Considering reloading 6.5x55 Swedish

[Chris C]

Never loaded for military rounds before. Wanting to use lead. Primary goal is target. Lyman's shows only two lead bullets for the 6.5. Is that true? If not, what are some good suggestions for target rounds.............and suppliers.

[Chris C]

Oh well, guess I'm in the wrong forum.

[pworley1]

266469, 266324, 266455, 266305, 266386, 266673

[Chris C]

????? Sorry, but what do those numbers mean?

[Blammer]

those are mould numbers, most likey from Lyman.

[curator]

Chris,

Pworly1 was giving Lyman bullet mold numbers. Before you get started buying reloading equipment for the 6.5X55 Swede, do a search in this site for ideas. The Swede has some quirks that can lead to disappointment if you don't get off to a good start. I load cast in my 6.5X55 quite successfully thanks to great advise on this forum. Best advise: make a throat cast and get a mold that is the right size both driving bands and nose-ride portion. Also, keep velocities under 1800, preferably 1600 for good accuracy.

[kenyerian]

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000066.5SWED I've been wanting to try this mold listed at Mid South . but I haven't got around to it yet.

[Chris C]

Thanks, Blammer. I had no idea what they meant.

Thanks curator. I have only been reloading for the past 10 months and don't cast yet. All the "equipment" I need are the dies. I've been reading here on the site and think I'd finally figured out that Dutchman is considered a local guru, so have been watching his threads with interest.

[Chris C]

Thanks, kenyerian, but I'm not ready to dive into casting yet.

[Dutchman]

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000066.5SWED I've been wanting to try this mold listed at Mid South . but I haven't got around to it yet.

Grossly oversize and not suitable for 6.5x55 Swedish Mausers. Lots of info on this in the forum.

Dutch

[Chris C]

Dutch,

I'm really not ready to start casting. I've just started from scratch on reloading and have spent several thousand dollars on new equipment getting to where I presently am. I'm just looking for a source (probably temporarily) for buying already cast bullets. I'm sure that after I get started I'll end up casting my own, but for right now I just need the name of some good suppliers.

[Fishman]

If you post up in the Boolit Exchange, a sub forum in swapping and selling, you should be able to get some to try. You will need to know groove diameter of your rifle at least so you can get boolits .001 to .002 over for good fit. I doubt you will find this elsewhere but I don't know for sure. My groove diameter requires that I contact Buckshot (on this forum) and get a sizer die made in a custom diameter, which I have not done yet. From what I understand the Swede can be challenging with lead.

[Fishman]

I just noticed you are new to the forum. Welcome! However you may not be able to get into the swap and sell forum without a few more posts. I forget what the number is (30?) And I'm not sure if it applies to the subforums.

[Dutchman]

Dutch,

I'm really not ready to start casting. I've just started from scratch on reloading and have spent several thousand dollars on new equipment getting to where I presently am. I'm just looking for a source (probably temporarily) for buying already cast bullets. I'm sure that after I get started I'll end up casting my own, but for right now I just need the name of some good suppliers.

There are not many commercial sources for cast rifle bullets with gas checks.

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/264_Rifle.html

I can't find the post that you asked about but Lyman 266673 was the bullet I recommend for 6.5x55.

Dutch

[Chris C]

Thanks, Dutch. I found the thread. It was here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?114825-THE-LOAD-in-the-Swedish-Mauser&highlight=Dutchman+Accurate+Lyman+%23266673+150+gr Good information for a 6.5x55 newbie. I'll check with Montana Bullet Works. Thanks.

[Chris C]

I found exactly what I was looking for at Western Bullets Company. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Hang Fire]

Oh well, guess I'm in the wrong forum.

No, right forum, but all to often the wrong cartridge. There are times I expect mayhem to result from discussions on loading the 6.5x55 Swede.

[Chris C]

No mayhem here. Just courteous answers for a newbie's questions................and thanks, all.

[wallenba]

Take note also, most of the bullet mold choices you will have will be tall skinny boolits. So care should be taken when sizing them. If the spread between the diameter, as they drop from the mold, and the size die, are .003" or bigger, they can bend from the force required to size them. A push through die, like the Lee's could prevent that, but Lee doesn't make one.

[Chris C]

A push through die, like the Lee's could prevent that, but Lee doesn't make one.

Interesting comment. ? ? ? ? ?

[nekshot]

Chris, I am not a new to reloading(40+years) and and 10 years at casting and I still have stayed away from my 6.5's. Do you got something bigger to start on that won't discourage you so easily like a 30-30! I have confidence to do the 6.5's now but I am glad I did not try them first. Your expectations and reality have to come into reality to really enjoy this hobby! We all are in a learning curve!

[NVScouter]

Good page but the bad news:

11-11-14 I am sorry to report that due to a recent spinal fusion surgery and the resultant permanent limitations on lifting and other movements, I can no longer operate MBW. In fact, MBW if FOR SALE. If you are interested in buying MBW, please email me and I can provide information on current assests, inventory, etc.

There are not many commercial sources for cast rifle bullets with gas checks.

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/264_Rifle.html

I can't find the post that you asked about but Lyman 266673 was the bullet I recommend for 6.5x55.

Dutch

[Chris C]

Chris, I am not a new to reloading(40+years) and and 10 years at casting and I still have stayed away from my 6.5's. Do you got something bigger to start on that won't discourage you so easily like a 30-30! I have confidence to do the 6.5's now but I am glad I did not try them first. Your expectations and reality have to come into reality to really enjoy this hobby! We all are in a learning curve!

I already reload for .45-70 and .357. But why would you discourage me from reloading for the Swedish?

[nekshot]

Sorry Chris I didn't realise your expierence in casting. I thought you were a newbie getting discouraged and I simply wanted to help keep you in the game. Heck, have a go at the 6.5 cruise while your at it!

[Chris C]

I'm not all that experienced, so tell me what it is that makes the 6.5x55 difficult. I'm still on the learning end of this hobby.

Oh, and what is a 6.5 Cruise?

[Chris C]

Well, I've got lead and brass on the way. I just need to decide on which set of dies to purchase. So far, the Lee Collet Die set has been the most recommended, with the Hornady Series 1 Custom Grade Full Length a close runner up. Can't make up my mind. Never reloaded a necked round before.

[mark2935]

Has anyone toyed with the rcbs #57904? It is a 155gr. flat point. Any/all info would be great.

Mark#35

[wallenba]

Interesting comment. ? ? ? ? ?

A Lee sizing die, if you are not familiar, sizes the boolit by pushing it straight through the die with a punch installed on the ram of your reloading press. Unlike other lubrisizers like the Lyman or RCBS, which push it down into a die and then, back up. The downward force can bend the skinny boolit. A Star lubrisizer is a push through type, and dies can be ordered size specific. Although, the Star and it's dies are expensive. There are those on this site who can make a Lee type to fit a press I'm sure.
The process of 6.5mm reloading is no different than others, it's the diameter and length that can make it challenging. Another hurdle is in casting. It's a long way down to the bottom of the cavity mold. Voids and wrinkles can be hard to control if your mold heat and mix are not kept at working temp.

[wallenba]

I'm not all that experienced, so tell me what it is that makes the 6.5x55 difficult. I'm still on the learning end of this hobby.

Oh, and what is a 6.5 Cruise?

Long ,skinny boolits like the 6.5, sometimes we refer to them as 'cruise missles'.

[Chris C]

Okay. Thanks. I'm a newbie to 6.5x55.............but not to reloading. Just didn't know what you were talking about. I bought my bullets from Western Bullet Company. For now that will be fine. He's sizing them tonight, I think. I'll check to make sure they aren't bent.