I load the 160's in the 2,500fps range while my favourite 129gr. high velocity load runs 2,966fps with 52.0gr. Re#19. These are in the 22" barrel chrono'd at 10' form the muzzle. As well, my best 140gr. SP load is 51.0gr. RE#22 for 2,864fps. All of these show .0005" (1/2 thou) less 'expansion ring' expansion than does the Norma factory 156gr. load, so either the RP/WW bras is stronger than the Norma brass, or the pressure is less. Either way, they are plenty safe in my rifle - fast and powerful. Loaded to the same expansion rate as factory Norma ammo, the 129's ould exceed 3,000fps from the 22" barrel - but there is no need. They are fine where they are, actually duplicating most 130gr. .270 Winchester factory ammo at this point.
: I-too believe the old 6.5x55 is mostly an unsung great round. It is a good round at factory levels and loading it to it's potential merely increases it's effectiveness as long as descent bullets are used. Fellows up here bought the Oberndorfs when a bunch hit the market back in the mid 1980's. Most of them used factory Norma 156gr. ammo for their moose for several years. I heard of only one that took more than one shot and that was due to a poor first hit.
; It's a fun round in it's normal guise, or run out to the Improved Arch or Ackley chambering. I went so far as to re-chamber one to 6.5x68 for a pressure test scenario after reading about Arch's experiments. The action is much stronger than many people give it credit for.