M14 Forum

IC2(SS)19Z50C5 · August 17th, 2011, 07:20 PM

Just curious, does anyone have loading data for this cartridge using a modern action? I’m having a M721 Remington built up using a 26” Lilja barrel,(See First Link). I’m having it put into a McMillan ADJ A3-5(NEW) Stock, (See Second Link). I had the stock ordered with an Anschutz rail so I can use my Anschutz hand stop and other Anschutz related equipment with it.

http://www.riflebarrels.com/

http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-st...k-list.php#a35

Anyway, all my older reloading manuals have data made up using the M92 thru M94 Swedish Mauser actions, so if anyone has data for more modern and stronger actions using 140 grain bullets let me know if you would please. Otherwise I’ll just start with M96 data and work my way up. In closing, some will ask why a 6.5x55 Swede???... Why not a .260 Rem or 6.5x284 Norma???... Well I did it just because I could, that’s why!!

bd111 · August 17th, 2011, 08:09 PM

You're giving me a case of envy-itis. Your questions get into barrel twist, barrel length, powder, case and primer choice, and what you'll be hunting. In Sweden they hunt moose with milsurp M 96's/38's and the 140 grain milsurp round. That's a 8-twist barrel, IIRC, and a weaker action than your 721. You can load up for 160 gr. solids if you want to. I'd say look at ALL the modern reloading manuals. At least one will have a sub-chapter that meets your needs, probably Sierra's.

Al Mack · August 17th, 2011, 09:47 PM

I've been using Richard Lee's modern reloading manual. Some loads are for weaker actions but one I use 48 grains RL-22 gets 2800 fps from my 26 inch Shilen barrel with very good accuracy. With your 28 inch tube you should reach that magical 2900 fps. I've tried 4831 but for me 22 is the winner.

BrokenVet · August 18th, 2011, 10:03 AM

How Swede it is.

I use the Sierra 140 grain SBT on top of 39.0 grains of IMR4064.
Start load 34.1 (vel. 2400fps) MAX load 40.0 (vel. 2700fps)

Hornady 140 grain A-Max on top of 42.0 grains of R19
Start load 33.7 (vel. 2100fps) MAX load 43.5 (vel. 2600fps)

I shoot these loads out of a rebarreled Yugo Mauser M48 with a 21" Adams & Bennett light sporter. I get 1" sometimes less groups from 100 yards

MJ1 · August 18th, 2011, 12:05 PM

It looks like your a target shoter so here is the inside deal. 46g of RL22 and the 140g SMK or 139g Senecar. I have a friend in the UK who wins modern international matches and others like the Trafalgar match at 900 and 1000 meters who gave me this load, I used it at Bisley in 41b the first time and couldn't wait to have my own 41b.

Good luck.

trooper71 · August 18th, 2011, 02:34 PM

6.5x55 Swedish Mauser (commercial action) (Alliant Reloaders Guide 2008) Reloading Data

Warning! Notes: primer: CCI 200; case: Remington; Min OAL: 3;

NOTE: All loads are maximum. Reduce by 10% to establish a starting charge weight. Alliant Centerfire Rifle Load Data

Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity

120 Speer SP Alliant RL-19 46.0 2820

120 Speer SP Alliant RL-22 46.0 2830

140 Speer SP Alliant RL-19 45.0 2616

140 Speer SP Alliant RL-22 45.0 2655

IC2(SS)19Z50C5 · August 18th, 2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVet

How Swede it is.

Yeah I think it will be too. SEMPER FI & AIRBORNE!!!!
Thanks for all the help and data Pards.

Here below is a little more info about my M721 action rebuild to 6.5x55 Swede. The below is what I asked for from my old rifle team Pard who is doing the rebuild.

Stock type: McMillan A3-5 Adjustable

Sako or AR-10 Extractor installed in bolt.

Barrel type: stainless steel, best twist for 140 grain bullets. = Liljah 1 in 9

Trued lugs, and action.

Trigger guard floor plate: Extended magazine floor plate.

20 min Picatinny rail.

Barrel length 26” from the bolt face, taper diameter at the muzzle .850, diameter at the action, the same as the M721 action.

Barreled action will be a gray cerakote.

(Forgot this one), Knurled Tactical Bolt Knob

BrokenVet · August 18th, 2011, 05:31 PM

I looked at other data for the Swede that people use for competition. And it seems that Al Mack's recipe is the best one. RL22 48 grains topped with Hornady A-Max.

4.4" 10 shot group @ 1,000 yards, shot in 1999 at the British long range Bench rest. They used a Tikka rifle and the load above.

Good luck

IC2(SS)19Z50C5 · August 19th, 2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ1

It looks like your a target shooter

Yes I am a "Target Shooter", and (Great Picture more about it later.) And many, many thanks to all who have contributed.

MJ1 · August 19th, 2011, 08:02 AM

Good luck and please keep us in the loop on your findings

MesaRifle · August 19th, 2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ1

It looks like your a target shooter so here is the inside deal. 46g of RL22 and the 140g SMK or 139g Senecar. I have a friend in the UK who wins modern international matches and others like the Trafalgar match at 900 and 1000 meters who gave me this load, I used it at Bisley in 41b the first time and couldn't wait to have my own 41b.

Good luck.

Right on. I load for my Ljungman AG42B (the semi-auto in the picture above) with this:

140 gr bullet, 45.5 gr RL22, CCI 200. V = 2790.

Even when limited by it's wonderful iron sights, this rifle shoots into a nice 5" group @ 200 yds, 6 shots. Mild, controllable, and a lot of fun. This is a great cartridge. No wonder Ruger actually chambered their M77 in it, but sadly, not in a lefty action. Havetah build my own I suppose.

Have fun, and let us know how it all works!

bd111 · August 19th, 2011, 08:57 AM

I believe it was 1976, Olin-Winchester made a Model 70 chambered 6.5 x 55. They're prized even though they're push-feed. Dan Lilja will get OP a great barrel, count on it.

lefty o · August 19th, 2011, 09:06 AM

though alot of people have done it, and it was the "IN" thing a few years ago, i do not like the sako or AR extractor installed on a remington bolt, as it defeats the remingtons built in safety in case of problems. look aorund, when you see pics of what it looks like when sako extractors have been blown out of a remington, its not pretty. now as for the barrel, i would opt for a 1:8.5, as some of the 140gr VLD bullets will not always stabilize from a 1:9 barrel.

bd111 · August 19th, 2011, 04:45 PM

Pinned-in Remington 700-type OEM extractor is plenty effective and durable when fitted and installed by a gun plumber who knows what he's doing. I'm still shooting 700's and 40X's large and small cartridge heads built all the way back to 1965 with original factory extractor. My 700XC match rifle is on its 4th barrel. If the shooter must have a different kind of extractor, M16 extractor has become a popular alternative to the Sako adaptation, which takes too much metal from the Remington rifle's bolt.

The Cabinet Man · August 19th, 2011, 06:15 PM

Oh man, I love my Ruger M77 in 6.5x55!

My load is also 48.0 grains of RL-22. I use Lapua brass, CCI-200 primers, and 140-grn Nosler Partitions (#16321). The OAL is 3.050". The load clocks in at 2775 fps and is sub-MOA, making groups between 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" at 200 yards.

I nailed a muley at just under 100 yards two years ago this load thru the M77 and the buck didn't move an inch after it was hit. Dropped right where it stood. I don't even bother with my 30-06 any more.

TCM