Today's reloading question..Gold Dot Rifle

[Tenntrapper]

First, I want to thank you guys for the advice/suggestions you've been providing. Thank you
Second, what would you do here?

Working with a modern action 6.5x55
Speer 120g Gold Dot

Aside from the difference in load data from Mauser to modern action, there is also considerable difference between bullet/powder manufacturers.

Speer says to use ONLY their data for the Gold Dots. Yet they provide no data in either their books or online for the Swede.

Calling them just gets you told that they haven't tested that combo, but will add it when/if they do.

Online researching implies that since it's a pure copper jacket, maximum pressure should be avoided, as jacket burn through and leading is a possibility.

Others suggest looking at trends with other calibers, that they do provide data for. Doing this looks like the trend is a slightly heavier charge for the Gold Dots. Speer, however, provides no data for any of their 120s for the Swede or Mauser actions. Just 90s and 140s.

I'm sure someone will suggest using Nosler's data, but I don't know where that would fit into the picture..they are usually a little heavier to begin with.

I've read that the Gold Dots are similar/same as the Deep Curls. Does anyone have experience with those? Maybe the GDs would behave the same.

So, besides getting a caliber that isn't so confusing, and divided, what would you do in this scenario?

BTW, I initially bought these 120s for a Grendel that I had. Would like to use them up. Maybe a good, light coyote load.

Thanks

 

[Jcalder]

If they want you to stay away from a heavy load I'd probably use their 6.5x55 data for a different bullet. If they don't have any 6.5x55 data I'd just pick a load from one of the other manufacturers and not exceed about 75% between min and max


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[Omega]

I'd use other manufacturer's data for the same weight bullet, start low and work up, looking for pressure signs along the way.

 

[Tenntrapper]

If they want you to stay away from a heavy load I'd probably use their 6.5x55 data for a different bullet. If they don't have any 6.5x55 data I'd just pick a load from one of the other manufacturers and not exceed about 75% between min and max


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Speer has data for the 6.5x55, both military and modern action rifles. They just don't offer any data for 120g bullets. And nothing at all for either gold dot in 6.5. Speer doesn't say to not use max loads, actually in other calibers, their GD loads are higher than their other bullets. Nosler has 120 load data, but most of their data is higher than Speers. I don't know where to start. Yes, I could start low and work up, but I'm not sure I would know if I was getting jacket burn through...or if it's even a real problem. Like I said, I read that online about pure copper jackets.
I also load some 130g Swift bullets. I've been told they are pure copper. Maybe starting with that data and work up slowly..??

 

[Omega]

If they want you to stay away from a heavy load I'd probably use their 6.5x55 data for a different bullet. If they don't have any 6.5x55 data I'd just pick a load from one of the other manufacturers and not exceed about 75% between min and max


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Speer has data for the 6.5x55, both military and modern action rifles. They just don't offer any data for 120g bullets. And nothing at all for either gold dot in 6.5. Speer doesn't say to not use max loads, actually in other calibers, their GD loads are higher than their other bullets. Nosler has 120 load data, but most of their data is higher than Speers. I don't know where to start. Yes, I could start low and work up, but I'm not sure I would know if I was getting jacket burn through...or if it's even a real problem. Like I said, I read that online about pure copper jackets.
I also load some 130g Swift bullets. I've been told they are pure copper. Maybe starting with that data and work up slowly..??

I wouldn't worry about jacket burnthrough, just start on the low end of Noslers data and look for pressure signs and accuracy at the target. If you really want to know about the jacket, capture one with water, sand, or thick wet newspaper.

 

[Tenntrapper]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a try. Until I started looking for data for this bullet, I had never heard of jacket burn through. I didn't know if it's a real problem, or even how to know it was happening. Thanks again

 

[vonb]

I ran into a similar situation. I wanted to loaded Speer .224 75 gr Gold Dots in a .22-250 as I think that would be some decent deer medicine. I called Speer and was told they hadn't tested it and that it was my fault if I damaged my rifle. I went ahead and tried it anyway and used similar load data for another brand 75 grain bullet. I started low and worked up .3 gr at a time all while seating them .020 off the lands while watching chrono speeds. I had no surprises and was able to reach max pressure where I expected to hit it.

If you are in doubt, look into downloading Gordon's Reloading Tool (GRT) which is free software similar to QuickLoad. This will give you a very close approximation of chamber pressure and velocity in your gun provided your using a mainstream powder. I had to manually add the 75 gr. Speer GD bullet to the database. The only caveat is that you must provide accurate data as input meaning that:

1) Provide the water volume from a case fired from THAT chamber. (Fired case filled with water - dry case fired = water volume)
2) Fired Case OAL
3) OAL of loaded ammo
4) Barrel length

Lastly, I'm impressed with the accuracy of the Gold Dots. I have heard the 120s are rated for Grendel speeds as they'll open up too much at .260 Rem speeds. However, it'd be interested to see the results.