Swede mauser m96 start load.
- Thread starter hobophobe
- Start date
I was hoping to test the new stutzen out today! My offset rings aren't high enough for the bolt to clear the bell. Had to order some of the higher weaver offsets. Should still get a good cheek weld.
Guess I'll fondle and smother with linseed.
Guess I'll fondle and smother with linseed.
I'll try that load and work up a bit. I pulled down a bunch of 303 loads i didn't like with it, have a full jar
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Had one of these years ago. If you look on Intersurplus, there are a few much more energetic calibers offered. There's also a lot of caution as you research.
From digging around. It seems to apply to year of manufacturer. Iirc, these were manufactured from 1890's into the 1950's. Some early rifles have questionable metallurgy, generally this got better the newer the rifle.
So caution due to age, metallurgy, and spiciness of loads. Something like what's always disclaimed for.303 Enfield, trapdoor 45-70, 7x57. It's the nature of reloaders to always get the most out of calibers and rifles. Don't on this one. Start low, find yourself an accurate load even if it's low in the power range, go hunting. Maybe a nice round nose bullet, turn the rig into a 30-30 substitute, brother in law gun, or for a new shooter. By brother in law gun; idiot that always seems to scratch, abuse, break your stuff.
From digging around. It seems to apply to year of manufacturer. Iirc, these were manufactured from 1890's into the 1950's. Some early rifles have questionable metallurgy, generally this got better the newer the rifle.
So caution due to age, metallurgy, and spiciness of loads. Something like what's always disclaimed for.303 Enfield, trapdoor 45-70, 7x57. It's the nature of reloaders to always get the most out of calibers and rifles. Don't on this one. Start low, find yourself an accurate load even if it's low in the power range, go hunting. Maybe a nice round nose bullet, turn the rig into a 30-30 substitute, brother in law gun, or for a new shooter. By brother in law gun; idiot that always seems to scratch, abuse, break your stuff.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
I did some reading that suggested the metal was much better than thought for the time period, and the barrels were found to have very low inclusion rate, and very hard to shoot out.
I'd rather hand some plastic gun off for a BIL gun...
If anyone had bothered to read the whole thing. Its not my first 6.5x55. I have one thats an m98 with a new zastava barrel for my coyote loads and a classic 2000 for spicy 129 , 140 , and 160 loads.
Wanted another just because...and it was one of those Goofy full stocked/stutzen rifles which I have taken some liking too lately. The rifle looks like new by the way.
Wanted another just because...and it was one of those Goofy full stocked/stutzen rifles which I have taken some liking too lately. The rifle looks like new by the way.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
Oh, in that case you'd better post a bunch of pictures! Tastefully propped up against some stuff outside preferably.
It's so we can help better!
Nice rifle hobophobe.
That barrel looks to be cut back from it's original 29 inch length, unless it was later re-barreled to 96/38 configuration, which many were.
Don't overthink this. The action is plenty strong enough for Milspec pressures, which run right around 43,000 psi.
The 129 grain bullets, unless they're monolithic types will not generate enough pressure to cause you any concerns, especially at the velocities you want to achieve.
Any powder in the 4350 burn rate range will be appropriate.
The 43.5 grain load suggested is appx 2 grains under suggested maximum and will not give you 2600fps in the barrel length you have on that rifle. Likely it will give you appx 2500fps or less.
Suggested max load for cup and core 129 grain bullets with IMR4350 powder is 45.5 grains and it should give you around 2575fps with a 24in bbl. Subtract 25 fps for each inch shorter.
I've been playing with a new to me M38 and using a similar load with 129 grain bullets, because I have several hundred on hand. My Garmin C1 tells me it's at 2475fps average, and it shoots better than I can hold.
That barrel looks to be cut back from it's original 29 inch length, unless it was later re-barreled to 96/38 configuration, which many were.
Don't overthink this. The action is plenty strong enough for Milspec pressures, which run right around 43,000 psi.
The 129 grain bullets, unless they're monolithic types will not generate enough pressure to cause you any concerns, especially at the velocities you want to achieve.
Any powder in the 4350 burn rate range will be appropriate.
The 43.5 grain load suggested is appx 2 grains under suggested maximum and will not give you 2600fps in the barrel length you have on that rifle. Likely it will give you appx 2500fps or less.
Suggested max load for cup and core 129 grain bullets with IMR4350 powder is 45.5 grains and it should give you around 2575fps with a 24in bbl. Subtract 25 fps for each inch shorter.
I've been playing with a new to me M38 and using a similar load with 129 grain bullets, because I have several hundred on hand. My Garmin C1 tells me it's at 2475fps average, and it shoots better than I can hold.
Thanks for the info! I think its a 20inch barrel.
Ran a couple into the snow bank into the yard at 42 grains of imr4350 just to check for pressure signs. All good. So I have a few around the 41 mark for my sight in....whenever my higher rings get here.
Ran a couple into the snow bank into the yard at 42 grains of imr4350 just to check for pressure signs. All good. So I have a few around the 41 mark for my sight in....whenever my higher rings get here.
I look at many different manuals too and see what seems right
Sorry the bullet weights are actually 90 and 140gr, there are only 3 powders that actually have data for both 90gr and 140gr bullets and not ideal for the larger bullets.
Probably better to just look at the data across the board, start with the lowest one and work up watching for pressure signs.
The OP was referencing 129 gr bullets. So you look at the loads you can find with 125 and 140 gr, see which uses the same powders, and pick a level in between. If you're looking for 90 gr bullet data
Nosler has 100 gr bullet data, you can extrapolate from that. Other manuals have similar data. Download a copy of a burn rate chart, that will help you with your research. It really isnt that difficult. - dan
Yes, but the reply was to specifically use Speer data for military actions, Speer only has data for 100gr and 140gr bullets as that is what they produce. The powders are not the same for the most part, meaning you cannot just split the difference, it does not work that way.
Using other data is fine, which is actually what I suggested, but review many and start and the lesser and move up.
This is speaking from experience with a military Swedish mauser.
