Thread: Saami Spec's, just how far can you push?

Book max's are pretty much ignored for the 6.5x55 cartridge if we are loading for a modern action.
looking up Saami Spec for the 6.5x55 and two close enough cartridges the 270 and the 260. I see the long 6.5 has a pressure of 45,000, the 260 has 60,000 and the 270 has 65,000.
Now does this mean this the the maximum pressure the brass is made to withstand ? and if so is there anyway a layman can figure when he is approaching this maximum? Some sort of formula maybe ?

It appears , as in the case of me, running 120gr BT's through one of my 6.5x55's I'm 2 full grains over Nick Harveys max using federal brass and between 4-5gn over the Hornady 7th edition for the 140gr using lapua brass, both loads without any of the pressure sign's I've been told to look out for.
I realise book max's are there in this caliber for the multitude of older actions still in use.
However I'd be concerned if 6.5x55 brass is deliberately made to withstand some 20thousand psi less than say 270 brass, or am I totally on the wrong track here and it all means something completely different.

the 6.5 was originally an old military caliber - hence the low pressure rating.

If the action is modern (ie T3 etc) then run it like a 270 no probs

I thought the brass was the issue,have I got that wrong.

I can't make the link work.go to Lapua site,gives data for vhit. in 6.5 x55 new actions

I think this is the info Majon is talking about:

Products - Lapua

I have Vihtavouri's 8th edition so I'll go into lapua and see if there is an up date.
How much to put in isn't my question, everyone I know including myself is already running over Viht max and adi max successfully. in modern actions such as I have.
It's the Saami spec's that I want to understand, is it brass that they are saying is manufactured to tolerate max of 45,000 as oppsed to the 270's 65,000?
And if so, and if modern 6.5x55 brass is made to tolerate much higher pressures than the 45,000 why can I not find this stated anywhere, or is it?

Originally Posted by puku

I think this is the info Majon is talking about:

Products - Lapua

next page,6.5x55 SKAN max 55114psi

Chers Majon, Puku, that is the same data as the 8th edition.

Originally Posted by madjon_

next page,6.5x55 SKAN max 55114psi

Right, now I'm with you, found it cheers.

CUP and psi are 2 different things - make sure you're on same wave length

Yes,cheers spanners, was working in psi