Projectile suggestions please for LR target load (500 Fly)

[ogre6br]

Hi

My 6.5x55's have all been hunting rifles

I have never shot them seriously at any great distances.

I have my Tikka 695 Master Sporter target rifle up and running again and I would like some projectile options that I could try. (and load suggestions if people want to share)

I want to give 500M fly shooting and F-class upto 700 yards ( max at nearby range) a propper try.

My normal load of a 120 grain hunting bullet isn't going to cut the mustard at those sort of ranges

Lapua brass, CCI BRLR primers, hopefully 2209 but have 2208 if people suggest it

Suggestions please

P

[Ackley Improved]

Sierra 123 or 142 matchkings
Lapua 123 or 139 Scenars
Berger 130 or 140 VLDs

If seating depth will allow, the 142 Sierra would be my first point of call!

Cheers
AI

[Rinso]

Lapua Scenars 123's or 139's with either 2209 or 2213sc

[stinkitup]

Don't forget the 140 Amax as well, I have been using the hornady 140 sst in my swede with 2209 and they will shoot better than MOA out to 500 (longest I have shot it) figure'd they are a good compromise for game and target but my 308 is almost up and running now.

As above there is plenty to choose from in the 140gr range.

Norma also make some nice target proj's I believe but never seen them in AU.

[malcolm]

Speaking of 6.5 calibers--- does anyone know why Sierra manufactures both a 140 gn and a 142 gn match projectile
Cheers malcolm

[Aussie_bob]

Yes they do they start at 107Gr then 120 & 123 then 140 and 142 check out their website http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm? ... splayAll=1
Ogre dont worry about useing the bloody 6.5 for 300m FLY the 30BR will piss it in just use some decent projectiles around the 115 to 125 gr if you use the 125gr TNTs just shove 33.5grs of 2207 up its bum it will blow em away.

[Klicker]

Speaking of 6.5 calibers--- does anyone know why Sierra manufactures both a 140 gn and a 142 gn match projectile
Cheers malcolm

Malcolm, I beleive they are different ogive (140 is a tangent and 142 is secant, I think) types, not EXACTLY sure, but take a look at the difference in Coefficient between 140 and 142 and you will see what the diff really is.. personally from what I have read and understand the 140 gr range is the ducks nuts and the 142's are where its at in the 6.5 match range from sierra.

Stinkitup's swede shoots well beyond what is expected of it when he's running the 140 SSTs I've seen it personally shoot very well off the f-class mound especially for a sporter weight barrel.

[stinkitup]

not sure I would call the old girl's barrel a sporter nah she's alright for a military spec chamber and original barrel.

[Klicker]

well its not a varmint profile and its not a palma either.. so its a mauser profile.. happy now

[tiger]

Go the 139 Lapua's, mine is a 6.5x55 Ackley, so can't give you powder weight recommendations
but with 2209, 2950fps should be achievable (it's easy with the Ackley) and performs well.

In the end, get out and give a few of each a try if you can. I was using 140 A-max's, the jackets
seemed to be a little softer than the Lapua as it seemed to take a little longer to clean after the
same number of rounds, accuracy was ok though, but the 139's shoot a little better in my barrel.

Cheers

Dave G

[Klicker]

Dave, what type of shooting are you doing with the 6.5x55 Ackley?

I'm keen to one day setup a 6.5x55 improved for F-Open one of these days

[Mick]

He's shooting F-Open, Fly and 1K BR with it at the same club as I am, and stealing my chambering. hahaha.

Sharpening the shoulder on the swede and straightening the case is about the best thing you can do with it I think. Case life is hugely improved, and I push the coated 139 scenar at 3100 using 2209, and still have a little (very little) room in the case for more. Pretty much same or better performance than any 6.5x284 I know of, using less powder, creating less pressure, and getting better barrel life.

[Klicker]

yeah this is the reason I've been looking at the swede improved Mick.. so much is telling me its just as good as the 6.5-284, and you get the added benefits of Lapua making brass for the 6.5x55.. I was looking at the 260 improved but I'm not keen on necking up or down (243 or 308 brass) and the swede is identical or better than the 260..

thanks for the details

- Kent

[Rinso]

klicker,

The 260AI is every bit as good as the 6.5x55AI or the 6.5-284. As far as necking up/down goes neck up 243's and you have a huge range to choose from including Lapua same goes for necking down 308's.
I am currently using Norma 243 necked up and have found that 47 grns of 2209 drives the 123 scenar at 3150fps no trouble at all. I will get good barrel life and have found two accuracy nodes with very limited testing, seems to shoot anything that I throw at it.

cheers
Rinso

[Klicker]

Thanks Rinso

At least I bark up the right tree sometimes mate

Thanks, I'll be saving some cash and asking shane to build me one soon as I have some $$$ available to do so.