I have been trying to work up a load for a little 6.5 Swed carbine. It has a 18'' barrell and is based on a '96 Mauser action. I would like to use the Hornady 129 gn bullet. Powders i have already tried are h-414 , Varget, and H-4831sc. Anybody have any pet loads in this caliber that have provided consistant results?
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Finicky 6.5 Swed
- Thread starter paknheat
- Start date
Wildalaska
Moderator
RL 22 is the powder of choice for swedey, use 140s
Wild6.5Alaska
Wild6.5Alaska
archeomania
New member
+1 for the RL-22. That is definitely the powder that the Swede prefers. All my best loads have been with that powder. I have also had success with Varget.
Thanx for the input , this little rifle was a project rifle that a friend built. Most load data i have found for the swed usually relies on a 20'' or longer barrell.I know this thing is capable of really great accuracy, for when i sighted it in,i used a box of PMC 139gn factory ammo and it gave MOA @ 100yds. Has anyone tried this round with H-4350, i just picked a can of this up and am going to try it , as well as some IMR-4895.
Wildalaska
Moderator
RL 22 as I understand it is an updATED VERSION of the original swede military powder
WildiircAlaska
WildiircAlaska
Schmeisser
New member
+1 for RL 22. Fine powder. But you'll use it to fertilize your garden with once you've experienced the accuracy of N 140 (w/ 139/140/144 grs bullets).
archeomania
New member
+1 for RL 22. Fine powder. But you'll use it to fertilize your garden with once you've experienced the accuracy of N 140 (w/ 139/140/144 grs bullets).
So what is your load data using N140. I would be willing to give that a try. I find it hard to believe it could beat RL-22 but I will give it a try.
Schmeisser
New member
@archeomania:
WARNING: Vihtavuori does NOT recommend N 140 anymore for 140++ grs bullets.
NEVERTHELESS: In Europe very many Swede shooters use this powder and attain a surprising accuracy with it. I've seen it myself and talked to a number of them. They mostly use 140 grs bullets w/ 36 to 37 grs N140, COL about 3.150" or less.
I'll study how I can attach an image and post an example of my OCW test.
WARNING: Vihtavuori does NOT recommend N 140 anymore for 140++ grs bullets.
NEVERTHELESS: In Europe very many Swede shooters use this powder and attain a surprising accuracy with it. I've seen it myself and talked to a number of them. They mostly use 140 grs bullets w/ 36 to 37 grs N140, COL about 3.150" or less.
I'll study how I can attach an image and post an example of my OCW test.
Schmeisser
New member
Here we are:
100 yds from the sandbag over iron sights, under rain & wind (hence the flyer):
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/LeicaIII/L373-1.jpg
The two neighboring groups looked almost the same. As I said: This is MY load, developed for MY rifle.
100 yds from the sandbag over iron sights, under rain & wind (hence the flyer):
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/LeicaIII/L373-1.jpg
The two neighboring groups looked almost the same. As I said: This is MY load, developed for MY rifle.
Wildalaska
Moderator
I got this thing about reloading...if a powder manufacturer says no, dont use it, I dont care who does it anyway. Your posting of a load thats directly against an manufacturers reccomendation is seriously wrong.
The rest of the post of how wonderful n140 vis a vis rl22 is is just silly.
WildyoushouldedityourpostAlaska
The rest of the post of how wonderful n140 vis a vis rl22 is is just silly.
WildyoushouldedityourpostAlaska
One other
I have had good results with IMR 4320 as well. But each rifle is different. Yours may or may not like a particular powder. Or it may be indifferent. Rifles are funny that way. My Swede is the long rifle (29" bbl), but I did have a carbine (18", I think) many years ago.
They do seem to shoot best with the 140, and the 160gr FMJ RN does pretty well also, accuracy wise, if you can get them. Many of the Swedes don't shoot their best with lighter bullets.
One more thing, I can't remember about the carbine, but the rifles are "battle sight zero" for about 300 meters. Anything closer, and they tend to shoot high. One fix is to replace the front sight. Replacements in different heights are available. Most of us just learn to hold under a bit.
Thanks for the info about RL 22. I haven't tried it yet, but the next batch I load, I will.
I have had good results with IMR 4320 as well. But each rifle is different. Yours may or may not like a particular powder. Or it may be indifferent. Rifles are funny that way. My Swede is the long rifle (29" bbl), but I did have a carbine (18", I think) many years ago.
They do seem to shoot best with the 140, and the 160gr FMJ RN does pretty well also, accuracy wise, if you can get them. Many of the Swedes don't shoot their best with lighter bullets.
One more thing, I can't remember about the carbine, but the rifles are "battle sight zero" for about 300 meters. Anything closer, and they tend to shoot high. One fix is to replace the front sight. Replacements in different heights are available. Most of us just learn to hold under a bit.
Thanks for the info about RL 22. I haven't tried it yet, but the next batch I load, I will.
+1 on Wildalaskas advice. RL22 or Vit N560 both work well a little more velocity with the 560 as it is a double base powder, the Hornady 140sp does very well in mine, with either above powders and Federal match primers it will give between .25- .5 groups at 100 yds, depending on the shooter.
Use the powder manufacturers advised loads, they change things from year to year, for many reasons. So use an uptodate manufacturers manual and stick to their advice.
Use the powder manufacturers advised loads, they change things from year to year, for many reasons. So use an uptodate manufacturers manual and stick to their advice.