Thread: 6.5x55 129gr SST powder suggestions?

A mate wants a load working up for his Howa in 6.5 swede. He was told by previous owner that it liked the 129gr SSTs, but he doesn't have/remember what powder that load used, so I'm going to load some for him (from starting load and all that) and find a basic safe accurate load. I assume it has the standard ~22" barrel, but I will check and confirm that. It has been threaded, so might have lost an inch or two doing that, unless they came threaded - I don't know but will find out.

Will be using Norma brass and CCI primers.

Any recommendations regarding powder choice? Was leaning toward IMR4350 after a bit of a read-up, but am keen to hear your suggestions chaps.

I use ADI 2209 in my Swede.
Also load a T3 with 140gn SSTs with 2213sc, but it's a slow load out of the barrel.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

I use ADI 2209 in my Swede.
Also load a T3 with 140gn SSTs with 2213sc, but it's a slow load out of the barrel.

2209 sounds like it would be a useful powder for a few different things too. Cheers

2209 gave me good groups with the 129g interlock.

7828 and RL22 even in short barrels gives great results in 6.6 Swede, leaves 2213 and H4831 for dead, easy to use 2209 to chase velocity (in a cartridge where velocity is not the point!) and go too far.

N560 is the only powder for the Swede if its speed and accuracy you are chasing.

Ask Woody.

129sst, 50grns H4831 compressed load, lapua cases, fed primers, 2850 fps, under 1/2" groups when I do my bit out of a suppressed T3

From memory I use 47.5g of win 760 with good results, try different stuff tho, every rifle is different

AR2209 is what I use in my Tikka t3 shooting 129g SSTs. It's easy to get hold of it and I get 2800 fps and sub moa mostly. I use 46 gn which is .5 gn over max in the manuals I have. I don't think I'd use more than that but in my gun it's a safe load. I'm curious about N560 but haven't tried it. RL22 is also interesting. Just depends. Given that what I have works I think I'd rather go hunting than spend extra days at range but hey nothing wrong with a day at the range.

48 gn 2209 excellent in my custom 98 mauser.

With N560 I get 2840fps with 21.5" barrel and N560. 139 grn SST and AMax. Half MOA.
To me, that's the gold standard.

To be fair though I haven't tried it with 129 grn.

W760 used to give me an easy 2900 with 120grn balistic tips.

That is excellent, @Tahr. Good job. Ahhhh now I want to get some N560. Got some Sierra 140 GameKings, could try them. Plus some Sierra 120 gn Pro Hunters sitting around and some very old Nosler Solid Base also in 120. Maybe W760 for them but these powders never seem to be in stock. Also a small number of Nosler 130 gn Accubonds.