Cheap accurate 6.5 bullet?
- Thread starter 22to45
- Start date
With how accurate most M96's and M38's are, using good bullets is the only way to see the full potential in my experience.
Cheapest bullets around are, unfortunately, hunting bullets. Hornady Interlock 140gr SP's are the cheapest 6.5mm projectiles I have found to plink with. Cost something like $30/100. With most 6.5mm calibres being more match oriented there are a lot of premium bullets available but not too many people plink with them. As a result cheap, bulk projectiles aren't nearly as much in demand as .308, .223, 9mm, etc. so they are much harder to find if they even exist.
If you don't mind playing with lower velocities cast bullets are always an option. I haven't used any in my M96 but I use them a lot in several other calibres.
*Edit*
Using Berger VLD 140gr BTHP 6.5mm bullets I can shoot clover leaves at 100 yards but they cost ~$50/100
I bought a box of Hornady 140gr BTHP Match bullets for $32.79 but have yet to load any ammo with them.
I checked my box'o'bullets under my reloading bench and my Hornady Interlock SP 6.5mm 140gr bullets have tags of $28.76 from LeBarons. I can get about 2MOA with those out of my M96 with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm.
Cheapest bullets around are, unfortunately, hunting bullets. Hornady Interlock 140gr SP's are the cheapest 6.5mm projectiles I have found to plink with. Cost something like $30/100. With most 6.5mm calibres being more match oriented there are a lot of premium bullets available but not too many people plink with them. As a result cheap, bulk projectiles aren't nearly as much in demand as .308, .223, 9mm, etc. so they are much harder to find if they even exist.
If you don't mind playing with lower velocities cast bullets are always an option. I haven't used any in my M96 but I use them a lot in several other calibres.
*Edit*
Using Berger VLD 140gr BTHP 6.5mm bullets I can shoot clover leaves at 100 yards but they cost ~$50/100
I bought a box of Hornady 140gr BTHP Match bullets for $32.79 but have yet to load any ammo with them.
I checked my box'o'bullets under my reloading bench and my Hornady Interlock SP 6.5mm 140gr bullets have tags of $28.76 from LeBarons. I can get about 2MOA with those out of my M96 with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm.
I know what you mean. I have A good supply of 139 gr Norma Protected Points I bought 15 years ago but do not wish to discard, as well as some unnamed 155 gr RN. I also have some 155gr fmj bullets to discard and some 92 gr varmint bullets. I was really hoping someone was going to say they had spectacular results with some offshore bullet I am not yet aware of. A previous swede did very well with 129 gr hornadys, but I was not smart enough to buy 1000 when they were under $200/k.
I guess it all depends on what you call cheap?????
Hornady 140 grain SST Interlocks run around $35/100 and will shoot like lazers, out of rifles with good bores.
Take a look at some of the banner ads at the top of the page. They may even sell you bulk bullets with shipping included in the price.
Hornady 140 grain SST Interlocks run around $35/100 and will shoot like lazers, out of rifles with good bores.
Take a look at some of the banner ads at the top of the page. They may even sell you bulk bullets with shipping included in the price.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I agree, wont' get much cheaper than about .30 cents plus tax. take a look at the EE, they come up for sale once in a while. Ive been using the Sierra 85gr. HP's for plinking....no sure how they shoot in the older swedes but they group fairly well with my Tikka.
We have used Prvi 120gr.HPBT and 139gr.FMJBT in our Swedes and they shoot OK,can't vouch for any of the others but I wouldn't hesitate to try them out.Got ours at Tradex.
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
Cheap-accurate-available.
Pick any two
Pick any two
Hornady 129gr and 140gr IL SP's shoot very very well for me and many other 6.5 shooters. I have not tried Speer bullets in my 6.5 but they are VERY accurate in my .308 and basic Speer Hotcore/BT are cheap too.
I havent found any of the low cost east European bulk bullets in 6.5
I havent found any of the low cost east European bulk bullets in 6.5
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Ive got some that I picked up on trade a while back. Ill be shooting a few for target practive over the next couple weeks, Ill report here later.
hk33ka1,
Lyman makes a double cavity mould 266469 that I have used for about 8 years. This is a gas check mould so can be shot at higher velocities. I only shoot at lower velocities but have used this bullet (50/50 Lino/Lead) with 21.0 grains of 4227 for a velocity of 2138 fps in a '96 Swede Mauser - no leading. I'm sure it can be pushed much faster. I can't remember where I purchased this mould (probably Wholesale Sports) but it is available from Tennessee at MidSouth Shooters for $55 U.S. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...=LYMAN MOULDS&dept4=&NAV=5&sortItem=&vendors= In my experience, this is the lowest cost supplier available from the U.S. but check out our sponsors first to see if it is available in Canada. Be sure to pick up 6.5 mm Hordnady gas checks at the same time. Elwood Epps had them in stock 8 years ago and may still carry them.
40-82
Lyman makes a double cavity mould 266469 that I have used for about 8 years. This is a gas check mould so can be shot at higher velocities. I only shoot at lower velocities but have used this bullet (50/50 Lino/Lead) with 21.0 grains of 4227 for a velocity of 2138 fps in a '96 Swede Mauser - no leading. I'm sure it can be pushed much faster. I can't remember where I purchased this mould (probably Wholesale Sports) but it is available from Tennessee at MidSouth Shooters for $55 U.S. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...=LYMAN MOULDS&dept4=&NAV=5&sortItem=&vendors= In my experience, this is the lowest cost supplier available from the U.S. but check out our sponsors first to see if it is available in Canada. Be sure to pick up 6.5 mm Hordnady gas checks at the same time. Elwood Epps had them in stock 8 years ago and may still carry them.
40-82
"Accurate" is a variable definition. For me and my scoped 6.5's, it means consistent MOA or under.
The two bullets that have proved accurate in all of the many Swedes I've worked with are; Horn. 140 SP, and Horn. 140 Amax.
Both of these bullets have long shanks, allowing them to be seated long, out close to the leade and in some rifles able to touch/jam. When seated to max mag length, there is still plenty of bullet shank in the case neck for a solid, straight, loaded cartridge.
Long and straight, with a stout charge of R22, has always performed well, for me.
The Amax do cost a few bucks more, but are very accurate. My best M38 military barreled, 10x scoped, tuned M96 Swede holds 1/2 MOA with 'em, full match grade loads, out to 500yds or so, and not much more MOA past that distance. Conditions permitting.
139gr Privi's shoot OK, around 2 MOA or so, in the 3 or 4 rifles I've tried them in. They are quite short shanked.
The two bullets that have proved accurate in all of the many Swedes I've worked with are; Horn. 140 SP, and Horn. 140 Amax.
Both of these bullets have long shanks, allowing them to be seated long, out close to the leade and in some rifles able to touch/jam. When seated to max mag length, there is still plenty of bullet shank in the case neck for a solid, straight, loaded cartridge.
Long and straight, with a stout charge of R22, has always performed well, for me.
The Amax do cost a few bucks more, but are very accurate. My best M38 military barreled, 10x scoped, tuned M96 Swede holds 1/2 MOA with 'em, full match grade loads, out to 500yds or so, and not much more MOA past that distance. Conditions permitting.
139gr Privi's shoot OK, around 2 MOA or so, in the 3 or 4 rifles I've tried them in. They are quite short shanked.
Just got back from the range and was testing some loads in my M96.
Hornady 140gr Match BTHP over 45 grains of H4831 with CCI LRP's and RP brass, OAL of 3.270" (looks kinda funny) shot about 7/16" at 50yds.
Hornady 140gr SP over the same load seated to the cannelure shot about 9/16" at 50yds.
Hornady 95gr V-MAX over 39 grains of H4895, rest the same, don't remember OAL, was shooting 1" at 50yds. Not the best but the other loads I tried below and above 39 grains where worse.
6'C, light rain
Was too wet and cold to bother trying at 100yds. Save that for another (nicer) day.
Hornady 140gr Match BTHP over 45 grains of H4831 with CCI LRP's and RP brass, OAL of 3.270" (looks kinda funny) shot about 7/16" at 50yds.
Hornady 140gr SP over the same load seated to the cannelure shot about 9/16" at 50yds.
Hornady 95gr V-MAX over 39 grains of H4895, rest the same, don't remember OAL, was shooting 1" at 50yds. Not the best but the other loads I tried below and above 39 grains where worse.
6'C, light rain
Was too wet and cold to bother trying at 100yds. Save that for another (nicer) day.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
If you can get some cast bullets, or a mold to cast your own, then you're as well off as you could be.
Sometimes molds are available on ebay, for example, in this caliber. I picked up a mold for the classic "cruise missle" type bullet in 6.5mm from ebay, but have not had the time to try it yet.
Sometimes molds are available on ebay, for example, in this caliber. I picked up a mold for the classic "cruise missle" type bullet in 6.5mm from ebay, but have not had the time to try it yet.
