Milsurp for hunting purposes?

[vstar650ca]

My Dad picked up a Swede M38 rifle in the 70s that I used for deer hunting and the odd coyote on the farm.My eyes are 47 yrs old now so I would need to scope it ,but by and large it was plenty accurate enough for me in unaltered form.He used to reload and cannot remember his 6.5 recipe.

 

[antiqueguy]

The Harris load is a reduced target/medium range load. It was perfected by C.E Harris and is considered to be a "universal load" in all millitary cartridges. The Harris load Is a cast bullet pushed by 13 grains of red dot powder. I'm no expert but from research I've done you get around 1700-1800 fps and enough power to drop small game at closer distances. The best part is these rounds can be loaded for under $2 a box!!!

im shooting a 210gr cast bullet pushed by red dot only getting about 1400 in .303 i still droped deer with it

 

[Tinman204]

im shooting a 210gr cast bullet pushed by red dot only getting about 1400 i still droped deer with it

Right on!! I was thinking 150-170 grain bullets when I posted approx velocities. But yeah for sure heavier/slower combos can be loaded. I'm no expert but I'm learning, just started loading Harris loads in 8x57 Mauser. I really like the no recoil and quiet report!! Plan to shoot a bunch on Monday if time permits.

 

[Old Outlaw]

I am down in Iowa in the States. We have some of the largest Whitetail in the Country. My go to for deer is a Swedish Mauser. My favorite for brush areas is this
old 1900 Oberndorf. I like the long 160gr RN for brush. They use this load in Sweden still today as a Moose gun. I dropped my deer this year at about 250yd.
That's about the best my old eyes will do.

 

[fat tony]

Welcome! I just learned Iowa is the only state that has it's eastern and western boundaries formed by rivers, the crookedest street in Iowa is in Burlington. We have a few crooked streets in Dartmouth as well!

Very nice M38 you have there. I have an 1896 that I have to try out again. Personally I think the 6.6X55 is one of the '20th century' military rounds that comes closest to 100 percent efficiency. What is not to like? cheers!

 

[Old Outlaw]

Welcome! I just learned Iowa is the only state that has it's eastern and western boundaries formed by rivers, the crookedest street in Iowa is in Burlington. We have a few crooked streets in Dartmouth as well!

Very nice M38 you have there. I have a 1896 that I have to try out again. Personally I think the 6.6X55 is one of the '20th century' military rounds that comes closest to 100 percent efficiency. What is not to like? cheers!

Darned things multiply in this house like rabbits. I blame Buffdog for part of it.

 

[northern ranger]

I have taken most of my deer with an as issued M96 in 6.5x55. Big, long, heavy gun, but it IS amazingly accurate, even with issued sights.

Loved the round so much, I bought another one and had a full on sporterization done for it. Barrel shortened and recrowned, bolt handle turned down, monte carlo stock, and a very nice scope. This is a 200 yard tack driver now. Hand load 95 grain for varmint, and 140 grain for deer.

I have also taken plenty of moose with a Long Branch 303 over the years. Find a Jungle Carbine (No 5 Mk1) and you have a perfect scout gun. No scope required for good eyes.

 

[tokguy]

Short range shot for such a long range gun, about 130 yds with Hornady ammo.

She didn't shoot it, I did. But only because she couldn't get the angle with her 8 X 57

 

[murph83]

my ol' 303 brit puts meat in the freezer. out to 200 yrds, with 180gr works for me. If milsurp is your thing then go for it!!!

 

[DaveMachine]

That's a really cool photo, tokguy. Now I need to go out and buy a Swede Mauser!

 

[collector67]

I have a sportered Krag in 6.5 that I use as a truck gun, very good deer cartridge. I am planning on scoping my K31 (Swiss Products clamp on mount) and maybe using it instead of my Savage 111 this year...