How to maximize the 6.5x55 in my M38?

Grouse Man

Grouse Man

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So we know the 6.5 factory loads are pretty mild because there are some 'soft' actions out there. I have a 1941 Husqy that's in excellent condition for which I will soon be handloading.

I'm not looking to make 3,500 fps 160gr loads, but I know I will be tempted to see what I can do with it. I don't have a chrono, so I'll be looking at visual clues only for overpressure. Primer deformation, stiff bolt, excessive recoil, etc. What are other people's experiences with 'modern pressure' loads in a '40s vintage Swedish Mauser? I'd be curious to see how much above factory velocity/pressure people are loading.

Thanks all.
 
6.5x55 loads

I , at one time had your identical rifle, and did a lot of reading research. Apparently in your barrel length your rifle will like slow burning powders for the 140s. Mine liked I believe 48 gr of the old not newly manufactured H4831 with a norma case and winchester primers. Be aware that the new australian H4831 is approx 1 grain faster than the old stuff so start at 45 grains and work up. I didnt have a chrono in those days but according to all that I read I was getting slightly over 2700fps at mild pressures. Twas a good load, mild pressures, very accurate, low recoil and very flat shooting.
 
Grouseman, get a chrony!!!! they are cheap (cost of 4 boxes of cheap factory ammo)and they make rifles way more interesting. Pressure signs don't tell you much about velocity. Pressure signs just tell you about pressure. Obviously there are some inferences you can make but it is not useful to the handloader. Our goal is to get the most velocity possible with little or no pressure signs and a high degree of repeatablity.

I have put together loads for that rifle that I thought would be say 2400fps and over the chrony they were 2100fps! Like wise a load you think you are happy with. When shot over a chrony might have an unaacceptable variation in velocity. Some loads are just more consistent then others and only a chrony can tell you this.

Chronies make handloading/rifle tinkering a 1000 times more interesting and useful.

That swede is a very worthy loading project. You'll enjoy it. I have 4 in my safe now and honestly don't have much interest in any othe calibre any more.

Moly Coated 160 hornady, 46 grains surplus bulk H450 in a yugo case with win primer for 2650fps .

NOTE ON SWEDE BULLETS. The surplus 156 FMJ bullets that are sometimes found around give way higher pressures.
 
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In my Carl Gustafs M96/38, 47grs. VV N-165 gives me around 2,700fps for the 140gr variety. No pressure problems. RL-22, N-560 are also great. Get a chrony and test it out. If memory serves, I had 2,900fps with 49grs of N-560. My moose load.
 
In my 6.5x55 h-450 and reloader 22 give the best velocity and are also the most accurate loads.With 48 grains of h-450 and a 155 Sierria it gets just under 2700 and 140's at 2900.
 
X2 for riverrats h450 load but I stop at 46.5 grains and get 2650 with a hornady 160.

That R22 and 140 grain load is my next 'need'!
 
Sorry to sound like a broken record but I too suggest a chrony. More information is never a bad thing. And yes it makes loading a lot more interesting and fun.
 
I have loaded for several swedes, and find the best accuracy is realized out of H4350, max velocity out of Re22. I dont load to max levels, so I cant help there. The 6.5 is a relatively low pressure round, so using pressure indicators may take you to pressures well above design. For this reason, a chrony would be beneficial.
One thing, I'd watch what brass you use - some of the crappier brass (Bell, Igman, Privi Partizan) is quite thick - it will raise pressures for a number of reasons.
Also, there is a substantial variation in throats in military Swedes...
 
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Swedes

Get a chrony and don't rely on pressure signs, just act to avoid them: heed the advice reloading manuals give you and never start with a max or near max load.
That way, you'll never have to worry. Leave the experimentation to the powder and component labs.
Find some good middle-of-the-road loads and start from that. You'll find that many of the swedes favour heavy long roundnosed bullets with moderate velocities and their accuracy will awe you.:)
PP.
 
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