6.5x55 moose load

[gerry]

We found out today wife drew a cow and calf moose tag and she is going to use her 6.5x55 she shoots so well. We have some 155 gr Lapua Mega bullets and also some 156 gr Norma Oryx to load up. We have some H 4350, IMR 4451, IMR 4955, IMR 7977 and IMR 7828 to try out for powder. Might even consider the 120 gr TTSX for this since we have a box. I know many moose have fallen to the 6.5x55 in Scandinavian countries so am excited to see it perform on our moose.

Thoughts on the bullets and powders?

I drew a big fat zero this year btw :lol: 0 for 5

 

[DrMike]

No draws for me, Gerry. My usual. I should imagine that Maria will be well prepared with either bullet you mentioned. Either is bonded, and that should help with penetration.

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 156, Norma ORYX 66524
Useable Case Capaci: 52.900 grain H2O = 3.435 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : IMR 4955 Enduron

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   87    41.04   2292    1819   40514  10459     93.6    1.442
-09.0   87    41.50   2316    1858   41708  10594     94.1    1.422
-08.0   88    41.95   2341    1898   42936  10727     94.5    1.403
-07.0   89    42.41   2365    1937   44199  10858     94.9    1.383
-06.0   90    42.86   2389    1978   45498  10986     95.3    1.364
-05.0   91    43.32   2414    2018   46835  11113     95.7    1.345
-04.0   92    43.78   2438    2059   48210  11236     96.1    1.327  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   93    44.23   2463    2101   49624  11357     96.4    1.309  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   94    44.69   2487    2143   51080  11475     96.8    1.291  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   95    45.14   2511    2185   52579  11591     97.1    1.273  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   96    45.60   2536    2227   54121  11703     97.4    1.256  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   97    46.06   2560    2270   55708  11813     97.7    1.239  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   98    46.51   2584    2314   57343  11920     98.0    1.223  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   99    46.97   2609    2357   59026  12023     98.2    1.206  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  100    47.42   2633    2402   60759  12123     98.5    1.190  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  101    47.88   2657    2446   62544  12220     98.7    1.175  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     96    45.60   2647    2428   63051  11672     99.9    1.173  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     96    45.60   2391    1980   45356  11239     91.4    1.363


Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 156, Norma ORYX 66524
Useable Case Capaci: 52.900 grain H2O = 3.435 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: 54350 psi, or 374 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
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 !

32 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
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N570                    106.8     54.9     3.56    2710    94.3    54350   14901   1.240  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  110.0     58.2     3.77    2703    95.3    54350   14787   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 108.7     57.5     3.73    2700    94.6    54350   14773   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    110.3     54.1     3.50    2696   100.0    54350   13620   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        110.3     54.1     3.50    2696   100.0    54350   13620   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2218                        110.1     57.2     3.71    2691    93.5    54350   15087   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26                  94.7     49.6     3.22    2681   100.0    54350   13121   1.259  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 103.2     50.0     3.24    2666   100.0    54350   12777   1.243  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        105.6     51.5     3.34    2665    98.5    54350   13628   1.256  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        105.6     51.5     3.34    2665    98.5    54350   13628   1.256  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          112.0     53.8     3.49    2665    99.5    51255   13954   1.282  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                100.5     52.3     3.39    2662    98.5    54350   13417   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  100.4     52.2     3.39    2661    98.6    54350   13393   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                           95.4     48.5     3.14    2657    99.7    54350   13209   1.256  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       112.0     56.4     3.65    2653    95.5    51644   14364   1.271  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70                   92.5     48.0     3.11    2652    99.9    54350   12820   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                     97.0     48.3     3.13    2650    97.6    54350   13458   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     97.5     50.6     3.28    2645    96.3    54350   13568   1.256  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        96.0     48.1     3.11    2643    98.1    54350   13075   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           101.4     48.1     3.11    2643    98.1    54350   13075   1.238  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        101.1     51.2     3.32    2631    98.2    54350   12891   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50                 112.0     59.1     3.83    2631    92.6    49596   14792   1.310  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation        97.2     47.9     3.10    2630    99.0    54350   12965   1.257  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                  97.2     47.9     3.10    2630    99.0    54350   12965   1.257  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                        97.2     47.9     3.10    2630    99.0    54350   12965   1.257  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         96.9     47.8     3.09    2630    97.9    54350   12933   1.237  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                         99.8     48.1     3.12    2630    98.9    54350   12981   1.257  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      99.8     48.1     3.12    2630    98.9    54350   12981   1.257  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      106.3     51.3     3.32    2629    98.2    54350   12854   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        106.3     51.3     3.32    2629    98.2    54350   12854   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      97.8     52.0     3.37    2626    99.5    54350   12575   1.246  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                  99.5     47.5     3.08    2606   100.0    54350   11741   1.264  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                       98.4     47.6     3.09    2601    97.6    54350   12630   1.256  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       100.4     49.9     3.23    2601    96.0    54350   12735   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         93.6     45.4     2.94    2594    98.8    54350   12240   1.245  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   108.6     56.4     3.66    2593    87.4    54350   13156   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                  93.9     45.8     2.97    2590    98.9    54350   12291   1.254  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                 90.3     45.5     2.95    2588    99.9    54350   12010   1.260  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          94.6     46.2     2.99    2585    98.9    54350   12213   1.254  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16                  90.9     43.2     2.80    2582   100.0    54350   11402   1.268  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                       99.3     47.0     3.05    2572    97.3    54350   12156   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    95.4     47.0     3.05    2572    97.3    54350   12156   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                        91.0     44.1     2.86    2572   100.0    54350   11046   1.275  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           92.0     44.9     2.91    2570    98.7    54350   11973   1.254  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                         92.0     44.9     2.91    2570    98.7    54350   11973   1.254  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 112.0     57.8     3.74    2568    84.5    51735   13743   1.316  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170                    109.0     52.6     3.41    2562    92.6    54350   12545   1.270  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                        94.2     46.4     3.01    2560    99.4    54350   11791   1.276  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              93.2     47.9     3.10    2556    98.8    54350   11766   1.259  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         103.0     47.5     3.08    2551    99.9    54350   11522   1.292  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       97.4     47.5     3.08    2551    99.9    54350   11522   1.292  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                     99.4     48.0     3.11    2550    99.2    54350   11564   1.264  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            93.4     43.6     2.83    2548   100.0    54350   11132   1.279  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       92.8     44.6     2.89    2545    98.0    54350   11672   1.255  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         106.2     55.7     3.61    2539    88.6    54350   12221   1.255  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                    96.3     45.7     2.96    2539    97.5    54350   11719   1.254  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                     99.2     46.4     3.01    2533    97.9    54350   11497   1.258  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 91.4     43.1     2.80    2529   100.0    54350   10500   1.269  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                        92.1     47.8     3.10    2522    97.2    54350   11492   1.267  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     112.0     58.2     3.77    2518    85.8    49585   12872   1.300  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      112.0     55.4     3.59    2513    81.6    49648   12857   1.299  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron                   101.0     48.7     3.16    2488    90.3    54350   11303   1.256  ! Near Maximum !

Not a speed demon, but it should penetrate very well indeed.

 

[gerry]

Thanks for the info DrMike, too bad you didn't draw either. Looking at Hodgdon's data it would appear that IMR 4955, 7828 and 7977 would be the best choices for the powders we have on hand and your data seems to confirm that. I'm definitely leaning towards the 156 gr Norma Oryx but can't see why the 155 gr Lapua Mega wouldn't be good as well.

 

[DrMike]

I'm biased in favour of Norma. The Lapua Mega is a fine bullet that will stand up to what you're asking it to do.

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 156, Norma ORYX 66524
Useable Case Capaci: 52.900 grain H2O = 3.435 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : IMR 7977 Enduron

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   91    43.83   2220    1708   39458   9838     84.5    1.464
-09.0   92    44.32   2246    1748   40718   9990     85.1    1.442
-08.0   93    44.80   2273    1789   42022  10140     85.8    1.420
-07.0   94    45.29   2299    1831   43369  10289     86.4    1.398
-06.0   95    45.78   2325    1873   44764  10437     86.9    1.377
-05.0   96    46.27   2352    1916   46206  10584     87.5    1.356
-04.0   97    46.75   2378    1959   47699  10729     88.1    1.336  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   98    47.24   2405    2004   49244  10873     88.7    1.316  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   99    47.73   2432    2049   50844  11014     89.2    1.296  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  100    48.21   2459    2094   52501  11154     89.8    1.276  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  101    48.70   2486    2140   54217  11292     90.3    1.257  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  102    49.19   2513    2187   55996  11428     90.8    1.238  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  103    49.67   2540    2235   57840  11561     91.3    1.220  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  104    50.16   2567    2283   59752  11693     91.8    1.202  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  105    50.65   2594    2332   61735  11821     92.3    1.184  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  106    51.14   2622    2381   63793  11947     92.8    1.166  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    101    48.70   2621    2380   63427  11755     96.1    1.169  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    101    48.70   2323    1870   45314  10449     82.0    1.368


Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 156, Norma ORYX 66524
Useable Case Capaci: 52.900 grain H2O = 3.435 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : IMR 4451 Enduron

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   77    36.90   2285    1809   41080   9988     97.5    1.436
-09.0   77    37.31   2307    1844   42191  10097     97.8    1.418
-08.0   78    37.72   2329    1880   43329  10203     98.0    1.400
-07.0   79    38.13   2351    1915   44494  10307     98.3    1.382
-06.0   80    38.54   2373    1951   45686  10408     98.5    1.364
-05.0   81    38.95   2395    1987   46907  10507     98.7    1.347  ! Near Maximum !
-04.0   82    39.36   2417    2023   48158  10604     98.9    1.330  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   83    39.77   2439    2060   49438  10697     99.1    1.313  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   83    40.18   2460    2097   50748  10788     99.3    1.297  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   84    40.59   2482    2134   52091  10877     99.4    1.282  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   85    41.00   2503    2171   53465  10962     99.5    1.266  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   86    41.41   2525    2208   54872  11044     99.7    1.250  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   87    41.82   2546    2245   56314  11124     99.8    1.236  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   88    42.23   2567    2283   57790  11200     99.8    1.221  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   88    42.64   2588    2321   59302  11274     99.9    1.206  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0   89    43.05   2609    2359   60852  11344     99.9    1.192  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     85    41.00   2589    2323   61376  10681    100.0    1.189  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     85    41.00   2383    1967   45544  10842     95.9    1.365

 

[Europe]

Gerry,

I can tell from personal experience that the 156 gr oryx--norma mrp powder ( which you did not list )--6.5 x 55 is a good moose combination

I wish her the best of luck on her hunt.

 

[Anonymous]

Best of luck on the moose!

I'm certain you can find something to do the trick with either the Mega or the Oryx cruising along in the 2500fps range. I've had very good results with 4955 in other cartridges with very low ES numbers and virtually no temperature variations.

 

[sask boy]

Gerry please congratulate Maria for us it should be a great time for you both :wink:. That Swede will do a dandy number on a cow or calf this coming fall.
I did not draw a tag here in Saskatchewan but did not expect to because it take time to get back up into the Super A pool :shock:.
Both my boys were in Super A and this is their third year but they did not get drawn for either Moose or Mule Deer which is disappointing.
Anyways I am sure looking forward to your story of this upcoming Moose hunt .
PS. Lots of Photos as well :mrgreen:.


Blessings,
Dan

 

[truck driver]

Good luck to Maria on filling her tags and good luck to you find the right load to get the job done.

 

[SJB358]

Seems like any of them should work great Gerry.

Congrats to Maria on the tag. Can’t wait to hear how it works.

 

[nvbroncrider]

That's in a tikka right Gerry? I think Scotty did some work with heavies in his Swede with RL-26 if I recall. Might try a 160 woody too.

 

[gbflyer]

140gr Nosler Partition

 

[AFG270]

Congratulations to your wife, Gerry. Let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[noslerpartition]

The mega is not bonded - but still a sturdy bullet. If distances get longer, well. They have a bc like a wardrobe...

We used AccuBond with the swede, but they were not asked for.



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