Thread: What powder for 6.5x55?

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
I found AR2209 worked well in my 6.5x55 T3 Lite with the 129 grain SST. There are a couple of cautions though. Current production AR2209 is faster than that produced 20 or so years ago and the Hodgdons data is for the older stuff. Additionally US dies for the cartridge will likely set the shoulder back too far if the die contacts the shell holder. My Redding dies .010" too far and my older Lyman dies even more. This is for my Tikka and other rifles may be worse. One of the Hornady headspace comparator tools will help in getting this right.
Regards GPM.

I had heard about this issue with 2209, I always start low so shouldn't be a problem

I will likely use Hornady dies as they have worked and do work well in the cartridges I have experience working with and will be suited to VLD styler bullet seating. I find the Hornady comparator very useful in sizing operations as well, I'm looking forward to a new challenge (let's face it, it's a Tikka) and will post the progress/struggles

Greetings @Rated M for Magnum.
You may find it easier to work up to a velocity rather than just adding powder and looking for pressure signs. The 6.5x55 has around 5% more powder capacity than the .260 Rem and should gain around 1% more velocity at the same pressure. The .260 Rem max loads produce about 3,000 fps with the 120 grain, 2,850 fps for the 129 or 130 grain and 2,725 fps for the 140 grain. All of these develop a little under 60.000 PSI in the .260. In my Tikka, with the exception of H4350 (AR2209) as mentioned, the velocities recorded were in line with the Hodgdon data. I also used graphs to better understand what was going on which were a great help.
Would be happy to share my notes via Email.
Regards Grandpamac.

RL 22 and 143gr Eldx work stunningly well in terms of accuracy and performance on game out of my Tikka.

I use R22 for the heavies and N150 for the 120-130 grain bullets.

Gully, how much R22 are you using behind the 143, 47-48 gns?

I haven’t got the data on hand at the moment. But I think 46. It’s a mild load 2,550 but speed isn’t everything with that caliber and bullet. You can dial if you need to at longer ranges. Don’t let anyone try and convince you the bullet needs to go faster. I’d say with this particular load and rifle it’s probably accounted for 100-125 deer from 5m out to 375ish. Most shot by my boys not me. But the 8 or 9 deer I’ve shot with it have been 1 shot only. The damage to the internal organs is immense. The chest cavity is filled with blood and smashed up lungs heart and liver. It’s quite devastating.

I also need to add that after about 200m the deer often move off about 10-15 metres before keeling over.

Thanks all, good info. Just waiting for old mate to buy the rifle and see what he wants to do

I have been using a Tikka 6.5X55 for a number of years now and after a lot of load development I have settled on Norma brass, CCI primers, 46.5 gr of Reloader 17, 135 Berger projectile with a MV of 2920 FPS.

Soooo old mate is buying a 243 instead

I'm all sorted, cheers all.

2208 or varget seems to work in 243

Originally Posted by blip

2208 or varget seems to work in 243

It certainly does