6.5x55mm Swedish and Varget

[GunsNotPuns]

I'm starting to reload for my Carl Gustav M96 and am not entirely sure where to start.

When it comes to these old rifles I generally try and replicate the service round to start and then work from there. I was satisfied, however, with the performance of PPU ammunition which (if the web site is believed) hits around 2300 fps at 100 yards. The original rounds travelled about 2600 fps if I recall correctly.

At any rate, Hodgdon's load data for Varget for a 140 gn bullet starts at 32.5 gn which (again, if the data is to be believed) will see 2300 fps at 100 yards, nearly identical to the PPU ammunition. Max load (36 gn if I recall) will hit about 2600 fps.

Long way of asking, but has anyone played around with this calibre and powder combination and what are your results? I'm inclined to go with the min load of 32.5 gn of Varget and perhaps play around in that neighbourhood.

Bonus points if you've used BL-C(2) and want to share that!

 

[yomomma]

I have been using imr4895 with decent results

 

[polaris]

I load it with 35 grs (149grs bullet) with success since at least 15 years, this is one of my best loads.

 

[Bowyer]

d/t

 

[Bowyer]

I've done some reloading for my son's Swedish Mauser with Varget, IMR4064 and H380 using a few different bullet weights. H380 works best in his rifle with all the different bullets, including Hornady's 140gr ELD.

Mileage varies, though

 

[dero338]

varget is the worst I have tried. 4350 is the one that worked the best yet. re22 very accurate as well but very sensitive to temperature change

 

[grizzly416]

Reloaded 22 is your friend as is vhitavouri

 

[unstableryan]

4831 has been one of my favourites.

 

[Ganderite]

Varget will work, but is too fast for a good powder.

I would say 4350 is as fast a powder you want, and 4831 - RL22 will give you more velocity and less pressure.

 

[stang]

4831sc is the best

 

[Old Ranger]

I've had at least one Swedish Mauser since late "80's. Did a little load development at that time. Settled on 140 gr Hornady SP and midrange load of 4064. Never looked back.

 

[peterdobson]

4064 and Varget are too fast. Try 4831 R2, VV165.

 

[Hitzy]

Varget will work OK with the 100gr and under pills for varmint loads.
120gr and up IMR4831 or H4831.

 

[jethunter]

I tried Varget using Hodgson data with 140gr
- the 32.5 gr starting load was 2200 fps mv in my rifle, under 70% case fill and burned dirty. Seems to be low pressure and didn't shoot well in my rifle.
- the 36gr load clocked 2500fps and left less crap in the barrel but still a bit. Smaller groups than the starting load but still not great.

I had better results with 4350 and 4831.

 

[mad max78]

I am using H4831sc with my 140,142 and 160 gr loads. All shoot very well. All in a 1-8 twist

 

[freire]

Out of 4 or 5 different powders imr 7828 worked best for me.

 

[GunsNotPuns]

I'm sensing a pattern...4831 seems to be a popular choice. That said, I'll try that and a few of the other powders you all mentioned.

 

[jethunter]

I'm sensing a pattern...4831 seems to be a popular choice. That said, I'll try that and a few of the other powders you all mentioned.

4831 has been the classic go-to powder for this cartridge for decades.

 

[Tinman204]

Mark me down as another 4831 user.

My load has been 43.5 grains of H4831 behind a 140 grain pill for all of my Swedish Mauser for years and years. I have 1 perticular FSR match rifle that will print ragged holes with that load with irons. Most of my rifles will hold under a minute with the same load.

I've tried 4895, varget, 4064, 4350 ad 4320 in the 6.5x55. Most are just OK nothing to write home about. RL-22 is another good option.

I'll add that I do own 1 m38 Swedish Mauser that loves 3031 and 120 grain pills but that gun is the exception to the rules.

 

[GunsNotPuns]

I ended up picking up a lb of the 4831SC -- thanks all!