How do I tell if I have a 93, 96, or 98 6.5x55?

M

Mojo99

Regular
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
Location
Port Dover
I got an old 6.5x55 swe from my father in law with all of the reloading gear. The gun is a Husq, but after reading that the 93 has a weaker action than the 96 and 98, I'd like to find out which I have before I start reloading.

I'm looking to start with IMR 4320 with a 39gr load and 140gr standard soft tip bullets. I'm trying to figure out a relative safe max to go up to.
 
Can you post a photo for us? If not, have a peek at the Tradex site to see if your rifle matches what would be a M-96 or M98. I think they can be identified by serial # as well.....maybe Baribal will show up and help.:)
 
I don't think any 1893 Mausers were made for 6.5x55; these were adopted by Spain in 7mm and Turkey in 7.65mm. Sweden adopted the m/94 carbine and m/96 rifle with the same action. For the most part, pre-98 Mausers with staggered box magazines are fairly similar.

The two main differences between a 96 and a 98 action are as follows:
-The 96 cocks on closing of the bolt; the 98 on opening.
-The 98 has a third "safety" locking lug towards the rear of the bolt body. This lug doesn't bear against the receiver, but rather is intended to retain the bolt in the rifle in the unlikely event that the front locking lugs fail.
 
If it's a military rifle, it will be a Swedish Model of 1896 or one of the later Model 1938. That's all there are, really; everything else is a variation. They are both, essentially, on the same action. It will safely handle anything (sane) that you put into it. The 96 has the 29-inch barrel, the 38 a 23-incher.

There were some Husqvarna 98s built on a sort-of-a-bastard action: 98 action with a 96 extractor.

If it cocks on closing, it is the older action. Nothing wrong with them. Accurate as all get-out, too.

There also exist 6.5x55s on the 98 action, pure and simple: heavy barrels, long barrels. These are match rifles and they are pure sweet hell to try to outshoot. A friend bought one and decided that it was too good for the iron sights; it now wears a Leupold 6-24x and looks very happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom