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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > 6.5x55 first time reloading

6.5x55 first time reloading

30 Mar 2015
@ 02:43 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Well I have finally gotten round to setting up my anniversary Lee press. Have read the instructions and have All of Nathans books.
I have ADI 2209 Lapua brass, and 140gn A MAX bullets. I'm not going to rush into it and have spent time with getting familiar with the scales and all the other hand loading steps. I deprimed sized some Norma shells I had saved and trimmed them etc as per instructions. Fitted an empty case with projectile just wanted to feel my way through the process to get the idea of what to do. Have ordered an F1 chronograph from Reloading direct in Auckland. Will follow the Lee loading charge weights and see how it goes ? Have the ADI book as well. I see that adi2217 gives higher velocity than 2209. I think my Sako 75 has a good sized chamber because the brass I resized got really squeezed and I think I should just neck size as it's fire formed from my rifle and the spent cases chamber with ease. How far away from the lands is best for ogive bullet jump . I'm going to follow the books for now and get some holes in paper. The new sightron is fitted and wowed my hunting mate's. OK any thoughts on this would be great. Thanks for your help and support Nathan and all here on this forum. Warwick

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09 Oct 2015
@ 07:10 pm (GMT)

John Smith

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Next week I will be hunting mule or whitetail deer in
eastern Washington state. Using my Ruger No. 1A in
6.5x55 loaded with a Nosler 140 grain Partition bullet
and 46 grains of RL22 powder. Oal: 3.110", crimped.
This has been an excellent combo for me. Eight deer
in as many years. All one shot kills.
15 Oct 2015
@ 11:01 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
That's good John, Let us know how you get on?
I got a couple of Fellow last night. 140 gr A-max 46grains AR2209





15 Oct 2015
@ 11:06 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
22 Oct 2015
@ 08:36 pm (GMT)

John Smith

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Again this year my 6.5x55 loaded with a 140 grain Nosler Partition
bullet made a one shot kill on a whitetail. Norma case with 46.5 grains
of RL-22, OAL 3.ll0" , crimped. Accurate and deadly.
23 Oct 2015
@ 12:38 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Well done John.
06 Jan 2020
@ 01:01 am (GMT)

Sully

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Quote:
Hey Warwick, great to hear from you.

COAL will need to be 79.5mm (remember to jot down the proj length based on averages as per the book).

Test loads from 44 to 46.5gr 2209 in your rifle. It has a nice strong action and standard throat etc.

This one should be smooth sailing with a bit of luck.


Hi Nathan. I'm new to reloading and I'm trying to understand how you came to the 79.5mm for COAL mentioned as above be required. I've read your books and hoping you can enlighten me. Thanks. Really appreciate your work.
06 Jan 2020
@ 07:38 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Hi Sully, this is stretching the memory a bit but let's see.

Warwick's rifle was (is) as Saako 75 stainless. The max OAL with the 140gr A-MAX (ELD-M) was 82mm as he quoted it. This is actually the same OAL as a military M94 rifle.

If Warwick was to seat to the lands, the projectile would be too far out of the case neck. The neck would have a poor grip on the bullet. the ammo could also be easily bumped and bent out of concentricity during handling. So I suggested he seat his ammo so that the bullet boattail / bearing surface junction is flush with the case shoulder / neck junction. In the past I have called this 'seating for concentricity' (rather than seating to the lands), though it is not an altogether suitable term. This subject was covered in the reloading book, utilizing the .308 Winchester as an example.

Another factor to take into consideration is that the M94 rifle mag length is only 82mm. If you seat you ammo to this length, it will jam in the magazine. Ammo must must be seated shorter than the mag length to feed smoothly.

A final consideration is that sometimes, the max OAL of a 6.5x55 rifle may be as short as 79.5mm. It is therefore important to check the OAL for yourself rather than going off quoted numbers online etc.

Seating for concentricity versus seating to the lands is discussed in detail within the reloading book. Other factors pertaining to the Swede can be found in your cartridges book.

Hope that helps a bit Sully.

06 Jan 2020
@ 08:19 am (GMT)

John Smith

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
I have found Hornady 143 gr. ELD-X and RL-22 powder gives
me excellent results on paper and deer in my Ruger 1A in 6.5x55. With a 22inch barrel. I crimp my finished rounds. Not sure if it helps. My
COAL is 3.110"



06 Jan 2020
@ 08:19 am (GMT)

John Smith

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
I have found Hornady 143 gr. ELD-X and RL-22 powder gives
me excellent results on paper and deer in my Ruger 1A in 6.5x55. With a 22inch barrel. I crimp my finished rounds. Not sure if it helps. My
COAL is 3.110"



06 Jan 2020
@ 08:38 am (GMT)

John Smith

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
I get excellent results on paper and deer with my Ruger 1A in
6.5x55 using Lapua brass, Hornady 143 Gr. ELD-X and RL-22
powder. With a COAL of 3.110". I crimp my finished rounds.
Not sure if that helps
09 Jan 2020
@ 11:36 pm (GMT)

Jesse Sully

Re: 6.5x55 first time reloading
Quote:
Hi Sully, this is stretching the memory a bit but let's see.

Warwick's rifle was (is) as Saako 75 stainless. The max OAL with the 140gr A-MAX (ELD-M) was 82mm as he quoted it. This is actually the same OAL as a military M94 rifle.

If Warwick was to seat to the lands, the projectile would be too far out of the case neck. The neck would have a poor grip on the bullet. the ammo could also be easily bumped and bent out of concentricity during handling. So I suggested he seat his ammo so that the bullet boattail / bearing surface junction is flush with the case shoulder / neck junction. In the past I have called this 'seating for concentricity' (rather than seating to the lands), though it is not an altogether suitable term. This subject was covered in the reloading book, utilizing the .308 Winchester as an example.

Another factor to take into consideration is that the M94 rifle mag length is only 82mm. If you seat you ammo to this length, it will jam in the magazine. Ammo must must be seated shorter than the mag length to feed smoothly.

A final consideration is that sometimes, the max OAL of a 6.5x55 rifle may be as short as 79.5mm. It is therefore important to check the OAL for yourself rather than going off quoted numbers online etc.

Seating for concentricity versus seating to the lands is discussed in detail within the reloading book. Other factors pertaining to the Swede can be found in your cartridges book.

Hope that helps a bit Sully.



Thanks Nathan. My weatherby vanguard has OAL of 83mm, so i was seating at 78.5mm based on your advice for concentricity. I'll try 79.5mm.
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