6.5 Swede and what one should expect

[Buckshot]

http://www.fototime.com/FDBE258F5821D99/standard.jpg

.............This isn't about anything spectacular, nor is it a breakthrough load and nothing new is being presented. In fact it isn't exclusive to the 6.5 Swede either. Rather it is probably more aimed at the charge then the caliber or rifle.

The only reason I used the 6.5 Swede picture is because it's the one I have handy. This, or closely similar charges of Unique do yeoman duty in many cartridges. It's not a very razzle dazzle load nor does it inspire increased heartbeats in most everyone, plus it just isn't very adventurous.

It's claim to fame is it's shear dull but consistant utility. It's cheap to load and an easy one to put up in quantity for some simple "Grab and Go" type plinking or small game-varmint type stuff. With simply visually inspected boolits and thrown charges, the above target is about what one may expect without tedious caseprep or other reloading voo doo.

Some groups will be better, and some maybe a small bit worse. Expect the odd flyer and just have fun with it.

................Buckshot

[Bret4207]

Is that 10.0 gr Unique? The colors don't work well with my eyes.

[Tumtatty]

Yes,it was 10+gr Unique

[brimic]

My swedes like unique as well- I use around 11.5 gr with the same bullet that has had the nose sized down to .265" back to the second driving band from the front.

Groups about the same except at 100 yards in the m41B. Found that that out of the 3 swedes I currently shoot cast through, they all like unique, but don't like 2400 for some reason.

[scrapcan]

good thing to hear about unique versus 2400. I am going to try to put up some "grab and go" rounds, as Buckshot so eloquently stated, using the GB mould using unique. I need some more trigger time on the m96 before I start trying to go up the ladder under the 6.5x55 thread I offered to be the guinea pig for.

[45 2.1]

The Swedes like both 2400 and Unique, each in its own velocity range and boolit though. Most rifles like the 11.3 to 11.5 gr. of Unique load with several boolits. Some rifles shoot the Lyman 266469 boolit with 2400 fueling it at about 1800 fps also. She is finicky, but not unmanageable.

[Dutchman]

I don't stop over here nearly enough but I stop by tonight and what do I see?

Unique & Swedes.

http://images30.fotki.com/v51/photos/2/28344/5538481/oct06-vi.jpg

This was shot at 50 yds with the 140 gr Loverin .266" over 10.5 grs Unique and a Lee factory crimp. No filler. Five shots, 3 into one hole. This is the best 6.5x55 cast bullet target I've shot to date. It chronographed at 1,500 fps.

It was shot with this old thing with its worn barrel.
http://www.rebooty.com/~dutchman/images/k1.jpg

It does have a single stage Dayton trigger which is very nice.

Today I was out again with this same rifle trying out some more of the
Lee custom 170 gr .267" using 15.4 grs SR4759. At 50 yds it put 4 of 5
into the X ring. The second load used 13.2 grs of Swedish Gallery Powder
pulled down from m/1914 Gallery Practice ammo. This powder is very close
to Unique. These two load charges were thrown with a Lee dipper which
is why they're 15.4 and 13.2. At 50 yds this load also put 4 of 5 into the
X ring. These two loads are also the best I've done with this rifle and bullet
so far.

I've tried 2400 in the 6.5x55 but truthfully I've loaded far more Unique and
the Swedish Gallery Powder. The results have been so good why mess
with powder experimentation? I am using 2400 in 7.62x54R and .30-06.
The exception to the Unique rule will probably be with using the 170 gr
bullet as the SR4759 sure seemed to produce X ring results so I'll stick
with that for the time being. This particular lot of SR4759 is from a remnant
keg dated 1973 purchased from the storage unit of a deceased handloader.

Dutchman
www.rebooty.com/~dutchman