Reloading for the 6.5x55
Moderator: dromia
Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.
Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.
Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
Reloading for the 6.5x55
Looking at 123 and 139 grain target bullet loads for the 6.5x55 - does anyone have any favourite loads to start with and has anyone tried Moly coating with them?
- Sandgroper
- Full-Bore UK Supporter
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 3:45 pm
- Location: Stanley, Falkland Islands
- Contact:
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
From my experience, avoid H4895 powder. Could not get the brass to obturate with that powder, for love nor money. Although there are recognised loads with it, I think it, too fast a powder for the 6.5x55.
Jenks should have some good loads to start with.
Jenks should have some good loads to start with.
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
Lieutenant General David Morrison
I plink, therefore I shoot.
Lieutenant General David Morrison
I plink, therefore I shoot.
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
My preference has to be Viht and ideally something in the cupboard so the types of powder I keep is kept to a minimum. I just ran the numbers through QuickLoad and N560 comes out quite well with both 123 and 139 Scenar's which I know are always going to be readily available. I can always go for Berger or SMK's however I have fallen into this trap before with the 170 Lockbase that shot so well then supplies dried up. :(
- Sandgroper
- Full-Bore UK Supporter
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 3:45 pm
- Location: Stanley, Falkland Islands
- Contact:
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
Viht would have been my preference with a bit more knowledge or research!
Looking at the Viht reloading manual N550 is the recommended powder for accuracy with those bullet (123 and 139) weights. Other powders mentioned N140, N540, N150, N160 for 123 grain.
For 139 grain; all of the above plus N560 and N165.
HTH

Looking at the Viht reloading manual N550 is the recommended powder for accuracy with those bullet (123 and 139) weights. Other powders mentioned N140, N540, N150, N160 for 123 grain.
For 139 grain; all of the above plus N560 and N165.
HTH
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
Lieutenant General David Morrison
I plink, therefore I shoot.
Lieutenant General David Morrison
I plink, therefore I shoot.
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
Dave..ovenpaa wrote:Looking at 123 and 139 grain target bullet loads for the 6.5x55 - does anyone have any favourite loads to start with and has anyone tried Moly coating with them?
Not doing much longer range shooting now, but still use the same load when I do.. 48grains of Rel 22. !39grain Lapua Scenar bullet or if not available i40 grain Matchkings.
.
Have a look at this from another Forum,,,

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/phpBB3/viewt ... 4&t=126977
Apart from one box of Lapau factory Ammunition I have never messed around with Moly coated Bullets.
Jenks
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
Dave
I have excellent results using 43.2 Grains of N160 with Hornady 140 Gr. A-Max heads when used in a 26" barrel (1:10 twist)
ATB Dave
I have excellent results using 43.2 Grains of N160 with Hornady 140 Gr. A-Max heads when used in a 26" barrel (1:10 twist)
ATB Dave
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
That sounds like a handy load, I think I have some A-Max's as well. Also welcome to the forumCad Monkey wrote:Dave
I have excellent results using 43.2 Grains of N160 with Hornady 140 Gr. A-Max heads when used in a 26" barrel (1:10 twist)
ATB Dave

Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
Dave
I have just came back from Kynoch testing Reloader 22 with the 6.5x55 and found great success (all less than 0.5 MOA) with the following loads:
1. R.22(48Gr.) + Hornady A-Max (140Gr.) Vel: 2705fps
2. R.22(46Gr.) + Lapua Scenar (139Gr.) Vel: 2590fps
3. R.22(48Gr.) + Lapua Scenar (139Gr.) Vel: 2679fps
4. R.22(45Gr.) + Sierra Matchkings (140Gr.) Vel: 2460 fps
5. R.22(47Gr.) + Sierra Matchkings (140Gr.) Vel: 2706 fps
I confirm that the above were achieved using a Sauer Jadgmatch with a 26" barrel (1:10 twist), if you like I could bring along all the test cards at the next Thetford meet so you can see the results of all the recipes I have tried to date with both N160 and Reloader 22.
I hope the above helps with your plight
atb Dave
I have just came back from Kynoch testing Reloader 22 with the 6.5x55 and found great success (all less than 0.5 MOA) with the following loads:
1. R.22(48Gr.) + Hornady A-Max (140Gr.) Vel: 2705fps
2. R.22(46Gr.) + Lapua Scenar (139Gr.) Vel: 2590fps
3. R.22(48Gr.) + Lapua Scenar (139Gr.) Vel: 2679fps
4. R.22(45Gr.) + Sierra Matchkings (140Gr.) Vel: 2460 fps
5. R.22(47Gr.) + Sierra Matchkings (140Gr.) Vel: 2706 fps
I confirm that the above were achieved using a Sauer Jadgmatch with a 26" barrel (1:10 twist), if you like I could bring along all the test cards at the next Thetford meet so you can see the results of all the recipes I have tried to date with both N160 and Reloader 22.
I hope the above helps with your plight
atb Dave
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
Sight of the test cards would be good, the tunnel range is perfect in that you should have impact from varying temperatures or wind, downside is I cannot get on with the lighting.
I am certainly looking at the 140SMK , 140 A-MAx or 139 Lapua, which one do you prefer at 100 and further?
I am certainly looking at the 140SMK , 140 A-MAx or 139 Lapua, which one do you prefer at 100 and further?
Re: Reloading for the 6.5x55
To be honest the results of all the loads listed above were almost identical (+/- 1mm), however I do sway towards the A-Max for longer ranges as it has the best bc.
With regards to the powder another good thing with the reloader 22 is that it burns a lot cleaner that the Viht powders I was using (N160 & N165), on the downside I was only paying £50/Kilo for the Viht
I'll make sure I remember to bring the test cards along at the next Thetford meet
With regards to the powder another good thing with the reloader 22 is that it burns a lot cleaner that the Viht powders I was using (N160 & N165), on the downside I was only paying £50/Kilo for the Viht

I'll make sure I remember to bring the test cards along at the next Thetford meet
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 3 guests