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> 6.5x55 first time reloading
6.5x55 first time reloading
@ 02:43 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittWell I have finally gotten round to setting up my anniversary Lee press. Have read the instructions and have All of Nathans books.I have ADI 2209 Lapua brass, and 140gn A MAX bullets. I'm not going to rush into it and have spent time with getting familiar with the scales and all the other hand loading steps. I deprimed sized some Norma shells I had saved and trimmed them etc as per instructions. Fitted an empty case with projectile just wanted to feel my way through the process to get the idea of what to do. Have ordered an F1 chronograph from Reloading direct in Auckland. Will follow the Lee loading charge weights and see how it goes ? Have the ADI book as well. I see that adi2217 gives higher velocity than 2209. I think my Sako 75 has a good sized chamber because the brass I resized got really squeezed and I think I should just neck size as it's fire formed from my rifle and the spent cases chamber with ease. How far away from the lands is best for ogive bullet jump . I'm going to follow the books for now and get some holes in paper. The new sightron is fitted and wowed my hunting mate's. OK any thoughts on this would be great. Thanks for your help and support Nathan and all here on this forum. Warwick |
Replies
@ 04:24 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingStick to Nathans book Warwick, use his steps!Don't set your full sizer to deep, you just want to loose that stiff bolt feel if you F/L size, adjust, re-chamber & so on, otherwise you work your brass to hard (far back). I'm not familiar with your cal as too throat length so won't recommend a bullet jump. Stay with the ADI manual for load info, they make your powder hey. Take your time and have fun! |
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@ 05:30 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingThanks Martin. The bolts not stiff at all with not being sized once fired Norma brass. Yes I will stick with what ADI book states for sure. |
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@ 06:53 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingCOAL= 3.22in .......82mm measured as per Nathans books cleaning rod method. Bullet jump is .2008 in....5.1mmCorrect me if I am wrong but the length of the bore that the bullet travels in is 19.83in....503mm. I got this figure from the coal measurement numbers. So a 22in barrel in my rifle only has 19.85 to spin up the bullet? Interesting !!!!! Your thoughts about this.? |
@ 07:37 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHey Warwick, great to hear from you.COAL will need to be 79.5mm (remember to jot down the proj length based on averages as per the book). Test loads from 44 to 46.5gr 2209 in your rifle. It has a nice strong action and standard throat etc. This one should be smooth sailing with a bit of luck. |
@ 07:49 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHi WarwickAs Martin said. Try the fired case back in the chamber, if its not tight, just neck size. The next time you fire that case try it again (eventually it will tighten) if its a bit firm to close the bolt adjust your F/L size die down a 1/8 of a turn, onto the lubed case trying the case in the chamber each time till the bolt only just closes on the case nicely. Lock it set like that, its now adjusted to suit your chamber. I'm off hunting for a week, taking my 16yr Granddaughter for her first hunt. Cheers Bob |
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@ 08:01 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingThanks for your guidance Nathan and forum members. This is an excellent hobby I shall proceed with care and precision. |
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@ 10:33 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingThe weather looks good tomorrow. I have all the gear ready to go to the range first thing in the morning. I have a good surveyors tripod I got for $70 at mitre 10 made a plate for the chronograph. I'm hoping that the roll my own ammo will get the best out of the Sako. |
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@ 10:50 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloading
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@ 06:28 pm (GMT) |
Jared ThibodauxRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingJust a bit of advice from a fellow 6.5x55 shooter, get some RL22 if you are going to be shooting 140gr. Nosler said it was the most accurate in their rifle so I decided to give it a try and HOLY $#!^ were they right. It is the only powder I use in 140gr now, shooting sub 1/2" groups all day with three different 140gr bullets, the SSTs go 1/4" when I do my part. Hard to beat that in a featherweight rifle.If you are going to be hunting the 120gr Ballistic Tips used to serve me well when I lived on the coast (small deer), but now that I am getting a mix of medium deer and hogs I switched to the 140gr SSTs, they leave large holes and heavy (short) blood trails for such a small caliber, penetration has not been an issue even on the pigs. Been a Swede fan for nearly 30 years now, great cartridge I count it amongst my favorites along with the 7mm-08 and 30-06. |
@ 07:40 pm (GMT) |
sebastian shandRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadinghi there warwickI'm currently using a tikka t3 in 6.5x55 also with 140grain amax projectiles I'm using 46grains of ar2209 powder and currently getting .4 of an inch consistently. i have a bullet jump of 3mm which seems to work well but honestly i have loaded at longer and shorter jumps and my rifle seems to take them in its stride and still shoots under half inch |
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@ 09:19 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHey thanks for your feedback and information. I have been busy with life issues.I have reloaded a batch of final development loads just got to make the time when the weather is good and get to the range. Lambing has started here so it's not a time when farmers want loud noise and people target shooting in the Sheep nursery/ maternity ward. I'm happy to wait. |
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@ 12:30 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHey Trigger men! Well I needed some ammo for Deer so against all logic I used my development loads! I used 3 140g A max 45g loads to check everything was on target 3shot group .7" @ 100yrds so I had some 140g A max and Partition 46g loads I loaded mag with 2 factory 120g Norma Ballistic tips. Then Two of my reloads 140g Partitions 45.5g 2209 and One 140g A max with 46g 2209 on top for the first shot. Well 3 Deer on the ground later and I got away with it. I know it's not how your meant to use development loads. Also have set trigger pressure to just over 1lb. Have included pics of fired cases that I could find.
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@ 12:39 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloading
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@ 01:00 am (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: 6.5x55 first time reloading3 big piles of primo venison says thats a plurry GREAT way to test loads out...a man after my own heart...you got to see bullet performance not just holes in paper..and at end of day if you arent looking to shoot past 200yards...........enjoy the eating. |
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@ 07:57 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingSo i was out below the house setting up a target for some 300 yard shooting and I look down the hill and hello there a young yearling stag looking up the hill at me! So more of my loads have been used for hunting 140 gn A-max at 75 yards and yes it did explode!!!! In anticipation of this I aimed for the middle of lower neck and the result was devastating
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@ 09:54 am (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingdont you just hate it when that happens......steak looks cooked just right. |
@ 09:29 pm (GMT) |
Thomas KitchenRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingyou might have to book a WINZ appointment Warwick as it really looks like you have fell on hard times ha ha.be interesting to see how your groups go if those pesty deer don't keep getting in the way. |
@ 06:20 am (GMT) |
Russell DahlbergRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHello, great shooting, wish we had deer up here I only get hares and the odd goat, may I ask what you barrel length is and the velocity you are getting with the amax and partitions. Thanks I'm just trying to get some theoretical numbers for playing with a ballistic calculator.Thanks |
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@ 10:16 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHi Russel. Thanks mate. 140g A-Max/Partition= 2800fps approx from 22" Barrel. Have you got all of Nathans books????? The best investment you will ever make! No Bull shit just factual honest real world test results and factual Practical advice and information. You need to reload to get the best from the Swede 6.5X55.Got another one tonight 
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@ 05:53 am (GMT) |
RussellRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingThanks for the numbers mate, I also have a 22inch barrel so its been tricky finding realistic numbers as most shoot 24inch+.You hear all sorts of numbers on the Internet but all you guys on here seam to do things properly and ain't into all the BS on other forums. Thats how I am do it methodically and properly and enjoy it, I cant be bothered with negativity. No a haven't got all the books yet, I got the first one then by the time i read it he had anouther one out then he said he had these other ones on the way so I'm waiting till he has finished this one and I'm buying the full set, I'll have two of the first book then but oh well. It's been a hard wait as I really want to start reloading but want to get that book and read it first before buying the wrong gear. Where abouts do you live, are all these deer out the back of your farm or something, I just can't get my head around seeing them standing around like rabbits, I have only hunted public land in the north island and I hav'nt found any where like that, it's so cool. What range did you get the latest. Keep posting up the pics of your hunts you get some good pics. Look at that stag, are you sure your not on a deer farm lol. Thanks again. |
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@ 10:11 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingAnd another Bugger 11 Point Stag @ 20 meters in the scrub! Thanks mate. I Have replied to your post Russell.
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@ 08:11 am (GMT) |
The Deer Culler!Re: 6.5x55 first time reloadingHey Gunmen! So all my Reloads have grown in size after firing with development loads. I fire formed them with Trail boss (Preferred powder of Sheriffs & Outlaws) then neck sized and reloaded 140g A-Max with IMR2209 3x@ 45gn, 3x@ 45.4gn, 3x@ 45.8gn, 3x@ 46gn, 3x@ 46.2gn. I noticed BLACK SOOT on the outside of the case necks! Is this normal or does it just mean my Sako has a decent sized chamber? I will follow Our wise n Bullshit proof Mentor Nathans books of reloading enlightenment. My freezers full of Bambi steaks n roasts! So I have No more excuses for not finishing my load development now.Any possible Issues or the reason for the Soot on Case necks would be good to know? I'm thinking that its powder n gasses getting between the case and chamber during powder burn and as increase of pressure pushes projectile into lands and then pressure increases trapping burning powder between case neck and chamber? But! I could be wrong and would like to know? Thanks guys . |
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@ 04:28 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloadingRL22 I have been searching for Reloader-22 Powder none available in NZ :( I saw that IMR7828 is listed as the same burn rate? So I got 1LB to see if its any better than AR2209. |
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@ 08:56 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloading300 yard shot 140gr A-Max |
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@ 10:12 am (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 first time reloading
I had to dial in 3 MOA to be bang on the plate. |
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