Need help with 6.5x55 Swede

[Stu]

I've had good results (a little better than 1/2 moa) from my Swede with the 140 vld's touching the lands and using Rel 17.

[james86]

Alright, I'm back with another range report, I'm a little more excited about this one.

This group is touching the lands, and it is a similar group to what it was shooting before.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_HbtN6QPSs8s/TZiHsGJwyxI/AAAAAAAAACo/azr1Df_GkLI/s720/IMG_1823.jpg

This group is 0.080" from the lands. Yeah, 80 thousandths!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_HbtN6QPSs8s/TZiHq5qGjaI/AAAAAAAAACg/3Z2ab0lvs6U/s720/IMG_1821.jpg

And this group is 0.120" from the lands. That's over a tenth of an inch.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_HbtN6QPSs8s/TZiHrvZO_jI/AAAAAAAAACk/Ip4uNv7dWNc/s720/IMG_1822.jpg

I already loaded 30 more rounds that range from 0.070" to 0.130" from the lands so I can narrow it down even further. I can't believe that the bullet has to be jumped like that just to get it to shoot well.

Hey Andrew, do you think I can just narrow it down to the OAL that it likes best and then fiddle with powder charges to try to shrink the groups even more? Or will different powder charges change the "optimal" OAL?

-James.

[Chameleoncamo]

You can do that. It may be a little backwards but I have done it before to find a load for a .243. That 80 thousandth looks to be promising to me.

[Slim Jim]

Reloader 22 with the Sierra Match bullet ,also way off the lands, shot very well in a 6.5x55 I made some years ago. I cannot find the exact load but it was a case full with the powder lightly compressed and ignited with a Federal 215 primer. The primer was the key to eliminate the vertical stringing I was getting with several different powders, those being H4350,H4831,Reloader 19 and Reloader 22. My best accuracy was always with a slow powder and the long, heavy bullets. The rifle was based on a 700 action and a(I can't remember but I believe) Shilen barrel with a 1x7.5" twist 24" long. Swede brass was very expensive in those days so the reamer was designed to allow me to form 257 Roberts cases into 6.5x55 cases w/o the bulge at the base after firing. Good luck with yours.

Slim

For the record this load is way too hot for Standard Military 96 Swede actions.

[Idahojoe]

H4831sc and Berger 140 and Norma 130 work very well, Re22 is pretty accurate until the temp drops then velocities go everywere. Hope this helps. Good luck

[jonbearman]

Simply said,some bullets like a huge jump and it works against all the stuff we have learned doesnt it.I have one gun that shoots best at magazine length about a 100 thou also so dont worry as this is the nature of each and every barrel being slightly different to each other.Some barrels like it to be jammed .020 thou into the lands.I think you are going in the right direction.If you try re17 you are in for a ride as it is tough to tune in many rifles.Go over to accurateshooter.com and read some of the threads on the swede.I have 4 swede's and love them.My military ones like a jump and a 160 gr round nose to shoot as they were intended.My rugerMKIIm77 in 6.5x55 is a finicky bugger and I found it like the 140 class bullets and the 120 class bullets period.Now it has a pencil barrel(light sporter) and it heats up way to fast.I will rebarrel later to a light varmint tube (shilen) and see what it can do then.It is a hunters dream,low recoil and for a sporter it shoots under moa.

[okie2]

HERE IS YOU SOME LOADS
http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/ai.cgi?sn=BhKIBIodBM&catid=19

[skoger]

I use IMR-3031 and Sierra bullets. I have taken whietails here in ky, out to 500yds across hay and bean fiels, I use mostly 120gr. Sieraa sp, or the 140SP. You dont have to have a barnburner load, with those long6.5 bullets, Sectional Density and Ballistic Coefficent is thru the roof. Ihav built a bunch of swedes, over 100, I know what it takes to make them shoot, most of mine were7 1/2 or 8twist rifles. Most will shoot sub 1/2 MOa with a hunting load. PM me for further load data.