QL request… 6.5x55

[nhenry]

Hello all,

Could one of you swell fellas run a QL query for me with the following data? Not sure what all is actually beneficial to the program, but here:
6.5x55 Swede
130gr Scirocco II & 127gr LRX
H4831 (or the SC)
57.9g H2O capacity (lapua brass)
… 60k PSI

Thanks a bunch, looking forward to this

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 127, Barnes 'LRX'BT 30228
Useable Case Capaci: 52.255 grain H2O = 3.393 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H4831 SC *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   83    40.24   2328    1528   29904   8441     84.5    1.570
-18.0   85    41.25   2389    1609   31960   8744     86.0    1.527
-16.0   87    42.25   2449    1692   34165   9042     87.4    1.486
-14.0   89    43.26   2511    1778   36528   9333     88.7    1.445
-12.0   91    44.26   2573    1866   39066   9617     90.0    1.401
-10.0   93    45.27   2635    1958   41792   9891     91.3    1.356
-08.0   95    46.28   2697    2051   44724  10156     92.4    1.314
-06.0   97    47.28   2760    2148   47883  10410     93.5    1.273
-04.0   99    48.29   2823    2247   51287  10651     94.5    1.233  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  101    49.29   2886    2349   54961  10879     95.5    1.195  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  103    50.30   2950    2454   58933  11091     96.3    1.158  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  105    51.31   3013    2561   63232  11288     97.1    1.122  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  107    52.31   3077    2670   67896  11467     97.8    1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  109    53.32   3141    2782   72963  11627     98.4    1.054  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  112    54.32   3205    2897   78475  11767     98.9    1.021  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  114    55.33   3269    3014   84454  11886     99.3    0.990  !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    103    50.30   3101    2711   70766  11103     99.7    1.072  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    103    50.30   2755    2140   48163  10534     89.0    1.267

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet             : .264, 130, Swift Scirocco
Useable Case Capaci: 53.079 grain H2O = 3.446 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H4831 SC *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   82    40.32   2315    1547   30234   8580     85.4    1.574
-18.0   84    41.33   2374    1627   32270   8883     86.8    1.532
-16.0   86    42.34   2434    1710   34451   9180     88.2    1.491
-14.0   88    43.34   2494    1795   36786   9470     89.5    1.451
-12.0   90    44.35   2554    1883   39290   9753     90.7    1.412
-10.0   92    45.36   2615    1974   41975  10026     91.9    1.370
-08.0   94    46.37   2676    2067   44859  10290     93.0    1.327
-06.0   96    47.38   2737    2162   47959  10543     94.0    1.287
-04.0   98    48.38   2798    2261   51295  10783     95.0    1.247  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  100    49.39   2860    2361   54889  11009     95.9    1.209  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  102    50.40   2922    2464   58765  11221     96.7    1.172  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  104    51.41   2984    2570   62952  11416     97.4    1.137  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  106    52.42   3046    2678   67485  11594     98.1    1.102  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  108    53.42   3108    2788   72388  11754     98.6    1.069  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  110    54.43   3170    2901   77676  11894     99.1    1.037  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  112    55.44   3232    3016   83414  12013     99.4    1.005  !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    102    50.40   3068    2717   70353  11198     99.8    1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    102    50.40   2732    2155   48085  10690     89.6    1.282

 

[nhenry]

Thank you!

 

[AFG270]

Well, do we have a new rifle!

 

[SJB358]

Man, danged near a 270! Those are two I’d like to try in mine.

 

[nhenry]

Well, do we have a new rifle!

trying to see what the cartridge is capable of before deciding on chambering for the tikka. Just didn’t want to buy a more expensive 6.5 creedmoor

 

[gerry]

trying to see what the cartridge is capable of before deciding on chambering for the tikka. Just didn’t want to buy a more expensive 6.5 creedmoor

Certainly a step above the 6.5 Creedmoor in performance with its bigger case capacity. My wife's Tikka is a 6.5x55, lots of room in the magazine too. Great brass available as well, you'll love it!

 

[Blkram]

Honestly, if you are looking for a hunting cartridge for typical shooting distances, and aren't looking to shoot the high BC/VLD bullets at long range, you will be very happy with the Swede's performance. It performs pretty good for the casual shooter's target round too. (If you were looking to shoot a short action rifle in 6.5 cal and wanted to use those VLD bullets, the 6.5 CM would be a better choice)
Most 6.5x55 ammo with 140 gr bullets, is loaded to approx 2650 fps for safe use in the older mil-surp rifles. In modern rifles, with higher pressures safely achievable, velocities of approx 2780 can be achieved.
It has mild recoil, can be very accurate, and performs well on game. Not to mention it is a joy to shoot and hunt with.

I first got into serious handloading with this cartridge, and with my second rifle (Rem 700 Classic), used to shoot 500-700 rounds a year just practicing at the range out to 400 yards, aside from load development, sighting in, and hunting. I have more trigger time with the Swede than any other centerfire cartridge. That rifle would consistently put 5 140 gr X bullets into a 1" group at 200 yards, with book max loads of IMR-4350, in Norma cases and WLR primers. I didn't have access to a chrony back ten, so not sure what the velocity of that load was in that rifle. It also shot the 140 gr Partition well, but not quite as accurate as the X bullet. Later, when Hornady introduced the 139 gr Light Magnum Euro Spec ammo (pre-Superformance), it also produced sub-MOA 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

Today, I am on my 5th rifle in 6.5x55. It is a beautiful LH Mannlicher Model M FS Special Edition rifle that has the original QR rings, and has a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 B&C scope.


I look forward to seeing how it performs with 140 gr AccuBonds.

 

[ElmerThud]

Honestly, if you are looking for a hunting cartridge for typical shooting distances, and aren't looking to shoot the high BC/VLD bullets at long range, you will be very happy with the Swede's performance. It performs pretty good for the casual shooter's target round too. (If you were looking to shoot a short action rifle in 6.5 cal and wanted to use those VLD bullets, the 6.5 CM would be a better choice)
Most 6.5x55 ammo with 140 gr bullets, is loaded to approx 2650 fps for safe use in the older mil-surp rifles. In modern rifles, with higher pressures safely achievable, velocities of approx 2780 can be achieved.
It has mild recoil, can be very accurate, and performs well on game. Not to mention it is a joy to shoot and hunt with.

I first got into serious handloading with this cartridge, and with my second rifle (Rem 700 Classic), used to shoot 500-700 rounds a year just practicing at the range out to 400 yards, aside from load development, sighting in, and hunting. I have more trigger time with the Swede than any other centerfire cartridge. That rifle would consistently put 5 140 gr X bullets into a 1" group at 200 yards, with book max loads of IMR-4350, in Norma cases and WLR primers. I didn't have access to a chrony back ten, so not sure what the velocity of that load was in that rifle. It also shot the 140 gr Partition well, but not quite as accurate as the X bullet. Later, when Hornady introduced the 139 gr Light Magnum Euro Spec ammo (pre-Superformance), it also produced sub-MOA 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

Today, I am on my 5th rifle in 6.5x55. It is a beautiful LH Mannlicher Model M FS Special Edition rifle that has the original QR rings, and has a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 B&C scope.
View attachment 25077

I look forward to seeing how it performs with 140 gr AccuBonds.

Nice rifle, a left hooker, quite rare. Mannlicher's are just great. I have several, a Stutzen Classic in 6.5x55SE (The next model from yours) & 2 old Mannlicher Schoenauer's in 6.5x54 MSch... one a 'Takedown' is proofed in 1922 & the other a Stutzen proofed in 1936. They're very accurate out of the box.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

trying to see what the cartridge is capable of before deciding on chambering for the tikka. Just didn’t want to buy a more expensive 6.5 creedmoor

I believe you would be more than satisfied with the 6.5x55. It offers varied bullet weights at reasonable speeds and lots of bullets to try. Have 2 Swedes. Win Mod 70 FWT and bought a Tikka T3X stainless fluted in 2023. Tikka groups the best of the two (Win no slouch) RL 22,19, Win Stabal6.5, IMR and H4350 plus the 4831s all do well. Let us know what you decide and how it works for you.
Dan.

 

[gerry]

Honestly, if you are looking for a hunting cartridge for typical shooting distances, and aren't looking to shoot the high BC/VLD bullets at long range, you will be very happy with the Swede's performance. It performs pretty good for the casual shooter's target round too. (If you were looking to shoot a short action rifle in 6.5 cal and wanted to use those VLD bullets, the 6.5 CM would be a better choice)

A Tikka 6.5x55 uses the exact same 1 in 8 twist barrel that they use in the 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem or 6.5 PRC. The accuracy potential is exactly the same with any of them. I have loaded the 143 gr ELD-X in ours and it will handle any other high BC bullet that the others will handle.

American 6.5x55 factory loads are loaded mild but the Europeans load it to it's potential. They have also used the 6.5x55 for long range target shooting for years. If you want to shoot factory loads then the 6.5 Creedmoor does have a bit of an advantage. Some people like a short action but in a Tikka they are all long actions. A handloader will be able to get maximum performance out of it and you'll get lots of room in a Tikka magazine to load anything you would want.

PS, dibs on that beauty Steyr 6.5x55, that thing is gorgeous!

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

My son shot a nice red deer doe with the 6.5x55 with a 129sst a couple of weeks back. We needed a meat for the freezer and this mature deer was perfect. The shot was angling up and the bullet placement was a little high, perfect if on flat ground but the angle meant ideally he should have shot lower in a perfect world. Well that little bullet busted a huge hole in the offside shoulder up towards the spine and dropped her on the spot. Was probably 100 yards away. That weight bullet seems a good mix in the Swede. He is running 47 or 48 grains of h4831sc from memory for 2,760fps.

 

[Blkram]

Nice rifle, a left hooker, quite rare. Mannlicher's are just great. I have several, a Stutzen Classic in 6.5x55SE (The next model from yours) & 2 old Mannlicher Schoenauer's in 6.5x54 MSch... one a 'Takedown' is proofed in 1922 & the other a Stutzen proofed in 1936. They're very accurate out of the box.

Yes...
I have been looking for factory LH Mannlicher stocked rifle for many years (over 30!), and was surprised when I came across one a couple of years back (also a Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS, in 270 Win).
I acquired it, and it shoots the Federal 136 gr Terminal Ascent factory ammo into 0.678" groups @ 100 yards at 2792 fps out if its 20" barrel. (That's 208 fps slower than factory spec from a 24" barrel). While the wood is nowhere near as figured or fancy as on the SE, it has very nice, straight grain through the length of the stock.
It is currently sporting a Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 w/ the green dot reticle.

After some online research, I learned that Steyr had made the SE version in 6.5x55, and thought that the SE in 6.5.x55 (one of only two calibers offered in the SE) would definitely be a Bucket List rifle!

I had made a couple of posts on another forum here in Canada about the 270, and the previous owner of this Special Edition 6.5 x55 contacted me and stated that he was thinking of selling this rifle, and would I be interested. Of course, I responded "absolutely!"
When he was finally ready to sell several months later, I had to part with my LH Sako 85 in 6.5x55 as part of the deal to acquire this Unicorn, but I can replace the Sako down the road a lot easier than trying to find another one of these!
I still need to get out and shoot this rifle to sight it in and see how it shoots with the Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammunition. I am hoping it will be as accurate as the 270.

I am thinking that this will go back to New Zealand with me to hunt fallow buck, sika, rusa and sambar, when I finally am able to make that trip! (I took my LH Browning X Bolt All Weather in 6.5 Creedmoor to NZ in 2023 for red stag, and fallow buck for me, and arapawa rams for my wife. It worked very well on that hunt, so the Swede should be just fine n the next hunt there.)

 

[ElmerThud]

Yes...
I have been looking for factory LH Mannlicher stocked rifle for many years (over 30!), and was surprised when I came across one a couple of years back (also a Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS, in 270 Win).
I acquired it, and it shoots the Federal 136 gr Terminal Ascent factory ammo into 0.678" groups @ 100 yards at 2792 fps out if its 20" barrel. (That's 208 fps slower than factory spec from a 24" barrel). While the wood is nowhere near as figured or fancy as on the SE, it has very nice, straight grain through the length of the stock.
It is currently sporting a Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 w/ the green dot reticle.

After some online research, I learned that Steyr had made the SE version in 6.5x55, and thought that the SE in 6.5.x55 (one of only two calibers offered in the SE) would definitely be a Bucket List rifle!

I had made a couple of posts on another forum here in Canada about the 270, and the previous owner of this Special Edition 6.5 x55 contacted me and stated that he was thinking of selling this rifle, and would I be interested. Of course, I responded "absolutely!"
When he was finally ready to sell several months later, I had to part with my LH Sako 85 in 6.5x55 as part of the deal to acquire this Unicorn, but I can replace the Sako down the road a lot easier than trying to find another one of these!
I still need to get out and shoot this rifle to sight it in and see how it shoots with the Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammunition. I am hoping it will be as accurate as the 270.

I am thinking that this will go back to New Zealand with me to hunt fallow buck, sika, rusa and sambar, when I finally am able to make that trip! (I took my LH Browning X Bolt All Weather in 6.5 Creedmoor to NZ in 2023 for red stag, and fallow buck for me, and arapawa rams for my wife. It worked very well on that hunt, so the Swede should be just fine n the next hunt there.)

I've never tried 140gn SST's in my 6.5x55 so can't comment. I shoot reds, stags & hinds. fallow, roe, feral goats both male/female - pretty much all in Scotland. The reds can be very big Galloway stags, over 300lbs dressed out, most are not so big - hill stags really, however, all shot using Hornady 123gn SST - gives an MV of 2800 in my SM Classic, slightly flatter trajectory but knockdown power is there in spades! Usually range is around 200yds but can be +/-
It's an excellent cal/cartridge. I roll my own loads for everything & have done for 44yrs.
A good friend has a Sako 85 & I load his ammo for him... very accurate rifle, though personally, my interest lies with Mannlicher's.
If I know I'm gonna be shooting on open hill, nil or minimal cover, 300yds +/- then my absolute 'go to' rifle is my Blaser K95 in 25-06 & it works perfectly every time bringing the quarry down. Good luck in NZ when you go - last time I was there was 2019 & the terrain is more than I can handle now... wish I was 20 again but with a wiser head!!!!

 

[Blkram]

I've never tried 140gn SST's in my 6.5x55 so can't comment. I shoot reds, stags & hinds. fallow, roe, feral goats both male/female - pretty much all in Scotland. The reds can be very big Galloway stags, over 300lbs dressed out, most are not so big - hill stags really, however, all shot using Hornady 123gn SST - gives an MV of 2800 in my SM Classic, slightly flatter trajectory but knockdown power is there in spades! Usually range is around 200yds but can be +/-
It's an excellent cal/cartridge. I roll my own loads for everything & have done for 44yrs.
A good friend has a Sako 85 & I load his ammo for him... very accurate rifle, though personally, my interest lies with Mannlicher's.
If I know I'm gonna be shooting on open hill, nil or minimal cover, 300yds +/- then my absolute 'go to' rifle is my Blaser K95 in 25-06 & it works perfectly every time bringing the quarry down. Good luck in NZ when you go - last time I was there was 2019 & the terrain is more than I can handle now... wish I was 20 again but with a wiser head!!!!

Thanks!
Hunting in Scotland sounds like a great adventure! And is something I have thought about a bit, having read about red stag hunting there...but wasn't aware of the other hunting opportunities there. Would appreciate if you would share more on this topic (perhaps a new thread), with where to go, who to hunt with, best time of year, etc.

Since my average shot distance on game over the past 38 years is just 132 yards, the 20" barrel of the Steyr won't be a handicap. I really like my Sako rifles too for their features, smooth actions, and accuracy. They will all shoot better than I on most given days, and I appreciate that extra sense of confidence that they have provided me with in hunting over the years. I am looking forward to the Steyrs doing this too!

I built my 250AI for hunting antelope, and hopefully blackbuck and other similar sized exotics one day. The other cartridge I enjoy is the 257 Roberts, and look forward to owning another someday soon. Glad to hear that you enjoy great success with your 25-06 on a nice variety of game! (A cartridge I have not yet played with, but want to...and have always said that it would make a great pairing as a third to go with my 280 Rem and 338-06, based on the '06 case, for a 3 rifle battery for North America.)

 

[ElmerThud]

Thanks!
Hunting in Scotland sounds like a great adventure! And is something I have thought about a bit, having read about red stag hunting there...but wasn't aware of the other hunting opportunities there. Would appreciate if you would share more on this topic (perhaps a new thread), with where to go, who to hunt with, best time of year, etc.

Since my average shot distance on game over the past 38 years is just 132 yards, the 20" barrel of the Steyr won't be a handicap. I really like my Sako rifles too for their features, smooth actions, and accuracy. They will all shoot better than I on most given days, and I appreciate that extra sense of confidence that they have provided me with in hunting over the years. I am looking forward to the Steyrs doing this too!

I built my 250AI for hunting antelope, and hopefully blackbuck and other similar sized exotics one day. The other cartridge I enjoy is the 257 Roberts, and look forward to owning another someday soon. Glad to hear that you enjoy great success with your 25-06 on a nice variety of game! (A cartridge I have not yet played with, but want to...and have always said that it would make a great pairing as a third to go with my 280 Rem and 338-06, based on the '06 case, for a 3 rifle battery for North America.)

Commercial hunting in Scotland is quite expensive now.. friends & I did quite a few some years ago on Duchally, Corrour & Loch Choire estates between 2004 & 2012, but prices rose significantly after 2012. It's always with the estate stalker &/or his ghillie. Though after the estates realised we were competent hunters & knew what we were doing, what beast to shoot & what not to shoot, we were allowed to go on our own.
These days a decent red stag will cost £1000+ just to pull the trigger, then a trophy fee plus a decent tip for the stalker. The best time to go for stags is in the rut - end of September 1st couple of weeks of October. The sound of them roaring & clash of antlers when they fight is fantastic. But these times get booked up at least a year before. The interesting time is later in the year around November shooting hinds. It's more complicated & your fieldcraft needs to be spot on due to the many eyes looking for trouble. The plus side is it's not as expensive as stags & you'd shoot hinds & calfs. Year or 2 old hind followers are left alone as they're the upcoming breeding stock. Wounding is very expensive - so first shot must bring it down, so accuracy is essential. It's great sport though. Usually you'd be more or less guaranteed at least one per day, though with hinds, often you'd shoot several a day. It depends what the estate stalker wants done. I don't know what the current price for hinds is but I'd imagine at least £200 plus tax for each. Shooting is always around 9am to 3pm then clean up the carcasses back at the larder. https://georgegoldsmith.com/property/braeroy-estate/

 

[DrMike]

Very neat insight into what for me is a different twist on hunting. Thank you for posting ET.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Good Information and pictures.

 

[Blkram]

Commercial hunting in Scotland is quite expensive now.. friends & I did quite a few some years ago on Duchally, Corrour & Loch Choire estates between 2004 & 2012, but prices rose significantly after 2012. It's always with the estate stalker &/or his ghillie. Though after the estates realised we were competent hunters & knew what we were doing, what beast to shoot & what not to shoot, we were allowed to go on our own.
These days a decent red stag will cost £1000+ just to pull the trigger, then a trophy fee plus a decent tip for the stalker. The best time to go for stags is in the rut - end of September 1st couple of weeks of October. The sound of them roaring & clash of antlers when they fight is fantastic. But these times get booked up at least a year before. The interesting time is later in the year around November shooting hinds. It's more complicated & your fieldcraft needs to be spot on due to the many eyes looking for trouble. The plus side is it's not as expensive as stags & you'd shoot hinds & calfs. Year or 2 old hind followers are left alone as they're the upcoming breeding stock. Wounding is very expensive - so first shot must bring it down, so accuracy is essential. It's great sport though. Usually you'd be more or less guaranteed at least one per day, though with hinds, often you'd shoot several a day. It depends what the estate stalker wants done. I don't know what the current price for hinds is but I'd imagine at least £200 plus tax for each. Shooting is always around 9am to 3pm then clean up the carcasses back at the larder. https://georgegoldsmith.com/property/braeroy-estate/
View attachment 25167
View attachment 25168View attachment 25169
View attachment 25170
View attachment 25171
View attachment 25172View attachment 25173

Thanks for the info!
Great pics of your adventures! Thanks for sharing!