Husqvarna......would you?
- Thread starter Dorian Gray
- Start date
NewToTheGame
Regular
- Location
- Embro, Ontario!!
I have an old M38 in 6.5x55. I used it on my first WT deer this year. It went somthing like: bang...20ft...flop!
That was with 140grn SP that I loaded.
I like my husky!
That was with 140grn SP that I loaded.
I like my husky!
I have (and had) HVA rifles in many calibers / actions, and it's not comparable to a Stevens... I have (and had) many Stevens / Savage and the machining, fit and finishing has nothing to do with a Husqvarna rifle.
As others said, try to get ahold of a 1600/1640 rifle (the 1600 being the carbine pictured above and the 1640 being the 600mm barrel (23.622").
You have to know that in Scandinavia, birch wood was prefered to walnut, so quite a lot of HVA recently imported bare the birch stocks.
My second choice would be a FN actionned HVA rifle. The late ones (M/98 actioned - almost a FN Supreme) are even more to my own taste.
But any of the M/94 derivative (M/46, 46A 46B and M/640) will also make a good choice, as long as you treat them right. Just make sure you don't buy a ex-mil action, but a real sporting rifle.
The 1900 actions (same as the CG 1900, the Zoli 1900 and the Viking 1900) are the last actions designed by HVA, it was also called the 1970 action, and isa more "modern" action (say like the Tikka).
And finally, yes, the 6.5X55 will kill a moose. In Sweden they use(d) the 160 grainers for the purpose. Actually they have an "energy" issue with the older 6.5X55 rifles, and don't use it no more.
I have these rifles in 6.5X55, 8X57, 9.3X57, 9.3X62, 30-06 and .308 Win. All these rifles but the 8X57 have killed moose. My favourite "truck gun" is my M/649 (M/38) in 9.3X62 with open sights.
As others said, try to get ahold of a 1600/1640 rifle (the 1600 being the carbine pictured above and the 1640 being the 600mm barrel (23.622").
You have to know that in Scandinavia, birch wood was prefered to walnut, so quite a lot of HVA recently imported bare the birch stocks.
My second choice would be a FN actionned HVA rifle. The late ones (M/98 actioned - almost a FN Supreme) are even more to my own taste.
But any of the M/94 derivative (M/46, 46A 46B and M/640) will also make a good choice, as long as you treat them right. Just make sure you don't buy a ex-mil action, but a real sporting rifle.
The 1900 actions (same as the CG 1900, the Zoli 1900 and the Viking 1900) are the last actions designed by HVA, it was also called the 1970 action, and isa more "modern" action (say like the Tikka).
And finally, yes, the 6.5X55 will kill a moose. In Sweden they use(d) the 160 grainers for the purpose. Actually they have an "energy" issue with the older 6.5X55 rifles, and don't use it no more.
I have these rifles in 6.5X55, 8X57, 9.3X57, 9.3X62, 30-06 and .308 Win. All these rifles but the 8X57 have killed moose. My favourite "truck gun" is my M/649 (M/38) in 9.3X62 with open sights.
Moose Masher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oak Hammok Manitoba
Hijack Alert!
I have a 1600 30/06. Mine's a little rough but I like it a lot.
I'm curious about other models.
Are the 1900/1970 push feed?
What about models like H5000 and 4100, are they push feed?
Anyone?
I have a 1600 30/06. Mine's a little rough but I like it a lot.
I'm curious about other models.
Are the 1900/1970 push feed?
What about models like H5000 and 4100, are they push feed?
Anyone?
x 2
Husqvarna rifles...
Me, I'd go with one in 6.5x55mm.
I once had an H-5000 model in .308 Win. Was kinda a fw rifle with nice wood stock with a schnable foreend. Anyway, it was likely the most accurate .308 that I've ever owned. Sorry I sold it.
NAA.
Me, I'd go with one in 6.5x55mm.
I once had an H-5000 model in .308 Win. Was kinda a fw rifle with nice wood stock with a schnable foreend. Anyway, it was likely the most accurate .308 that I've ever owned. Sorry I sold it.
NAA.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
If you're looking for a rifle specifically with moose in mind, I'd suggest you get one in .30-06 rather than the 6.5x55. The 6.5 can do it, sure, but you're leaving yourself very little wiggle room. You'd be less 'limited' in the shots you could take with a .30-06 with a 180 grain slug. I like the Husky's. I have one in 30-06. Mine has the 21" bbl and is nice and light. The hard plastic butt-plate doesn't take anything off the recoil, though.
Baribal, what model would you call this one?
I bought it new in December, 1949, shortly after the Husqvarna's were first imported into Canada.
It's a pure 98 action, with the Swdish Crown on top of the chamber ring. The birch stock has been more than satisfactory, it has stood up to very bad, wet conditions with no problems, whatsoever. It came drilled and tapped for a Lyman 48 aperature, which I used for a lot of years and tough mountain trips, but later drilled it for a scope. It's a 30-06.
carl gustav
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thunder Bay
Well Dorian, one M-94 and several M-96s and M-38s in 6.5x55 (though if you want to get technical about it, only the latter is HVA), one M-38 in 8x57 and one in 9.3x57, a 1600 in 243, and a later 1970's production Carl Gustav on an HVA action in 25/06. Finally a 6.5x55 in a Ruger 77 mk II. Your choice of an 8x57 is a bit oddball but I like it well enough. Shooting lightly loaded American factory ammo gives you a low recoil deer rifle, military hardball cheap shooting if you can find 'em, and by reloading you can get it up close to 30/06 standards with heavy 32 caliber bullets. On the whole though I like the 6.5x55 for everything. I can send you pix of the 8x57 if you PM me your e-mail address.
Moose Masher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oak Hammok Manitoba
H4831, I think it is incredible that you have owned that rifle for more than 60 years. If it could talk, I'm sure it would have some great stories to tell! Any that you'd like to share? Spin us a yarn.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
Huskies are very good rifles in my experience. Since it seems you are leaning towards heavier game, I would suggest the 8x57, but only if you reload, as factory 8x57 ammo is a joke, often running a full 400 fps slower than handloads. Load your 8x57 with heavier bullets, from 195gr SP up to 220gr BT's and you'll smack moose and bear sucessfully forever. Otherwise a 30-06 is a great moose caliber in either an M96 or an M98, and will not require reloading.
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
Well I'm glad you would. Leaves more HVAs for the rest of us!!
Take a quick look at Tradeex stock and you'll see that the 30-06 has been very popular in Sweden since the 1950s, probably outselling 6.5x55 by a large margin.
Baribal, what model would you call this one?
I bought it new in December, 1949, shortly after the Husqvarna's were first imported into Canada.
It's a pure 98 action, with the Swdish Crown on top of the chamber ring. The birch stock has been more than satisfactory, it has stood up to very bad, wet conditions with no problems, whatsoever. It came drilled and tapped for a Lyman 48 aperature, which I used for a lot of years and tough mountain trips, but later drilled it for a scope. It's a 30-06.
It's probably a 640. I have one in 8x57, identical to yours. The M640 had a lot of variants - both '96 and '98 type actions were used (originally the FN98 was used in the M640. But during WWII FN were unable to supply actions and Husqvarna continued on with a M96 type action in the 640 until FN was again able to supply actions after the war ended). Here's a link with model info. http://www.skydevaaben.com/allhvamodels/info.xml
Scroll down the left side you'll find a menu "Husqvarna Civilain Model Listing". Describes the different models and differences.
Jethunter, what I wonder about is the marking on the action. It is a genuine Mauser 98 pattern, large ring, but on top of the ring is a large Swedish Crown, and "Sweden," on it.
If it was an FN action would it have this on it? I always thought the action must have been made in Sweden.
If it was an FN action would it have this on it? I always thought the action must have been made in Sweden.
