by Lorgar » 23 Oct 2013, 8:21 pm
You're right, the max COAL for 6.5x55 swede is 3.150. That' is maximum length though, not mandatory length.
As explained above though, in some cases a magazine may not be long enough to fit a cartridge which is at max COAL, even if this would otherwise be ideal for the rifle. This is why manufacturers make shorter rounds.
For your reloading, first thing I'd say to do is load up a dummy cartridge with a bullet only (no powder/primer) as your test one.
Seat the bullet for a COAL of 3.150" as above and see if it will fix in your magazine at all and how easily it chambers.
That will give you a starting point for determining the best cartridge length for your rifle specifically.
If it fits in the magazine fine but is too long to chamber easily, then you can start working it back to fine the seating depth which is just off your lands.
Obviously if it won't even fit in the magazine 3.150" then you'll have to work it down to fit in before anything else. It may be that your magazine determines your max COAL, not your actual rifle.
Hope that helps.