6.5X55 loads

[frt96]

I am pretty new to reloading,

How do I know if my loads are any good??
I loaded 43.5 grains of H4350 with 140 grain SST Hornady bullets.

Here's the deal I can't shoot Iron sights to save my life.
The wepon is a 1917 model96 mauser.

All loads I have tried with both 140grain and 129. Both shoot around 2"@ 50 yards. I know I am a good shot with a scope I shot some hand loads with my 30-06 today also and They seemed to shoot great! less than 1" @50.

So should I just bite it and tap the mauser for a scope, or is there some other way to test the accuracy with the Irons??

I love the swede and I can see my wife using it this deer season.
I just want to work up some good loads.

[Gunsrruss]

Swede

Well, old buddy your between a rock and a hard spot. I have two rifles re-barreled in 6.5X55. My pet load is 44gr of 4350 on a 140 Nosler comp. bullet. It works wonders out to 1,000 yards
I had my Turk 8MM re-barreled using a new barrel I bought for my swede. It screwed right on. Then I had a smith cut down that barrel to 24" and put scope mounts on. Then I took a M48 Mauser (8MM)and had the same smith re-barrel that to 6.5X55. My original Swede I sold sense it had all matching numbers. Now, because the 8MM Mausers are large ring and the 96 is a small ring I can use hotter loads if I choose. I did not like the long gun scoped. That's why I had the smith shorten the Turk down to 24". Then when you put a scope on it it's not so front heavy. You will like what you get from the 6.5. Like I said, with a scope I can hit a 24" round plate at 1,000 yards with the 6.5 . I have a Leupold Mark 4 3-10-40 L/R tactical. Not the best scope...it needs more power. I have a 5.5-22-56 Night Force on my Rem. 700 in .308 and it's perfect, but also $1700. Good luck with your project

[Agustav]

I was in the same situation as you (can't hold a decent group at 100 yards with open sight).

I end up buying myself a Caldwell Lead sled... It make load development with military rifle much easier/consistent.

[gvbsat]

This is what you need to do.

Learn to shoot with iron sights.

Your scoped out 30-06, you should be shooting through the same hole at 50 yards or at least hitting the first hole with a three shot group.

There is nothing wrong with the sweed sights. I load a 140g SK BT with 25gr of IMR4060 and a standard fed primer and get sub 2 at 100 yards. The rifles is more accurate than the shooter.

Learn to shoot your irons

[chris]

I am pretty new to reloading,

How do I know if my loads are any good??
I loaded 43.5 grains of H4350 with 140 grain SST Hornady bullets.

Here's the deal I can't shoot Iron sights to save my life.
The wepon is a 1917 model96 mauser.

All loads I have tried with both 140grain and 129. Both shoot around 2"@ 50 yards. I know I am a good shot with a scope I shot some hand loads with my 30-06 today also and They seemed to shoot great! less than 1" @50.

So should I just bite it and tap the mauser for a scope, or is there some other way to test the accuracy with the Irons??

I love the swede and I can see my wife using it this deer season.
I just want to work up some good loads.

i have a 6.5x55 mauser and i have just started using the bullet you are using. have you tried IMR4064 with your rifle. i have used it for years with excellent results at the range and while hunting.

i use 39.5 grs. of IMR 4064 using Winchester brass. i was pointed in the direction of using the 4064 as it burns even and quite clean. give it a try and let us know.

[frt96]

Thanksfor the tips on the mauser. I think I'll just shoot the rest I have loaded and try to dial in my Iron sight shooting.

As far as the -06 making a 1 hole group at 50 yards..I wish.!! I always seem to yank one.
I need a little more practice with the high power rifles!