Savage 6.5 Swede Load found!

[Davemuzz]

I've been "fooling" around with my Savage M-12 action with a Shilen barrel in 6.5 Swede in a 1-9 twist for a few months now. I was loading up some Hornady's and Bergers over different amounts of different powders and setting the OAL's at different lengths. It never ceases to amaze me that a grain of powder or a few thousands of seating length can make all the difference in the world to group size.

Well, the "final" load came in at "well over" any published load for RL-22 powder. So, if you choose to use this load YOU MUST BE AWARE that it is over the published data and you could damage your gun or worse! I would not recommend this for old military Mauser action rifles as the metals in those guns are not like today's modern rifles.

So, Winchester LR primers, 48 gr. RL-22, 140 gr. Berger VLD bullets seated 20 thousands off the lands. The load cronographed at 2725 fps and my 5 shot group measured .555".

Here is a pic of the group.

[LaOtto222]

It is really nice when it comes together. I have been following you on your project. I do not have a Swede, but my understanding is that it can be loaded over standard loadings in a strong action. Much like the 45 Colt or 45-70 Gov. can, only not as much over as those old war horses. I think Tim (Quicktodoo) choose the 6.5 Swede over the 260 Rem because it could be loaded up to levels higher than the 260, even though it is listed below the 260 in most manuals for his project gun. Of course you need to always start low and work your way up, as you did.

[Davemuzz]

Yeah. The ballistics of the Swede, the 6.5-57, 6.5-284, 260 and a few "other" 6.5's are "relatively" close. Most of the published ballistic loads show the maximum loads for the 140 grain bullets to be 2400fps to 2600 fps. I believe it's because there are so many older military Mauser actions either  original or re-barreled that publishers are printing "safe" loads for the older receiver metals.

However, when you get the 6.5 140 grain bullet up to 2700 +fps and put it a about +2" at 100 yards, I believe (i was looking at the ballistic tables earlier this morning....so I'm going off of memory) that at 400 yards, the bullet drop is 24" and it still carries 1300 ft\lbs of energy!

So.....with a good BDC reticle on a scope, and some range time, those long shots can be taken with a bit more of a "comfort level" knowing that not only will you hit the target, but the bullet will still have the energy necessary to make a clean kill.

Needless to say I am quite satisfied with this project. For a total project cost of $1,020 (which includes the Leupold 4-12X 40mm BCD Reticle of $300) there is no doubt that I feel I have a "winner" of a gun. The Shilen barrel is a definite plus and was well worth the 12 week wait knowing i will have this gun forever.

Plus....the Swede recoil is just mild blip on the radar screen!

Dave