best hand load for 6.5 swede

[GBEAR1]

What is the best hand load for an original Swede 1896 full length rifle in 6.5 x 55 swede? The rifle is in excellent condition.I have some original 156gr military bullets as well as some sierra 140 game kings in stock. Thanks in advance

[Sunray]

You have to work up the load for your rifle. There is no 'best load'.
Lots of 140 grain data on Hodgdon's site(Their data appears to have been tested in a Swede Mauser from the twist). Use 160 grain data for the 156's. 4 grains won't matter. Any powder that gives about 2,379 ft/s for the 160. 2,625 ft/s for the 140.

[antietamgw]

I generally shoot a mild cast bullet load in my 6.5's. On the occasions I've used jacketed bullets (Sierra 140's, for the most part), I've found IMR4064 to work very well. Most seem to push the slow powders in the 6.5X55 and I tried them years back(RL19, 4831 as I recall) but found that accuracy with 4064 was as good or better and at only slightly lower velocity and with a lighter powder charge. Works with a lot of chamberings that are typically considered slow powder cartridges. I had "discovered" this almost 20 yrs ago when my 11yr old son had to have a Rem 700 Mountain rifle in .280 Rem. I didn't have any 7MM molds and decided to try a starting load with 120gr bullets and 4064, which uses considerably less powder than, say 4350. At the time, my biggest concern was a light recoiling load as I didn't want him to develop a flinch. It worked extremely well and he shot 40 or 50 rounds from the bench that first day out. He ditched the PAST recoil shield after the first 10, saying it got in the way. We worked up loads over the next few weeks and found one that was a consistant MOA or less load with both 120 and 140gr Noslers. We also tested with 4350 and could both feel the difference in recoil without any benefit of greater accuracy. The same has worked for me in .270 and .30-06, not always with greater accuracy but always very close. If you don't have to have the very last FPS velocity, 4064 can save you some money and result in a bit less recoil.

[Clark Howard]

There happens to be two details that may help you. First, some military 6.5 bullets measure several thousands over .264, which can cause over-pressure. Nosler bullets are always a good choice. Regards, Clark

[musketshooter]

Check out IMR 4320 powder. It gives the highest velocity with the lowest pressure.