6.5x55 Swede M96

yyj200

yyj200

Regular
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
26   0   0
Location
BC
I have an older M96 (1908), and was trying to find a load that will shoot safely and accurately. I'm finding much discrepancy with my load data info. I am using H4350, with 140gr weight bullets. The Speer manual states for old military mauser actions, the range is 34-36 grains of said powder, as opposed to the Hodgdon data which specifies 39.5-44.0 grains. Hodgdon minimums are above the Speer max load, and state safe pressures for this firearm, what gives? To be safe I have loaded 36 gr. of H4350 under a 140 bullet, with a 3.00" COAL, not tested as of yet. Any insight and experience with such ammo and firearm would be much appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Are the Speer loads specifically listed for the M96 or just "military actions"?
It is my understanding that the Krag rifles in 6.5x55mm had somewhat weaker actions than the Mausers and a lot of the "military action" loads at reduced pressure are meant for those.
Every person I've ever met who handloads 6.5x55 for a Swede Mauser of any age uses loads in the modern commercial range. Personally I use 45gr of H4831 under 140gr bullets in my 1900 Oberndorf M96. Max for a modern action is listed as 47gr.
Swedes tend to prefer somewhat hotter loads for best accuracy. I've talked to guys loading 47gr of H4831 which in my rifle can cause stiff extractions.
 
No worries, always good to look up reloading data. I believe the sweet spot for my 1901 M96 is 40gr. of IMR4350 (H4350 is similar as it's made by the same company). I would safely recommend you go with 40grains of H4350 without any issues of overpressure etc.... The swedes have a long throat as their original ammunition projectiles were quite long. I use 140gr Hornady SP's I load mine til the bottom of the bullet cannulure is just above the case mouth.

...for COAL Try this, load a dummy round (no powder, no primer) purposefully long, then progressively seat the bullet back til the bolt closes or until you are no longer touching the lands. I get 2" groups in my M96 with iron sights. Enjoy
 
Thank you for the info. My mauser is a M96, Carl Gustafs. So I should be good to go somewhat higher then. I had noticed that loads in the mid 40's were more common. Will there be any ill effects if I do try the lighter loads of 36gr, other than accuracy. Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
Lower velocity, perhaps worse accuracy (though possibly better).
It isn't low enough to cause ignition problems or leave unburnt powder.
Nothing wrong with the lighter loads if it meets your needs/wants.

I load for accuracy and if I need higher velocity I use a different rifle with a bigger cartridge.
Some people prefer to load for velocity and then try to find accuracy after. Whatever floats your boat.
 
One of the target rifles used by DCRA shooters was the M96 with a 7.62 barrel shooting Canadian military ball ammo. This ammo ran 55,000 to 60,000 psi. Never a problem.

The low pressure loads quoted in loading manuals are out of respect the single lug Krags made in that caliber.

Start low, work up and find what shoots best in your rifle.
 
Ganderite said:
One of the target rifles used by DCRA shooters was the M96 with a 7.62 barrel shooting Canadian military ball ammo. This ammo ran 55,000 to 60,000 psi. Never a problem.

The low pressure loads quoted in loading manuals are out of respect the single lug Krags made in that caliber. Start low, work up and find what shoots best in your rifle.
Click to expand...

Quite correct, in fact the rifle was proofed at approx. 66000 PSI prior to leaving the factory. I simply load lighter as I'm punching paper holes out to 200 yards and I don't want to stress my brass and maximize the number of reloads.
 
samsplacci71 said:
Quite correct, in fact the rifle was proofed at approx. 66000 PSI prior to leaving the factory. I simply load lighter as I'm punching paper holes out to 200 yards and I don't want to stress my brass and maximize the number of reloads.
Click to expand...

I hear ya.And none of the loads we have worked up in any of our Swedes are what you would call unsatisfactory,regardless of the powder charge, when it comes to being reasonably close to the bullseye.Love those rifles.
 
@ bjmurata, I just love shooting the Swedes. The m96 was my first Mauser....fast forward, I now own 2 in 8mm and 3 different Swedes. I love the Mauser design and the 6.5x55 mm cartridge.
 
Im also a big swede fan and love mine and my father Carl Gustav M96.. Mine 1900 and dads is 1904.. Numbers Matching.. My load is 44.2gr IMR 4831 under a 140gr Sierra Game King with a Federal 210 Match primer with no pressure signs in Remington brass... I have recently switched from remington brass (CAUSE ITS CRAP!!!!) and went to some old NNY European brass.. (I started another form on here not long ago about 6.5x55 brass.. it has alot of good info on it about head size in the brass..) I will know tomorrow afternoon how thing works out for pressure. This load did give me 1/4 inch groups at 100 and better if i do my part. I have also rebarrels mine with a factory M38 barrel from Tradeexcanada for 100 dollars and put a Boyds gun stock on it.. Gotta love the ol Swede!!
 
I've got 2 M38's. Hadn't shot either one in about 10 yrs. Local Fish and Game Club had a Turkey shoot a couple weeks ago. Got one of the old ladies out and put 20 practice rounds down range before the shoot. Last 3 rounds made a group of about an inch and a quarter at 100yds (open sights). Only fired it twice on day of the shoot and took home one bird. I've only used one load in this rifle since I bought it in the early eighty's. 35.0 grs of 4064 behind 140 gr Hornady SP's in Norma cases. Probably won me more than 25 turkeys over the years.
 
Old Ranger said:
I've got 2 M38's. Hadn't shot either one in about 10 yrs. Local Fish and Game Club had a Turkey shoot a couple weeks ago. Got one of the old ladies out and put 20 practice rounds down range before the shoot. Last 3 rounds made a group of about an inch and a quarter at 100yds (open sights). Only fired it twice on day of the shoot and took home one bird. I've only used one load in this rifle since I bought it in the early eighty's. 35.0 grs of 4064 behind 140 gr Hornady SP's in Norma cases. Probably won me more than 25 turkeys over the years.
Click to expand...

IMR 4064 is one thing I have lots of, I have never used it in the 6.5. I will have to try it, thanks!
 
I've been using 42gr of BL-C(2) with 129gr SSTs to good effect. Keeps em in the black, and it's a 6.5, so recoil is still minimal. Had a little primer flattening with 43gr with no difference in accuracy. This is with a 1909 CG M96. Technically above max loads (actually, BL-C(2) is only listed for 110gr and lighter bullets IIRC).

Watch your necks and primers, and work up, and you'll know you're heading into dangerous territory WELL before any kind of catastrophic failure.
 
ackertjosh said:
im also a big swede fan and love mine and my father carl gustav m96.. Mine 1900 and dads is 1904.. Numbers matching.. My load is 44.2gr imr 4831 under a 140gr sierra game king with a federal 210 match primer with no pressure signs in remington brass... I have recently switched from remington brass (cause its crap!!!!) and went to some old nny european brass.. (i started another form on here not long ago about 6.5x55 brass.. It has alot of good info on it about head size in the brass..) i will know tomorrow afternoon how thing works out for pressure. this load did give me 1/4 inch groups at 100 and better if i do my part. I have also rebarrels mine with a factory m38 barrel from tradeexcanada for 100 dollars and put a boyds gun stock on it.. Gotta love the ol swede!!
Click to expand...

lol!
 
I just checked and 139 gr prvi bullets I moly coated are scooting across the chrony at 2820.... I use 49 grains of RP5.
 
samsplacci71 said:
@ bjmurata, I just love shooting the Swedes. The m96 was my first Mauser....fast forward, I now own 2 in 8mm and 3 different Swedes. I love the Mauser design and the 6.5x55 mm cartridge.
Click to expand...
The Swedes are becoming a bit of an addiction around here too.I never had one in my hands until only about a year and a half ago,before much longer we are going to have to spring for another storage container.Every chance I get another one comes home and some of my favourites are the commercially produced variants of the basic M96 military rifle.One of the nicest shooting rifles I have is an M96 1900 Oberndorf professionally reworked into a sporter in 8X54 caliber.Bought this rifle from Tradex with barely a mark on it,gorgeous deep bluing and very nice wood topped off with a pristine bore.Another of my favourites is an M46AN in 9.3X62 caliber,very uncommon and I'm lucky to have one from what I understand.Hell!!I'm counting myself lucky to have any of them,the Swedes are fast becoming an obsession around here,limited only by my budget.I'm definitely a convert.
 
bjmurata said:
The Swedes are becoming a bit of an addiction around here too.I never had one in my hands until only about a year and a half ago,before much longer we are going to have to spring for another storage container.Every chance I get another one comes home and some of my favourites are the commercially produced variants of the basic M96 military rifle.One of the nicest shooting rifles I have is an M96 1900 Oberndorf professionally reworked into a sporter in 8X54 caliber.Bought this rifle from Tradex with barely a mark on it,gorgeous deep bluing and very nice wood topped off with a pristine bore.Another of my favourites is an M46AN in 9.3X62 caliber,very uncommon and I'm lucky to have one from what I understand.Hell!!I'm counting myself lucky to have any of them,the Swedes are fast becoming an obsession around here,limited only by my budget.I'm definitely a convert.
Click to expand...

When I got to shoot at Silverdale, all my friends wanna shoot my 1901 CG m96. I picked it, my m96 sporter and my K31 from Anthony at Trade Ex. My sporter will be my deer rifle.
 
I tested my 36 gr H4350, under 140 loads today. I was quite surprised. Groups were aprox 2-3 inches, but waaaay high at 100m. I have to get a taller front sight for 100 meters, but wasn't bad, back of 200. Nice rifle for over 100 yrs. I see what people mean.
 
yyj200 said:
I tested my 36 gr H4350, under 140 loads today. I was quite surprised. Groups were aprox 2-3 inches, but waaaay high at 100m. I have to get a taller front sight for 100 meters, but wasn't bad, back of 200. Nice rifle for over 100 yrs. I see what people mean.
Click to expand...

I believe the lowest setting on mine is 300, and it shoots about 8 inches high at 100.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom