Range Report : 6.5x55 (re22 and Amax)

eg6ajk

eg6ajk

CGN Regular
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Location
Mississauga, ON
Range : 18*C, cloudy with some light rain occasionally, rather humid
Distance: 100yds

Gun: M38 Mauser 24" original Barrel (crica 1900) and matching numbers
Scope: Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40
Mounts: Holden
Stock: Modified synthetic, of unknown make

Currrent and most accurate load for my M38 6.5x55 Swede, 5 shot group:
Reloader 22 (RE22) powder = 47gr (starting load is 44gr and max 48gr)
Hornady AMAX 140gr (.264)
Remington Brass
Winchester Large rifle primers
OAL: 3.100"

Smallest group was in .75" range and the largest 1".
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Last weeks load was using Winchester Magnum primers as the only difference between this week. Group was rather unimpressive 1.5-2" size, with over 5 groups shot.

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On the side note, this newely installed and sighted scope (Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40), I am rather impressed how it compares to my Bushnell 4200 6x24x50 which is mounted on other gun. Very clear, bringht and appears to be well made and solid feel and adjustments. Comes with sunshade and set of target knobs. Definatly nice product.
 
I tried 47.0 grains RL22 over a WinLR primer (seated out to 3.15 in my Win70) and got 2750 into a single ragged hole. Extremely accurate, thanks for the tip!
 
Nice groups for an old Swede!
"OLD SWEDE" is the kicker...............Nosler lists max R22 @ 44gr. with a 140gr bullet. An action without the safety lug and great metalurgy for its day. Its day was near a 100 years ago! Don't get me wrong I have a couple of Swedes that I use.
I'm glad I don't sit anywhere near you when your shooting loads that are near max for a modern rifle chambered in 6.5x55 .
 
You could tighten that group up with 160 grain bullets and a 2450fps launch speed. It is a shame to see a swede under perform like that.

P.S just for the sake of rubbing it in to our commercial rifle friends, how much did you pay for that rifle.LOL.
 
Hi eg6ajk,

Nice caliber, nice rifle and nice groups! Yep, the old Swedes sure can shoot. As far as these old rifles nad pressure, I have some Norma ammo my dad gave me with his old Swede and it is at modern max pressure. That's the stuff they've been shooting in Sweden for a long time witout issues. Let's not confuse the metalurgy of these fine rifles with the metalurgy of early Century American rifles, these were far inferior.

Troutseeker
 
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If you feel like testing some more, consider h4831SC, H1000 lit by a CCI BR2 primer. neck size using a Lee collet die to ensure there is no runout during sizing.

Then stuff some 139gr lapua Scenars down the pipe. It might just like shooting bullets from same country.

In case it hasn't been done, bedding the action will also pay dividends. I used to do alot of tinkering with these old rifles. Amazingly, many shot 1/2 to 3/4 MOA at 200yds with orig war time barrels.

Jerry
 
RockChucker said:
Nice groups for an old Swede!
"OLD SWEDE" is the kicker...............Nosler lists max R22 @ 44gr. with a 140gr bullet. An action without the safety lug and great metalurgy for its day. Its day was near a 100 years ago! Don't get me wrong I have a couple of Swedes that I use.
I'm glad I don't sit anywhere near you when your shooting loads that are near max for a modern rifle chambered in 6.5x55 .
Click to expand...

Don't get too excited by the absence of the third "safety" lug. You won't find them on any of the modern bolt actions either. I would say that the No4 action is not as solid as the M96/M38 Swedes either. Yet they have been re-chambered for 308 Win without any problems. :stirthepot2:
 
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