6,5x55

[BalckpowderSweden]

I shoot this in a Varberger 6,5x55 Supersporter that I rebarreled with a German Heym 700mm long barrel 1-8" twist
Norma R123 was a magnum pistol powder for the 357 and 44 mag pistol, probably very much like Vihtavouri N110 or 2400?
Norma R123 is now discontinued, bought some when it was sold out for 67kr/250gram.
The Cruise Missile bullet is not ready to load and shoot straight out of the mould, oversize both in nose and body.
Looking for a better bullet, your results are realy impressive!

 

[BalckpowderSweden]

My velocity with the 16gn R123 load was about 490m/s or 1600fps

 

[fiver]

right close to what you'd expect from N-110 or 2400 then.

I'm enjoying your exchange here, doing the math to convert things and then you giving a close estimate of what I come up with helps too.
I'm also enjoying hearing of the different parts available in Europe.

 

[Ian]

Big difference in the seating depths between those two rifles, even accounting for the nose sizing. BPS's is throated more like an 1896 Mauser.

 

[Spindrift]

My two 6,5- rifles,the Rössler and the Schultz& Larsen, seem to have reasonably similar throats. Max COL usually within 0,02in, and so far load preferences seems similar within about 5%. I will now continue with the S&L- rifle, while I mount the .223 rem barrel in the Rössler for a while (want to try pc bullets in the .223).

 

[Rootmanslim]

Have to get that mold. Own six 6.5 caliber rifles.

 

[Spindrift]

@Rootmanslim; great idea! Get the mold you want, cast, load, shoot and enjoy- and please remember to tell us how it went! So far, all my three 6,5- molds work well for me. But I am not an expert in the field of cast bullets, if I get stable 1,5 MOA 5 shot/100m accuracy with off-the-shelf rifle and mold, I am quite pleased.

 

[Rootmanslim]

FYI, there is actually a quite good forum on Facebook on the 6.5x55 with members all over the world.

Just stay away from the political loons on FB !

 

[Rootmanslim]

Have a S&L M54 in 7x61 (had one once in 378 Weatherby built in SouthGate ) and would LOVE to find one in 6.5x55

 

[Spindrift]

The S&L rifles produced nowadays are all switch barrel, fat bolt rifles with 60˚ bolt lift, three front lugs, steel bedding block... Very nice rifles, without plastic. The price is of course above typical «entry level», but considering the features and quality, they are actually quite reasonably priced (in Norway, about 10% more than Tikka T3x).
Factory barrels

Barrels | Schultz & Larsen

Our barrels are made with a very uniform twist rate. The raw material comes from a particularly strong and uniform steel material, which has been specially selected for our rifle barrels, without any regard to raw material price.

schultzlarsen.com

I have a local gunsmith that makes custom barrels for the S&L rifles. Kind of want one in .35 whelan.

 

[Rootmanslim]

If you could find one in 30-06, JES could make it a 35 W or 9.3x62 for $250 (as he had two Ruger No. 1s for me)

 

[Rootmanslim]

Thanks for the S&L link. Don't get the protruding magazine. Still 4 rear locking lugs and 1/2 cock on opening, 1/2 on closing ? Are any imported ?

 

[Spindrift]

I dont think I can send it to JES, I live on the other side of the Atlantic ocean....
The magazine is all-steel single stack. Separate magazines for long and medium cartridges (and magnum, I think). 3-shot magazine sits flush with the bottom metal, while the 5 shot magazine protrudes (only use the 5-shot mag on the range). S&L abandoned the rear locking lugs many years ago, not sure when. Now, there are 3 front lugs, locking up in the barrel. Cock on opening, which is fairly light despite the 60˚ bolt lift, due to long bolt handle and superior finish to internal surfaces.
Don’t know if it is imported to the US, it should be! But maybe it wouldn’t sell, it is after all not the least tactical- just a very good, thought-through, well made walnut/steel hunting rifle.

 

[Rootmanslim]

Interesting. Always thought the rear locking was smart as (as in the SMLE) it shortened the bolt throw. I've never had to FL size given reasonable loads. My M54 also has single stack albeit built in. No feeding issues ever. One glitch it that you can't use modern scopes with the big turrets as the ejected case hits it and drops back in action. As a "fix", I rotated the scope 90 degrees so elevation is windage and windage elevation. Finally have found a Buehler Microdial mount so when I return to WY, I can mount my ANIB Rochester NY BalVar 2.5-8 on it. Period correct scope and back when the most expensive USA made scope.
The "tactical" thing is a hoot. Always amusing to see overweight, out of shape men, who have never fired a shot in anger, all decked out in "TAC KOOL" outfits shooting overscoped 12 pound 308s @100 yards.
There's a great story about Mike Venturino going to one of those "tactical shoots" wearing a stetson, a ground dragging "Duster' (big pockets) and toting a 26" bbled Winchester 92 in 38-40. While the "kool dudes" were dropping magazines and having numerous stoppages, Mike would reach in his pocket, stuff a few more thru the gate and keep shooting. I recall he placed in the top 5 !

 

[Spindrift]

Today, I finally made it to the range again! Shot the Arsenal 266-92, sized .266. Norma cases, Viht- N110 powder. Target at 100m, as usual. Just above freezing today, with unseasonably late snow, and wind. Schultz & Larsen 97DL, Leupold Vx6 2-12x40. Shot from prone position, with front rest on a bag. Water quenched bullets at BHN27. Tumble lubed with two thin layers (60/40 X-lox and boat wax). Sages copper checks.
With this bullet, alloy and powder, I have found 15 grs to be a predictable 5 shots/2MOA/100m performer (without shooting bench). Case necks do get slightly sooted though, which is very rare with N110. This could indicate a slightly... unsound pressure/burn curve. At 16 grs, the groups open up, this seems to be too much.
This is why I have factory crimp dies for my rifle cartridges. They rarely see any use, but it is a nice tool to have in the box, when you just want to nudge the burning curve a little.
Today, I shot some 5- shot groups with no crimp; typical 2 MOA groups. Then I shot two 5- shot groups with 15 grs of powder, and a light crimp; Voila! No soot, both groups 1,3 MOA. These are the best groups I have shot with this bullet so far. Now, two groups is no evidence of course. But it certainly warrants further investigation.

 

[Intheshop]

"VX6 2-12X40"?

Well,there goes "that" excuse,haha.... that's some first class optics right there Spin. And nice shooting.

 

[Spindrift]

You're right, can't blame the scope... Love it. Got the gun, scope, supressor, extra 30-06 barrel and spare magazine used for about the prize of the scope alone. Very pleased with it!

 

[Spindrift]

Shot the very first groups with 3 new bullets today! NOE 268-140 (GC), and NOE 266-126 (GC and PB). Water quenched bullets, BHN27. Norma brass, WLRP. Sized .266. Hornady GC. Neck expanded/flared with NOE plug .268x.264. Pan lubed with a «Frankenlube», equal parts 666-1/ Glens black/ Simple lube. Tumble lube top coat. Loaded to jam length. All cartridges fed from magazine. Shot from prone 100m, with front support on a bag. No time to let the barrel cool today, many rounds to test!

Tried the 268-140 with Viht N120, 19- 20- 21 grs. My other 140 grs bullet has its sweet spot at 20 grs, and opens up at 21. This bullet did better as charges increased, 21 grs about 2 MOA- I actually think it wants some more powder, still. 20 grs was 1840 fps, by theway. Will try to increase this load further, and try with some other powders.

 

[Spindrift]

I loaded the .266-126-PB with Universal, 7,5- 8- 8,5 grs. The 8 grs load showed some promise. With 8,5 grs, I had three bullets very close, then one flier up and one down. I think there is a node around 8 grs. Will also try some other powders in the same burn range.

 

[Spindrift]

With the gas checked 266-126, I used 18-19-20 grs N120 today. Both the 18 and 19 grs loads shot very well, 1,2 MOA 5 shot groups. When I was about to shoot the last (20 grs) group, the gun was so hot I had mirage. Decided to extract the cartridge an allow the gun to cool. The case extracted, allright. But not the bullet! So, no test with 20 grs today. Really happy with these results!