6.5 x55 Swede loading question

[growr]

Have you pulled the bullets from Norma Ammo and replaced them with Hornadays? Reloaded the bullets with your powder to verify it is the bullets?

No I haven't, but that is a very good idea! Have enough left to do that.

Randy

 

[growr]

Midsouth Shooters has Norma 6.5 'scenar' 139 grain. Is that the same bullet?

It is a bullet from Lapua, not Norma. Very similar however and I will try some of those as well. Thanks for the sharp eye!

Randy

 

[DWalt]

At one time long ago I shot sporter-class bench rest using a custom Mauser with a Douglas 6.5x55 barrel. I don't remember the barrel twist, but think it was 1:9". Believe it or not, my best grouping performance at 100 and 200 yards was achieved with a 130 grain round nose bullet from Herter's (anyone else remember them?) and IMR 4320 powder. I think Herter's got their bullets from Sweden, but probably not from Norma.

 

[samnev]

I've had good results with Sierra 140 grain SMK's.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I plink with Rem/Win factory bullets.
Shoot targets with Sierra B/T and HP style bullets.
Hunt with Acc-Bond bullets, since the second best bullet....
the Nosler Partition is not as accurate but works to 250 yards, if needed.

That is with "My" rifles, though.
I do think that Norma ammo is fantastic if found..... Quality, stuff!!

 

[caduceus]

I have a box of 155.9 gr. Norma round nose match bullets when coupled with RL 22 powder most accurate load to date out of 4 m96 mausers. They say match grade but utilized for hunting. Next surprise was 129 Hornady spire point flat base very accurate. I keep the Norma's for hunting no need to waste them punching paper.

 

[stykshooter]

It is an ugly bullet, but we have gotten some pretty amazing groups out of Hornady 160 grain RN Interlock bullets and 4350 powder out of a couple of M96 Mausers.

 

[Skyhunter]

GROWR -
+1 on the "Ugly" Hornady 160 gr. RN! IMR 4350 and that bullet in my Ruger #1-A groups 3 rds. into +/-1.0" at 100 yds. until I get tired of shooting. That bullet also hits like the hammer of Thor and you can eat right up to the hole!
My #1 also likes the Hornady 129 gr. SST over IMR 4064. It will hold .75 - 1.0" for 3 rds. with wonderful repeatability.
I also use the 160 gr. bullet in my Swede Mauser short rifle.
Good luck in your quest!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[Qc Pistolero]

yes I do remember them;guess that makes us 2 ''old reloaders''!Let's look at the bright side;gray hair brings respect...doesn't it?

 

[Kinman]

I've been messing around with a nice 6.5 x 55 Swede with a #2 barrel. I found a steady supply of Hornady 140gr. ELDs and Sierra 142gr. Match Kings. Trying a few different powders including the Reloader family the best groups I could get with either bullet was with IMR-4350, the Hornady ELDs preferred 39.0grs, the Match Kings likes 40.0 grs. The best groups were shot with the ELDs with a COL of 3.025, average groups are slightly over an inch with extreme spread, within that group usually three are together.
I tried Nosler Custom Competition 140gr bullets and the rifle did not like them at all.