Carl Gustaf 96, 6,5x55 sticky bolt

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NorwegianInBaffinland

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Iqaluit
Hi,

This weekend I went shooting with it, got a new Leupold scope on it and wanted to sight it in. When I bought it, it came with a scope and was already dialed in. I have never shot more than 5 shots in a row with it.

This weekend I shot 10 shots, and on the 9th I noticed a crack in the brass, and on the 10th shot a very sticky bolt. So I stopped shooting...

I have only shot Sellier & belliot FMJs through it as they are the only ones available in town. Is the high pressure, and sticky bolt a result of not cleaning the barrel? Or should I stop shooting the S&Bs all together and wait until I get my friend to reload me some slightly reduced load of Barnes TSXs?

Any tips or info regarding this issue would be appreciated. The gun is for hunting cariobou, geese and seals on top of the ice in spring...
 
Sellier & Bellot are not that hot, much less than Lapua, Norma or RWS.
Reduced loads may be even worse. First, I would check headpsace. Then, I would check if it's a real sporter or a sporterized military rifle. Then, I'd check if it's matching.

If the crack was above the case head, then, you likely have a headspace issue. It's either to case which are too short or the chamber too long. Checking headspace is definitely your first thing to do.
 
No. Check headspace first. Then, if chamber headpsace is not the issue, get a comparator (like the one marketed by Hornady) and compare a fired case vs a new one. Do not fire the beast until you know which is wrong.

Reduced loads using slow burning powder, is not a good idea in the 6.5X55. When using such powders, keep fill ratio to 85% or more and you will be OK. Powders slower than 4350/760/414 are the "slow" limit.
 
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What Baribal said.
It's a long shot in your case, but I have here a M96 6.5x55 that was so badly fouled in front of the chamber(carbon ring)by old cupro nickle jacketed mil loads, that it went WAY overpressure with a very mild start load. Flattened cratered primer, expanded pocket, ejector mark, hard bolt lift serious overpressure ... scarey.
Took forever to clean it all out, but now it shoots a full 5 grains more powder with normal pressure.
Pull a patch or tight brush from the muzzle back, feel carefully for increased effort on the handle as you approach the throat. Clean till the pull is even end to end. You will need ammonia, bore paste, and brake cleaner to get there if she's got build-up in 'er.
As for headspace check, a quick and dirty field expedient for residents of remote northern communities :), is to insert shims cut from a feeler guage between boltface and casehead, if more than ten thou. will allow the bolt to close without force, yer in unsafe territory, in my amateur opinion.
 
I must partially disagree with this. If it's an undersize ammo problem, "checking" headpsace in such a way won't help at all. To do such, you first need to know the brass is within specs.
Headspace gauges are not that hard to get, it may only delay a bit the use of the rifle.
 
Baribal said:
Sellier & Bellot are not that hot, much less than Lapua, Norma or RWS.
Reduced loads may be even worse. First, I would check headpsace. Then, I would check if it's a real sporter or a sporterized military rifle. Then, I'd check if it's matching.

If the crack was above the case head, then, you likely have a headspace issue. It's either to case which are too short or the chamber too long. Checking headspace is definitely your first thing to do.
Click to expand...

I had some 6.5S&B ammo back in the late 90's that was hot. Who knows? In Iqaluit, it just might be the same lot #......:p
 
You are right Baribal, I should choose my words more carefully. Headspace is a tolerance limit within the gun itself. And it must be within spec to fire safely.
My suggestion goes to the fit of OP's only available ammo in his gun, not to determining what that guns actual headspace is.
In any event, he can determine if that particular lot of ammo is safe to fire, or if it's too short for his gun.
I'm thinking he may have a max headspace chamber with a min. spec., short to the shoulder, lot of cartridges.
 
I will be have someone in town load some Barnes TSX. I will have headspace checked out. Might take a while before I come with a repost, but looks like there is someone in town that can help me to check headspace.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated! Now to get ready for long weekend hunting trip:)
 
tually it is a model 1894, sporter. According to the seller, and a very beautiful rifle. I love it and I feel confident with it, and it performs around 1moa on paper @ 100 meters with the ammo available to me at the moment:)

I guy told me it might be able to rechamber to 270 win now? But I want to keep it in 6,5. But whatever is cheaper and better is what i'll go for. Supposed to be my go to caribou gun and seals on top of the ice at longer 300 plus meters.
 
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