Swede 6.5x55 and European loads

[buckfever 1]

I have been told that the Europeans load the 6.5x55 Swede to Maximums we don't do in the USA.  Does anyone know what those Velocities would be.  I reload and would like to load a flat shooting 120 grn or 125 grain load.  I have a new Tikka T3 that really is a shooter.  I am not interested in pushing pressures beyond safe levels.  I just think most factory ammo is loaded way down because the companies are afraid someone will shoot it in a 100 year old firearm.  Anybody have any loads they could share.  I sure like this caliber.   Buckfever

[Lone Star]

Speer #14 lists loads for 58,000 psi, the same level as used by European loaders.
Fastest loads in a 24" barrel:
90 -grain @ 3410 fps
120-grain @ 2851
140-grain @ 2655

These are gains of up to 200 fps over "US factory pressure" loads.

.

[Sweet 6.5]

Hi

According to Sako they get 2600 fps with 156gr Gameheads and 2790fps
with 139gr.
Lapua 2560 fps with their 155gr Mega.

I used the 156gr. Sako's in my 96 without any problems - accuracy is not good
enough (pitty) but they are moving a lot faster than my handloads.

Cheers
Sweet

[Mikey]

No, they don't laod to maximum pressures - the European ammo (and you did not say which brand) loads to the original velocity and pressure specs. 

The VihtaVuori Oy manual lists, for example, a 6.5 Swede 140 gn slug at 2626'/sec with 46.4k cup pressure. 

Sellier and Bellot (Austrian, I believe) is most excellent factory European ammunition at original specs and shoots incredibly well in my rifles.  The PRVI ammo is next down the line.  Norma, if ever available, is excellent quality ammo. 

If you have loading dies, access to VihtaVuori Oy powders (try Midsouth, one of our sponsors) and bullets, you can make your own original European loadings.  The VV loadings for the 303 Brit, 8mm Mauser and 444 I have used are incredibly accurate.  HTH.  Mikey.