96 swede 6.5x55, light bullets?

I never had much success with bullets below 129 grains in the old M96 or M38 rifles. I suspect, the generous chambers and long throats were more the problem than the fast twist rate.
If light bullets are spun to fast, they may start to separate from their cores. That is the rumor anyway. On the other hand, I shoot 95gn Hornady VMax at over 3100fps out of my Tikka T3 and it shoots them like lasers. Funny thing though. The T3, is a much stronger action than the M96 and it has a 21.5in bbl. The loads I've used, will not give me more velocity than slightly over 3100fps, even though it's obvious pressures have risen. I suspect, that's because of the shorter bbl. There really isn't any need for more velocity in any case, I was just curious how much I could get.
 
If there is a stamped "T" on the front sight it is regulated for the 139-140gr bullet...............T for Torpedo.....................Harold mostly on 38's
 
Try it, you may have success. I wouldn't rule it out. I tried the 85 grain varminters in a M96 and they shot great at 100 yards and really disintegrate on target.
 
Local gunshop owner was talking about a guy that was well under MOA with these lights rounds in an M96. He was under minimum charge tho, maybe well under.

Details are sketchy but I thought I'd pass on what I heard.

Let us know what you dig up, please, I'm interested.
 
I shoot 95gr VMAX in my full wood M96 at 3250 fps. Accuracy is fine for hunting - I can hit a 3"x3" metal plate at 200 yards consistently. I do seat my bullets out as far as I can (2.90") while still having enough neck tension to keep accuracy consistent.

It's always worth it to try and see, instead of assuming this sort of thing won't work. If it doesn't happen to work in your rifle, someone will always buy your partial box of bullets from you if you decide to sell them at a fair price.
 
I found they shot well, I still load them from my Tikka M-65. IMR-4064 seems to work well. The starting load of 40 grs has the POI at 100 yards as the hunting load I use with 140 gr. bullets .
 
No sane load in a M96 Swede chambered in 6.5X55 will destroy any commercially avalable bullet. I have launched 85 gr bullets in a 6.5-300 Win Mag with a 9 twist at 3800 fps and they all made it to the target intact. The 6.5X55 will not come within 500 fps of that.

As suggested you might not be able to get the accuracy you need, but that will be due to throat and leade dimensions, not twist rate.
 
I have two that shoot 85gr well, but they do prefer 120+ gr bullets. Then I have one that I couldnt get on paper at 100 yds, tried at 50 and got one on paper, it was sideways. Only way to find out is to try!!! I am trying to find some 70gr, have seen load data for that light. That is why I like 6.5, 85-160 gr hunting capability, one rifle for all situations. However given the choice I would take more to a meeting with kodiak or polar bear!!
 
Thanks for that Andy. I never had a jacket failure nor was I implying a failure was imminent. I was just giving the OP the theory behind why they separate. I did have a problem with 225 grain 338 bullets separating from their jackets, the barrel had a 1-8 twist and had been built specifically for 300 grain bullets.
I'm surprised that so many are getting such good results with the light bullets in the M96 rifles. My rifles are as new (refurbed of course) with perfect bores and chambers. I can't get consistent accuracy out of either of them with bullets below 120 grains.
 
I shoot 4 different Swedes, I have yet to find an inaccurate bullet for this round, the 95 Vmax shoots great in the '96 rifles, also loves the 100 grain Winchester western bullets and the Nosler 100's... Work up your loads and you will find an accurate one, guaranteed.
 
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