Update on the Swedish Truck Gun

[Glen]

The NOE 270469 (i.e. the copy of the Loverin 6.5mm Lyman 266469), sized .270", shoots very nicely in the Swedish Truck gun. There have been a number of fits and starts getting this little carbine to shoot cast bullets well, but I think I'm finally getting it figured out. After I get all the data collected, I'll write everything up.

 

[quicksylver]

Nice shooting ...what distance...?

 

[Ben]

I'd like to see your notes on this one Glen.

Ben

 

[JWFilips]

Glen,
Nice shooting. Love the look of that Receiver sight on her! Are you using the, as issued, front sight ?
Jim

 

[Glen]

That was at 25 yards, the distance I've chosen to zero that gun for head-shooting grouse. I need to shoot some groups at other distances for comparison purposes.

Ben -- Notes? You think I write anything down? ;-) NOE 270469, sized .270", lubed with 50/50 beeswax/moly grease, 16.0 grains of 4227, CCI300 primer; 1575 fps.

Jim -- yes, I am using the as-issued front sight.

 

[Ben]

Glen,

I shoot 17.3 grs. of IMR 4227,with the Lyman #266469 sized 2665.

Deadly accurate out of my new Howa 6.5 X 55.

 

[Glen]

What's the twist on that Howa? Yes, a new barrel will have a tighter throat and groove than the old military barrels. I have a Rem 700 Classic 6.5x55 that shoots the 266469 (sized .266") very nicely at 1900 fps with 26.5 grains of 4895 (but it has a 1 in 9" twist, too).

 

[9.3X62AL]

I have a Ruger 77R in 6.5 x 55 (1 in 9" twist), and the Lyman #266469 has been on hiatus while I try turning the rifle into a varmint strafer with the lighter-weight J-words. That varmint conversion is going along pretty well. One of the pleasures this newer 6.5mm barrel offers is its ability to have Lyman moulds cast bullets that fit well--throat is about .2645", grooves right at .264". Sized at .265" (+ a few tenths), they fly pretty true with 14.0-18.0 grains of 2400. No chrono work with any of these, but each grain of powder increase moves the group center up about 5/8" at 50 yards. Glassware on board is an older Weaver 2x-10x.

I look forward to Glen's rundown on loads for this caliber.

 

[Glen]

Al -- that sounds like a wonderful barrel! For the J-word varmint loads, I have gotten superb performance from the Nosler 100 BT and the Hornady 100 SP. This winter I picked up a Ruger #1 in 6.5x55, but I haven't had a chance to work with it yet (other than getting it sighted in). If my barrel turns out like your 77 I will dance a jig!

 

[9.3X62AL]

This Ruger has been around here for close to 25 years, and I am just now seeing what a versatile caliber it can be. Its work with Nosler 140 Partitions is exemplary, sub-1" all day long at 2700 FPS. These Sierra 85 and Nosler 100 BT really reach out--I was ringing 6" dinger plates at 300 and 400 yards pretty consistently on my last 2-day range trip. I'm hoping to work over some rats with it in NV before the hay gets too high or the temps get too hot.

 

[Glen]

Al -- I would love to hear your recipe for the 140PT. The Sierra 85 can be driven very fast, but it has pretty thick jacket, and doesn't expand like the 100 Hornady or 100 Nosler BT. I would tell you how those two did in one of my 6.5 Contenders on Wyoming prairie dogs at roughly 2500 fps (muzzle), but this is a "family channel" and that might be considered "de classe". At 250 yards, from the handgun, let's just say it was "dramatic".

 

[9.3X62AL]

Recipe for the 140 NosParts......

Rem brass--WLR primers--45.0 grains IMR 4831, scaled and trickled up. My Duo-Measure is a little balky with the long-cut 4831. Brass life has been good, 4 firings before a trim is required (F/L sizing), and no loose primer pockets after 10-12 firings. I toss most of my rifle brass when it needs its 3rd trimming.

These are warmish loadings, not sure I would use them in a milsurp Mauser. Your call as far as that goes, you have forgotten more than I'll ever know about handloading. The load has shot well for me for a long time, and took my 2006 muley very decisively.

An "economy load" that Buckshot came up with for the 6.5 x 55 using any 140 grain jacketed bullet is a full case (55.0 grains) of WC-860 milsurp powder. He claimed military spec velocities and docile pressures with the load. I have run the NosPart 140 and the Hornady 140 spitzer (#2630) with this load, and both are 1" at 100 yards performers, though velocities are 2400-2450 FPS. That is fairly close to 1896-level mil-spec performance.