6.5x55SE Powder Choice

[azsixshooter]

I'm planning to pick up a pound of powder on my way home for loading hunting rounds for my Swede using 129 grain Hornady Interlock bullets. I normally use Vihtavuori N560 and N160 for the Swede but I'm interested in trying something new. The LGS I'm stopping at has H4831 and IMR 7828 available. I have seen both listed as good powders for the Swede. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which one to try. I think they are pretty close in price, within a $10 difference anyway. Thanks in advance for your sagely advice!

 

[jimbires]

I don't load for the 6.5 Swed. I looked at quickload , if you decide on IMR7828 get the IMR7828ssc ,it's short cut . this will help fitting a max load in the case . velocity wise , IMR7828ssc gives very close to the same as N560 . H4831 gives about 100 FPS less velocity , but has a good case fill . another powder that shows up right beside the IMR7828's is magpro , it also has a good case fill . I'm not sure in your local , but magpro was fairly easy to find through the tough time.

 

[SJB358]

I'm planning to pick up a pound of powder on my way home for loading hunting rounds for my Swede using 129 grain Hornady Interlock bullets. I normally use Vihtavuori N560 and N160 for the Swede but I'm interested in trying something new. The LGS I'm stopping at has H4831 and IMR 7828 available. I have seen both listed as good powders for the Swede. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which one to try. I think they are pretty close in price, within a $10 difference anyway. Thanks in advance for your sagely advice!

I like both in the Swede, but 7828 is real good for mine, accuracy and speed wise.

Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 129, Hornady SP 2620
Useable Case Capaci: 54.185 grain H2O = 3.518 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4831 *T

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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

-20.0 86 41.60 2298 1512 31148 9740 84.8 1.480
-18.0 88 42.64 2358 1593 33302 10094 86.3 1.439
-16.0 90 43.68 2419 1676 35612 10441 87.7 1.399
-14.0 92 44.72 2480 1762 38088 10782 89.0 1.357
-12.0 94 45.76 2542 1851 40746 11113 90.3 1.314
-10.0 96 46.80 2604 1942 43602 11435 91.6 1.272
-08.0 99 47.84 2666 2036 46675 11745 92.7 1.232
-06.0 101 48.88 2729 2133 49983 12042 93.8 1.193
-04.0 103 49.92 2792 2233 53547 12324 94.8 1.155
-02.0 105 50.96 2855 2335 57393 12591 95.7 1.119 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 52.00 2919 2440 61549 12840 96.6 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 53.04 2982 2548 66050 13070 97.3 1.049 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 111 54.08 3046 2658 70908 13279 98.0 1.017 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 114 55.12 3110 2771 76154 13467 98.6 0.985 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 116 56.16 3174 2886 81848 13631 99.1 0.954 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 118 57.20 3239 3004 88043 13769 99.5 0.924 !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 107 52.00 3067 2695 73689 12843 99.8 1.003 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 52.00 2727 2130 50231 12204 89.4 1.187

Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 129, Hornady SP 2620
Useable Case Capaci: 54.185 grain H2O = 3.518 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 7828

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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

-20.0 88 42.71 2346 1576 31120 10528 84.9 1.469
-18.0 90 43.78 2411 1664 33324 10929 86.6 1.428
-16.0 92 44.85 2476 1756 35693 11320 88.2 1.388
-14.0 95 45.92 2542 1850 38240 11700 89.7 1.347
-12.0 97 46.98 2608 1948 40984 12066 91.1 1.302
-10.0 99 48.05 2675 2050 43941 12417 92.4 1.259
-08.0 101 49.12 2742 2154 47132 12751 93.7 1.217
-06.0 103 50.19 2810 2261 50579 13065 94.8 1.177
-04.0 106 51.25 2878 2372 54307 13357 95.9 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 108 52.32 2946 2486 58346 13626 96.8 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 110 53.39 3014 2602 62729 13869 97.6 1.064 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 112 54.46 3083 2722 67493 14084 98.3 1.030 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 114 55.53 3151 2844 72682 14270 98.9 0.996 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 117 56.59 3220 2969 78345 14423 99.4 0.963 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 119 57.66 3288 3097 84536 14544 99.7 0.931 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 121 58.73 3356 3227 91327 14628 99.9 0.900 !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 110 53.39 3176 2890 76549 13628 100.0 0.979 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 53.39 2797 2240 50772 13236 90.2 1.173

 

[azsixshooter]

Thanks for the fast replies! Very much appreciated. I was in the shop on Friday and they did not have short cut in either option. Actually, their choices were pretty limited overall. I'll definitely get the short cut if possible. BTW, I am loading for a modern CZ 550 American so I'm not constrained to the pressure limits of older mausers in case anyone reading this is wondering. Thanks again!

 

[gerry]

Both are good but I would give IMR 7828 a slight edge. Have tried both before but settled on H 4350 in our Tikka since we had a good supply of it.

 

[AFG270]

If you are in Arizona you might check Bruno's, they show H4831sc and H4350 in stock, fyi.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Both good. MY Win Mod 70 Fwt liked H4831 better. Haven't tried either in my Tikka as of yet. If you can get some RL19 it does great in both of my 6.5x55 Dan.

 

[azsixshooter]

If you are in Arizona you might check Bruno's, they show H4831sc and H4350 in stock, fyi.

I wish I were still in Arizona! I used to live around West Deer Valley Rd and Veterans Highway so I was pretty close to Brunos and Robar and Ben Avery. I miss it there so much. Stuck in Michigan now.

I called another shop nearby and although they weren't open late enough for me to get there today they do have the H4831SC in stock. So I'm going to hold off and make a trip over there this weekend. I've heard the short cut meters well so I would prefer it for that reason and also for the reason given previously about it filling the case better.

I had a great load worked up for 130 grain Nosler Accubonds with N560 and another with N160 but it looks like the 130 grain NAB's are discontinued now. I got some factory seconds from Midway and worked up a great round with those and N160 but Midway refuses to tell me what manufacture those bullets were. I _think_ they are 130 grain Sierra Tipped Game King, but I'm not 100%. They shot very good though.

Now I got 100 factory seconds from Midway and I'm pretty sure they are Hornady 129 grain Interlocks. So at least if I can get them shooting with the 4831SC I'll have a good hunting round that should be easy to find, even if not as factory seconds. "Poor Man's Partition" lol.

 

[DrMike]

It sounds as if your rifle is a shooter if it digests such a variety or pills. Without a doubt, you should find an acceptable load pretty quickly.

 

[JD338]

I wish I were still in Arizona! I used to live around West Deer Valley Rd and Veterans Highway so I was pretty close to Brunos and Robar and Ben Avery. I miss it there so much. Stuck in Michigan now.

I called another shop nearby and although they weren't open late enough for me to get there today they do have the H4831SC in stock. So I'm going to hold off and make a trip over there this weekend. I've heard the short cut meters well so I would prefer it for that reason and also for the reason given previously about it filling the case better.

I had a great load worked up for 130 grain Nosler Accubonds with N560 and another with N160 but it looks like the 130 grain NAB's are discontinued now. I got some factory seconds from Midway and worked up a great round with those and N160 but Midway refuses to tell me what manufacture those bullets were. I _think_ they are 130 grain Sierra Tipped Game King, but I'm not 100%. They shot very good though.

Now I got 100 factory seconds from Midway and I'm pretty sure they are Hornady 129 grain Interlocks. So at least if I can get them shooting with the 4831SC I'll have a good hunting round that should be easy to find, even if not as factory seconds. "Poor Man's Partition" lol.

AZ,
Where in MI are you stuck?
I might have some suggestions for you.

JD338

 

[azsixshooter]

I'm in Pinckney, just south of Howell/Brighton area. I usually go to either Peacemakers in Howell or Huron Valley Guns in New Hudson. Peacemakers expanded their reloading section significantly and they have the 4831SC for $53/lb.

DrMike: I love this CZ 550 American. I bought it for $450 in Arizona and intended it to be my go-to rifle for antelope hunting. Now it is my do-everything rifle. I have a Trijicon TR20-2G scope on her and she shoots most everything I have tried sub-MOA. I've gotten .25 MOA 5 shot groups with the 130 Accubonds and N560 when I used to shoot at Ben Avery all the time. All the other loads I have worked up have ended up being sub-MOA, .5 TO .75 MOA if I do my part.

One exception, I tried working up a load for an Arizona 4A Bull Elk hunt in 2009 with N160 and Woodleigh's 160 grain Protected Point Weldcore and never could get really great results. I settled on a load that was good enough to hunt with at the ranges I was willing to shoot at, but I think my 1:8.6" rifle might have been a little slow for those golf pencil looking bullets. I would like to try again with something like 155 grain Lapua Megas or Norma Oryx and see what I can cook up. I'm also thinking that the 142 grain NAB might be the ultimate bullet for this gun if I can find a good powder that gets the speed up.

 

[DrMike]

CZ does produce an accurate firearm. I've only owned one, and someone wanted it worse than I did. They offered me a good price and it went down the road. While it wasn't wildly accurate, it was a fine rifle that produced an honest MOA.

 

[azsixshooter]

I'll never sell this one, I got really lucky with "Ingrid"!

At the time I was waffling between 25-06 and 6.5x55SE. The two things that made me choose the Swede were the availability of long, heavy bullets and (at the time) surplus ammo in battle packs that was cheap for plinking.

I think the single set trigger helps a lot as it reduces the trigger pull to what seems like mere ounces. I'm wanting to engine turn the bolt, magazine follower plate and extracter soon. She deserves the bling-bling ;-)

I just shot a little qualification test to use the 300 (soon to be 500) yd range at the Howell Gun Club. I used my handloads with the mystery 130 grain Tipped boat tail bullets from midway ahead of a charge of 47 grains of N160. At 300 yards the first two shots were touching then the 3rd was about 2.5" away. I know many people shoot better than that, but for me and my old eyes I was happy with it.

I zero my scope for a 285 yard MPBR when I hunt with my 130 grain NAB load and that will do anything I need to do on a whitetail here in Michigan. I think the old Colonel would find Ingrid "Interesting"

 

[gerry]

In our various 6.5's I've tried the 156 gr Oryx, 156 gr Vulkan and 155 gr Lapua Mega bullet and they all produced fine accuracy. All were 8 twists but I bet you'll be fine in a 1 in 8.6 with any of them.

 

[gerry]

At the time I was waffling between 25-06 and 6.5x55SE. The two things that made me choose the Swede were the availability of long, heavy bullets and (at the time) surplus ammo in battle packs that was cheap for plinking.

Got my first Swede in the mid 1990's for the same reason, the ability to load those heavy bullets if needed. Love the mild recoil, excellent accuracy and on game performance.

 

[SJB358]

I like my 6.5 Swede as well. Great shooting rifle that seems to do well with about anything from 120's to 155's so far.

 

[Blkram]

I had such good luck with the first powder (IMR 4350) I tried in my second 6.5x55 (Rem 700 Classic) that I started handloading for, that I never tried any other powders back in the mid 90s. (Max loads from Nosler and Barnes manuals with 140 Partitions and X Bullets)
I have yet to take time to start handloading for my LH Sako 85 Hunter in 6.5 Swede, but do have a good supply of 140 gr ABs for it. So far it is performing very well with Nosler 140 gr AB ammunition.
I have info for loads for this bullet with IMR 4350 for 2780 fps and H1000 for 2790 fps. Need to find data to try Re-26 too.

 

[SJB358]

I did some playing around with RL26 and the 140 Accubonds back a few years ago and using QL I came up with about 2890 with them. They shoot like crazy.

Or at least good enough for me.





This was using Hornady brass if I remember correct, and I dropped it a bit for the Lapua brass.

I’ve shot this load enough now to know anything subpar is on me more than the load.

 

[DrMike]

The accuracy is certainly there with that load.