6.5x55 Plain Base Bullets/Bens Opinion

[KHornet]

Guess this is mostly for Ben as he has got me buying NOE molds with half gas check and half plain base. Know he is fond of 30 cal and above and that he has had less than great luck with smaller cals and plain base blts.. However, have a nice 6.5 mold that weighs out about 126 with GC, and about 128 plain base that looks like it ought to be a shooter.

Obviously I can't fine any specific data for the plain base. One of the old cast blt manuals lists a 130 gr over 12 gr of 2400 at a bit over 1400 for GC. I just loaded a few for test with 9 gr of 2400 for initial testing. Want to get between 1000-1200 max for the PB. Am thinking, considering case vol, relative to say 308 vs 6.6x55, think I would be ok with someplace around 8-9 gr of Unique also. Would be most interested Ben on your thoughts on what I have written. Am also thinking Red Dot, and 700X might work well also. I value your opinion!

 

[Ben]

KHornet,

I don't have nearly as much experience as some others with the 6.5 X 55 , but I took my original pristine condition Model 96 to the range a few months ago and shot some cast in it.

I shoot the Lee 170 sized .266. Mine shoots IMR 4227 pretty well. This group is at 50 yards with military open sights from sand bags.

Sorry, but I don't own a single mould that is a plain base ( I know many will find that hard to believe ! ! ) in 6.5 cal.

Thanks,

Ben

If you don't keep the speed up, I found that the bullets won't stabilize properly
causing the bullet holes to be oval. When the speed reaches
1,300 fps + this condition disappeared in my test.

 

[300BLK]

OK, Ben has chimed in. Lyman 45th is going to be of no help, and neither is Ideal #39. Lyman 47th has data for 143gr GC:

Red Dot 7.0-9.5 1135-1335fps
700x 7.0-9.5 1135-1330fps
Green Dot 8.0-10.5 1205-1465fps
Unique 9.0-11.5 1275-1525fps

Your bullet is 10% lighter, but I would use the above data anyway. Realize that if the bullet base is below the neck, and high pressure is applied quickly, riveting is possible. Unique at 8-9gr would be less likely to do this than Red Dot or 700x.

 

[KHornet]

Ben, I have also found that it takes at least 1350/1400 to stabilize the 170 Kruse Misc. And I agree with 300, 170 sticks well below the neck and pressures do jump appreciably because of it. I am fortunate enough to have two M96's in excellent condition with all matching no's, and as issue. I have mounted a scope on one without changing anything issue. I have not yet tried 4227 but will give it a try. I like all of 300's recommendation, and will start working on them and will report my results as they occur. As a general rule, I have adhered to the so called Vol limit of 1600 fps, but have some time back gotten up to about the 1750-1800 level with no leading or striping using 140 gr BH 25 or better hardness. Those are some pretty nice groups Ben. Will try your load, and as soon as Brad teaches me how to post pics will hope to come close to your groups. Thanks very much to both of you for your responses, recommendations and suggestions.
Paul

 

[Ben]

Paul,

I'd like to be of more help on your plain base loads, but I try not to offer load data, suggestions, opinions, etc. on cartridges that I have no experience with.

However having quite a bit of experience with the 6.5's cousin , the 7 X 57............., " if " I was loading your plain base cast bullet in the 6.5 X 55 , I'd probably start at 8.0 of Unique and " inch up ".

What diameter will you be using with your plain base bullets.
Remember, bigger with the 6.5 X 55 is often times better. ( .266 or bigger )

Ben

 

[KHornet]

Will start with .266 Ben, and if that doesn't work well will try .267.

 

[Ben]

Good strategy in my opinion............

Ben

 

[Maxjon]

I have a nice matching number Swede, I'm keen to try cast in also....I'm thinking of a 150gn Cruze missile....