How do I fix case head separation for 6.5x55 swede

[Bad Ass Wallace]

What does the 6.5 Swede have to do with the 6.5 Creed?

Just an example of dimensions that matter. 243,25.06,6.5 Creed, 270,308,35Whelan have head size of 0.470" 6.5Swiss does NOT but measures 0.479".

[M-Tecs]

Just an example of dimensions that matter. 243,25.06,6.5 Creed, 270,308,35Whelan have head size of 0.470" 6.5Swiss does NOT but measures 0.479".

On this we agree..................

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????? What a stupid statement!

What is a 6.5Swiss?????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????

The only dimensions that have relevance for a 6.5x55 Swedish are the dimensions of the 6.5x55 Swedish specifically the cartridge and chamber specs.

Not interested enough to do the research but the 6.5x55 Swedish was a military cartridge designed long before CIP or SAAMI so like a lot of the cartridges of that era there are more variations than with newer cartridges. Those variations do cause issues at times. The dimensions of other cartridges have zero relevance unless one wants to use them to form another case.

[Barry54]

I'm out of my element on this question. I have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 swede. When I first picked it up I and reloaded with a pile of brass I had on hand I experienced a couple of instances of case head separation. I didn't have history on the brass so I scrapped it, and picked up new brass from PMS and PPU. I started working up a load for it last week and I'm seeing that little line around the base again. Not sure what to do about. I do have a neck resizer so maybe that is the way to go?
My current reloading steps are using a 2 die steel rcbs set and full length resizing die. I adjust the resizing die until the bolt of the tikka closes easily on a sized case. I adjust down in tiny increments until I get that easy close. From what I can glean from youtube that is probably the issue. I also see that measuring the shoulder setback is recommended for a certain range, but so far haven't picked up why, and what my goal for doing that is. Probably haven't found the right video yet if it exists.

Would anyone mind giving me a little guidance, and big bird it down for me.

Did you really have case head separation? Or are you just seeing expansion above the web?

As Mr Wallace pointed out, the 6.5x55 is prone to show expansion there, with brass that has undersized base dimensions.

Do you reload other cartridges, or only this cartridge for this one rifle?

[chutestrate]

Did you really have case head separation? Or are you just seeing expansion above the web?

As Mr Wallace pointed out, the 6.5x55 is prone to show expansion there, with brass that has undersized base dimensions.

Do you reload other cartridges, or only this cartridge for this one rifle?

I did have separation on old brass which is why I purchased new brass. I load other calibers but this is the only one I've experienced this issue with.

[Texas by God]

A new rifle deserves new brass.
Take the old brass to the scrapyard and forget about it while you eat lunch with the funds you received.


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[MostlyLeverGuns]

Somewhere, a very long time, reading about Mauser and his cartridges, i remember something about his cartridge work with the Swedes/Norwegians - the cartridge did not quite meet the pressure velocity requirements requested using the 'standard' 12mm case head, so Mauser enlarged the case head to accommodate the requirements of the contract for velocity and pressure. True? IDK Did the 6.5x55 Krag come before the Mauser? May have been a competitive development.

[Larry Gibson]

I did have separation on old brass which is why I purchased new brass. I load other calibers but this is the only one I've experienced this issue with.

You mentioned previously having a neck size die. That is the best solution. With cast bullet loads neck sizing will work fine for many firings. With top end jacketed bullets loads you will probably have to partial full length size when chambering and/or extraction becomes overly difficult. Adjust your FL die to size the case just enough to feel a slight 'crush fit" when chambering the case.

The 6.5x55 Swede case has a lot of taper and will "grow" in length when partial sized in a FL sizing die. Neck length trimming [case OAL] will probably be necessary before chambering the partial resized case. If not trimmed after sizing before testing chambering the over length neck may give a false feeling.