So...my husband bought a few guns, among them was a Swedish M96 rifle (1915), which I promptly claimed!
I want to try my hand at the vintage rifle matches, and while I really wanted a Springfield 1903, I decided the 6.5 would be much easier on my old shoulder than an '06.
Now to work up a good load for it. I've done a little reading and decided, if I find some, I'll get PPU factory loads for future donor brass, if no Lapua pops up at a gunshow. Seems that several folks commented on various forums about the Remington brass, it has a different rim diameter than European-produced brass, which can affect the useable life of the brass.
Not by any means an expert in handloading, I did all my BP cartridge loads, pistol & shotgun, for Cowboy Action shooting, but nothing like this, so it will be interesting. My husband has a fair amount of loading experience, not sure if he ever did rifle loads, though. We'll see.
I understand that the 6.5x55 likes slower burning powders and 120-140 gr for accuracy, also found lots of "pet" loads posted. But I'm conservative, and would like to start with a recipe in an established data book. Smokeless powder is a WHOLE lot less forgiving than the Holy Black!
I want to try my hand at the vintage rifle matches, and while I really wanted a Springfield 1903, I decided the 6.5 would be much easier on my old shoulder than an '06.
Now to work up a good load for it. I've done a little reading and decided, if I find some, I'll get PPU factory loads for future donor brass, if no Lapua pops up at a gunshow. Seems that several folks commented on various forums about the Remington brass, it has a different rim diameter than European-produced brass, which can affect the useable life of the brass.
Not by any means an expert in handloading, I did all my BP cartridge loads, pistol & shotgun, for Cowboy Action shooting, but nothing like this, so it will be interesting. My husband has a fair amount of loading experience, not sure if he ever did rifle loads, though. We'll see.
I understand that the 6.5x55 likes slower burning powders and 120-140 gr for accuracy, also found lots of "pet" loads posted. But I'm conservative, and would like to start with a recipe in an established data book. Smokeless powder is a WHOLE lot less forgiving than the Holy Black!