6.5x55 with 19" barrel

[todayshighlights]

So i picked up a sported Swede 96 (1923). Barrel cut to 19", williams peep sight, the rest matches. It is a great little working gun.

This is my first attempt at rifle reloading. I have been reloading for a few months on my Dillon Square Deal for .357.

I will be using 120-140 grain bullets. But don't know which powder to use with this short barrel. RL-22 and RL-19 are clearly the favorites with full length barrels, but there is a lot of data for faster powders like 4350 and Varget.

Would I be losing a lot more velocity with RL-22 compared to Varget, or would it nor make a difference with a 19" barrel?

 

[steve4102]

The powder that gives the highest velocity in a short barrel will also give the highest velocity in a longer barrel.

If you want velocity use the slower burners like R-22, 7828. As far as accuracy goes, only your rifle can tell you which powder will work best.

 

[Kachok]

In my extensive experience with the 6.5x55 slow burning powders perform the best, my best results have been with RL19 through RL22 burn rates, RL22 is my hands down favorite in 140gr. Slow burning powders in such a short barrel should perform well, but the muzzle blast could be a bit excessive. I would share my 6.5x55 load data but I am afraid you could not use my modern action loads in a 96 action.

 

[Edarnold]

The slowest burning powders discussed here will undoubtedly produce excessive muzzle blast from this short barrel. Whether this will damage accuracy is uncertain, but it will certainly make the gun unpleasant to shoot, especially if used for hunting without ear protection. If it were my rifle, I'd be working up loads with a moderate rate powder like Varget, especially with bullets as light as 120gr. The difference in velocity from slow burning powders like RL 22 should be minimal, and your ears will thank you for it.

IMHO

 

[todayshighlights]

After much research, and a trip to Cabela's to see what bullets are available, I went with RL-19. Picked up SST 123 grain bullets, but no brass or LR primers.

Bought 5 boxes of PPU ammo to shoot to get the brass. Now to find dies and primers.

 

[oneounceload]

I had a 16"carbine and it really liked 3031 and 4064 for accuracy. Those loads weren't barn burners, but from my 1907 Swede, 3 shots would go into 1-1/4"every time at 100 yards with Sierra 120 gr spitzers

 

[steve4102]

The slowest burning powders discussed here will undoubtedly produce excessive muzzle blast from this short barrel. Whether this will damage accuracy is uncertain, but it will certainly make the gun unpleasant to shoot, especially if used for hunting without ear protection.

Nonsense!

 

[Float Pilot]

My shorter barreled Swedes like H-100V powder, RL-19 and even RL-17.

 

[shoptom]

I know you didn`t mention cast bullets, but Swedes are the greatest if you ever want to shoot cast in a rifle!
Good shooting,
Tom