New rifle, new (to me) cartridge… 6.5x55

[nhenry]

I used to own a Sako 85 Bavarian in 25-06. Sold it stupidly and have regretted it ever since.

Well, found something and immediately bought it. Should be here tomorrow.

It’s a Sako 90 Bavarian in 6.5x55 Swede. Lefty, of course.


Can one of you fine gents run a QL for me?
-127gr LRX at 63k PSI, want to see what powders would be best for the task.

 

[ElmerThud]

Cool rifle - 43gns Viht N550 or 46gns IMR4350 work well in 6.55x55SE

 

[sako2]

Nice find. I'm loading my 6.5x55 with a 129gn hornady interlock and 6.5 staball. Dr Mike ran it on QL 48gn was approaching 3000fps. I back it down to 46gn as i didn't need that kind of speed from it. Shoots very well.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Nice looking rifle and a good caliber for sure. It's a versatile cartridge both light and heavy bullets do well. Several powders work such as RL22, RL19, IMR4831, H4831, H4350, IMR4350, Win Stabal6.5 to name a few. I have found it is best to use European made brass such as Lapua or Norma as the American made stuff is usually about three thousand undersized at the base. If your rifle has a tight chamber than you wouldn't see much difference. You will like this rifle.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 127, Barnes 'LRX'BT 30228
Useable Case Capaci: 51.356 grain H2O = 3.334 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              105.7     53.8     3.49    3083   100.0    63000   13477   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       106.4     52.6     3.41    3051    99.3    63000   13524   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 108.1     52.3     3.39    3035    96.7    63000   13670   1.063  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T                96.5     47.9     3.11    3025   100.0    63000   12068   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C                99.3     50.1     3.25    3024   100.0    63000   12647   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    108.3     54.5     3.53    3023    95.1    63000   13677   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       106.4     51.7     3.35    3015    97.0    63000   13216   1.057  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  110.0     55.6     3.60    3011    97.4    62154   13368   1.063  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                110.0     55.6     3.60    3006    97.2    61789   13369   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               95.5     47.4     3.07    3001   100.0    63000   11988   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            95.5     47.4     3.07    3001   100.0    63000   11988   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        107.3     51.3     3.33    2999    96.9    63000   13066   1.056  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T               100.6     46.4     3.00    2996   100.0    63000   11995   1.062  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T           100.6     46.4     3.00    2996   100.0    63000   11995   1.062  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     107.7     55.5     3.60    2990    98.8    63000   12642   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               107.2     49.8     3.23    2987   100.0    63000   12187   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           110.0     50.9     3.30    2985   100.0    61942   11954   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T               110.0     50.9     3.30    2985   100.0    61942   11954   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     110.0     51.5     3.34    2976    97.8    60407   13118   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        110.0     51.5     3.34    2976    97.8    60407   13118   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   98.9     49.1     3.18    2974   100.0    63000   12116   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                101.1     49.4     3.20    2973    99.5    63000   12375   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 97.1     48.9     3.17    2971    99.7    63000   12301   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        104.1     49.0     3.18    2970    98.1    63000   12489   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     100.3     49.0     3.18    2969    99.7    63000   12283   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              104.8     49.6     3.21    2969    98.2    63000   12574   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       102.2     48.1     3.12    2968   100.0    63000   11451   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      105.2     49.4     3.20    2968    98.3    63000   12487   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        94.7     47.4     3.07    2965    99.3    63000   12298   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      94.7     47.4     3.07    2965    99.3    63000   12298   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               110.0     56.0     3.63    2965    98.5    54735   14146   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         105.5     50.0     3.24    2963    98.2    63000   12481   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        99.8     46.7     3.03    2951   100.0    63000   11792   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          99.8     46.8     3.03    2951   100.0    63000   11789   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                97.0     46.9     3.04    2950   100.0    63000   11932   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        110.0     54.1     3.50    2948    96.5    60720   12771   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       99.0     46.9     3.04    2947   100.0    63000   11769   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         97.3     46.0     2.98    2946    99.9    63000   11772   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        99.3     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        102.6     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          102.6     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     50.6     3.28    2939    96.0    58091   12953   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                105.8     50.6     3.28    2938    96.2    63000   12288   1.067  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   110.0     50.6     3.28    2936    96.2    62802   12278   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       105.0     50.3     3.26    2934    98.9    63000   12059   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           104.7     47.5     3.08    2933   100.0    63000   11542   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation    110.0     53.1     3.44    2931    94.2    61241   12660   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      108.3     51.3     3.32    2925    99.7    63000   11782   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation    100.1     48.1     3.12    2924    99.1    63000   11846   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             103.1     51.5     3.34    2920    98.0    63000   11908   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     53.5     3.47    2914    95.5    56321   13188   1.136  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                102.5     46.9     3.04    2913   100.0    63000   10866   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      103.3     48.2     3.12    2912    97.0    63000   11881   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                  96.9     46.8     3.03    2910   100.0    63000   11184   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350               99.3     46.5     3.01    2909    99.3    63000   11660   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          99.3     46.5     3.01    2909    99.3    63000   11660   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        92.1     44.6     2.89    2907   100.0    63000   11370   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 110.0     51.5     3.34    2906    98.5    62201   11717   1.084  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              107.0     49.3     3.19    2902    96.4    63000   11900   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       92.5     44.3     2.87    2898   100.0    63000   10940   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          92.5     44.3     2.87    2898   100.0    63000   10940   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       94.6     44.3     2.87    2893   100.0    63000   10857   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        94.7     43.9     2.84    2889   100.0    63000   10862   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle           98.2     45.5     2.95    2887    99.8    63000   11247   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          98.2     45.5     2.95    2887    99.8    63000   11247   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          97.0     45.1     2.92    2887    98.9    63000   11436   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       97.0     45.1     2.92    2887    98.9    63000   11436   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        93.9     45.1     2.92    2886    98.9    63000   11428   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                       102.1     51.5     3.34    2878    96.2    63000   11609   1.084  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       92.0     42.6     2.76    2855   100.0    63000   10263   1.122  ! Near Maximum !

 

[AFG270]

Nice rifle, Noah!

 

[Slimfinn]

Love the Sako's great looking rifle!

 

[JD338]

Congratulations on your Sako 6.5x55.
Beautiful rifle and should be a shooter.

JD338

 

[nhenry]

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 127, Barnes 'LRX'BT 30228
Useable Case Capaci: 51.356 grain H2O = 3.334 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              105.7     53.8     3.49    3083   100.0    63000   13477   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       106.4     52.6     3.41    3051    99.3    63000   13524   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 108.1     52.3     3.39    3035    96.7    63000   13670   1.063  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T                96.5     47.9     3.11    3025   100.0    63000   12068   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C                99.3     50.1     3.25    3024   100.0    63000   12647   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    108.3     54.5     3.53    3023    95.1    63000   13677   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    108.4     51.9     3.36    3016    98.3    63000   13232   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       106.4     51.7     3.35    3015    97.0    63000   13216   1.057  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  110.0     55.6     3.60    3011    97.4    62154   13368   1.063  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                110.0     55.6     3.60    3006    97.2    61789   13369   1.066  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               95.5     47.4     3.07    3001   100.0    63000   11988   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            95.5     47.4     3.07    3001   100.0    63000   11988   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        107.3     51.3     3.33    2999    96.9    63000   13066   1.056  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T               100.6     46.4     3.00    2996   100.0    63000   11995   1.062  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T           100.6     46.4     3.00    2996   100.0    63000   11995   1.062  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     107.7     55.5     3.60    2990    98.8    63000   12642   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               107.2     49.8     3.23    2987   100.0    63000   12187   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           110.0     50.9     3.30    2985   100.0    61942   11954   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T               110.0     50.9     3.30    2985   100.0    61942   11954   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     110.0     51.5     3.34    2976    97.8    60407   13118   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        110.0     51.5     3.34    2976    97.8    60407   13118   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   98.9     49.1     3.18    2974   100.0    63000   12116   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                101.1     49.4     3.20    2973    99.5    63000   12375   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 97.1     48.9     3.17    2971    99.7    63000   12301   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        104.1     49.0     3.18    2970    98.1    63000   12489   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     100.3     49.0     3.18    2969    99.7    63000   12283   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              104.8     49.6     3.21    2969    98.2    63000   12574   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       102.2     48.1     3.12    2968   100.0    63000   11451   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      105.2     49.4     3.20    2968    98.3    63000   12487   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        94.7     47.4     3.07    2965    99.3    63000   12298   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      94.7     47.4     3.07    2965    99.3    63000   12298   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               110.0     56.0     3.63    2965    98.5    54735   14146   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         105.5     50.0     3.24    2963    98.2    63000   12481   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        99.8     46.7     3.03    2951   100.0    63000   11792   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          99.8     46.8     3.03    2951   100.0    63000   11789   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                97.0     46.9     3.04    2950   100.0    63000   11932   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        110.0     54.1     3.50    2948    96.5    60720   12771   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       99.0     46.9     3.04    2947   100.0    63000   11769   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         97.3     46.0     2.98    2946    99.9    63000   11772   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        99.3     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        102.6     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          102.6     48.6     3.15    2944    97.9    63000   12227   1.070  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     50.6     3.28    2939    96.0    58091   12953   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                105.8     50.6     3.28    2938    96.2    63000   12288   1.067  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   110.0     50.6     3.28    2936    96.2    62802   12278   1.068  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       105.0     50.3     3.26    2934    98.9    63000   12059   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           104.7     47.5     3.08    2933   100.0    63000   11542   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation    110.0     53.1     3.44    2931    94.2    61241   12660   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      108.3     51.3     3.32    2925    99.7    63000   11782   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation    100.1     48.1     3.12    2924    99.1    63000   11846   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             103.1     51.5     3.34    2920    98.0    63000   11908   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     53.5     3.47    2914    95.5    56321   13188   1.136  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                102.5     46.9     3.04    2913   100.0    63000   10866   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      103.3     48.2     3.12    2912    97.0    63000   11881   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                  96.9     46.8     3.03    2910   100.0    63000   11184   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350               99.3     46.5     3.01    2909    99.3    63000   11660   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          99.3     46.5     3.01    2909    99.3    63000   11660   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        92.1     44.6     2.89    2907   100.0    63000   11370   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 110.0     51.5     3.34    2906    98.5    62201   11717   1.084  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              107.0     49.3     3.19    2902    96.4    63000   11900   1.073  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       92.5     44.3     2.87    2898   100.0    63000   10940   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          92.5     44.3     2.87    2898   100.0    63000   10940   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       94.6     44.3     2.87    2893   100.0    63000   10857   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        94.7     43.9     2.84    2889   100.0    63000   10862   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle           98.2     45.5     2.95    2887    99.8    63000   11247   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          98.2     45.5     2.95    2887    99.8    63000   11247   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          97.0     45.1     2.92    2887    98.9    63000   11436   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       97.0     45.1     2.92    2887    98.9    63000   11436   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        93.9     45.1     2.92    2886    98.9    63000   11428   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                       102.1     51.5     3.34    2878    96.2    63000   11609   1.084  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       92.0     42.6     2.76    2855   100.0    63000   10263   1.122  ! Near Maximum !

Appreciated, Dr Mike!

 

[nhenry]

Curious, and this isn’t from the data provided, most load data I see includes H1000 and I see RL26 often, but I never see anything about Retumbo which is in the same burn range. Why is this?

 

[DrMike]

Curious, and this isn’t from the data provided, most load data I see includes H1000 and I see RL26 often, but I never see anything about Retumbo which is in the same burn range. Why is this?

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 127, Barnes 'LRX'BT 30228
Useable Case Capaci: 51.356 grain H2O = 3.334 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon Retumbo

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0  109    52.02   2675    2017   42211  12563     94.7    1.276
-09.0  111    52.60   2713    2076   43887  12733     95.4    1.252
-08.0  112    53.18   2752    2135   45641  12894     96.1    1.228
-07.0  113    53.75   2791    2196   47479  13045     96.8    1.205
-06.0  114    54.33   2830    2258   49406  13186     97.3    1.182
-05.0  115    54.91   2869    2320   51426  13315     97.9    1.160
-04.0  117    55.49   2908    2384   53545  13432     98.3    1.138
-03.0  118    56.07   2947    2449   55779  13538     98.7    1.116  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  119    56.64   2986    2515   58124  13631     99.1    1.094  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  120    57.22   3025    2581   60591  13711     99.4    1.073  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  121    57.80   3065    2649   63189  13777     99.6    1.053  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  123    58.38   3104    2717   65927  13829     99.8    1.032  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  124    58.96   3143    2786   68816  13867     99.9    1.012  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  125    59.53   3182    2856   71865  13891    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  126    60.11   3221    2926   75088  13901    100.0    0.973  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  128    60.69   3261    2998   78498  13908    100.0    0.954  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    121    57.80   3163    2821   70424  13433    100.0    1.003  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    121    57.80   2945    2445   56562  13788     97.3    1.109  ! Near Maximum !

You will never get enough Retumbo in the case to reach maximum velocity.

 

[nhenry]

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 127, Barnes 'LRX'BT 30228
Useable Case Capaci: 51.356 grain H2O = 3.334 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon Retumbo

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0  109    52.02   2675    2017   42211  12563     94.7    1.276
-09.0  111    52.60   2713    2076   43887  12733     95.4    1.252
-08.0  112    53.18   2752    2135   45641  12894     96.1    1.228
-07.0  113    53.75   2791    2196   47479  13045     96.8    1.205
-06.0  114    54.33   2830    2258   49406  13186     97.3    1.182
-05.0  115    54.91   2869    2320   51426  13315     97.9    1.160
-04.0  117    55.49   2908    2384   53545  13432     98.3    1.138
-03.0  118    56.07   2947    2449   55779  13538     98.7    1.116  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  119    56.64   2986    2515   58124  13631     99.1    1.094  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  120    57.22   3025    2581   60591  13711     99.4    1.073  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  121    57.80   3065    2649   63189  13777     99.6    1.053  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  123    58.38   3104    2717   65927  13829     99.8    1.032  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  124    58.96   3143    2786   68816  13867     99.9    1.012  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  125    59.53   3182    2856   71865  13891    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  126    60.11   3221    2926   75088  13901    100.0    0.973  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  128    60.69   3261    2998   78498  13908    100.0    0.954  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    121    57.80   3163    2821   70424  13433    100.0    1.003  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    121    57.80   2945    2445   56562  13788     97.3    1.109  ! Near Maximum !

You will never get enough Retumbo in the case to reach maximum velocity.

That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Guy Miner]

What a great rifle and cartridge! Enjoy.

Guy

 

[Bruce Mc]

Very attractive and mechanically sound rifle in a very useful cartridge. Makes you want to learn Swede and go shoot a moose.

 

[nhenry]

Very attractive and mechanically sound rifle in a very useful cartridge. Makes you want to learn Swede and go shoot a moose.

Gonna take it to Czechia for mouflon eventually. Don’t know when, but it’ll happen

 

[Joe C.]

That’s a very handsome rifle Henry. Great find, I hope she shoots as nice as it looks.

 

[Blkram]

Nice find!
Very limited numbers get shipped to North America each year.
I tried for a few years to get the same rifle in 9.3x62. Finally went with a Hunter.

Your rifle should prove to be a shooter!
A mouflon hunt would be a great adventure with that rifle!
Would love to do a similar hunt with my LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M SE in 6.5x55! (And add a fallow buck to that hunt too!)

 

[gerry]

Between you @nhenry and @Blkram you guys sure have some nice lefty rifles! That's a beauty that you'll love. Easy cartridge to load for, powders in the various 4350's to the H 4831 sc are the best all around powders from what I have seen over the years.