Swedish M96 Mauser ammo recommendations
- Thread starter peterpolarpickedapepper
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I load all of mine, from 85 gr up to 156 gr.
I tend to load towards the high side in the manuals, and have found that at 100 yards, light and heavy bullets shoot to virtually the same point of impact.
These rifles have long throats and were designed for heavy military loads; so I load 156 gr PPU round nose soft point for both my M96 and M38. These are cost effective and shoot quite well under open military sights.
My modern Zastava shoots them well too, but with a shorter throat, I need to keep them seated back a bit. I load to it's length, but shoot them in all three rifles.
For Ground Hog, 85 gr JHP Sierras (90 or 100 gr, when I can't get 85s).
Very versatile caliber, and can be loaded for pretty much any use here in North America.
Something to keep in mind, especially if it's still in full Military configuration, are the sights. Originally, the Swedish M96's were fitted with a Barley corn front sight, and "V" groove in the rear sight blade. These sights were regulated to be zeroed for the M94 cartridges loaded with the 156gr roundnose projectile. Before WWII, they changed over to a blade type front sight and "U" groove in the rear sight blade. These sights were regulated to be zeroed for the M41 cartridges with 139gr projectiles. The lowest setting on the sight ladder was 300m., so in either configuration, they will print high at 100m.
Most commercial FMJ loadings are of the M41 cartridge with the 139gr Spitzer bullet, and you can find many hunting loads using 140gr soft points. The Federal "Fusion" 140gr SP ammo is a near duplicate velocity wise of the original M41 Ball round, and what I would look for if I couldn't find any PPU, or S&B FMJ loadings. I know of no 156gr ball loadings produced, so if you want to go that route, it's roll your own...
Most commercial FMJ loadings are of the M41 cartridge with the 139gr Spitzer bullet, and you can find many hunting loads using 140gr soft points. The Federal "Fusion" 140gr SP ammo is a near duplicate velocity wise of the original M41 Ball round, and what I would look for if I couldn't find any PPU, or S&B FMJ loadings. I know of no 156gr ball loadings produced, so if you want to go that route, it's roll your own...
Good point; yes, 10 to 12" high at 100 yards; not only sighted in for military rounds, but the tangent sights zero is 300 M which is about 330 yards.
Shorter Taller front sights are available. I replaced mine on my M96, and it is actually a bit tall, so I set my rear sight to 350 M (up one notch) for 100 yard zero.
Also, the Swedish Mauser front sight is not a barley-corn type; those were on the German Maysers and some other contract mausers. They taper from a wider bottom to a narrow top; Swedish Mausers have a "post" sight which is straight sided.
I believe the M38 (I would need to look at mine) has a tangent sight zeroed at 100 meters.
The very first iteration of the M96 did indeed have the Barley corn front sight, and "V" groove rear. The very last M96 I owned was an UN-altered Swedish shooting club rifle that had never gone back to the Armory for the bore check and sight updates, thus still had it's original (Barley corn front and "V" groove rear) sights and was never fitted with the brass disc. It's all in the book "Crown Jewels" which is an absolute wealth of info for the Swedish Mauser enthusiast.
At any rate, as you said, a taller front sight will do the trick.
Cheers
At any rate, as you said, a taller front sight will do the trick.
Cheers
Yes, the M94 carbine did as well. It doesn't surprise me that you haven't seen an original, unmodified M96. They are not common. Almost every M96 you will come across has gone back to an armory and had it's sights updated. That included filing the rear sight groove to a "U" shape, and installing a straight sided "Blade" style front sight. Get yourself a copy of the Crown jewels, it's all in chapter 16 starting on page 205. The M/41 rectangular post front sight and "U" notch rear sight was a post WWII change. The information for it starts on page 207 and continues on 208. Again, very enlightening.
Cheers
Cheers
I'm very fond of PPU ammo for all calibers. I shoot paper so I can't speak to effect on game, but it is accurate and consistent in every chambering I have tried it in.
The brass is to me among the best for reloading if that matters to you now or may in the future. S&B, hornady and federal brass in general hasn't lasted as long.
I use the 139 grain FMJ or soft point PPU in my m96 and AG-42 with very good results. Even with the 300 meter zero, I only hit a few inches high at 100 yards. Point of impact was similar in my AG-42 set to 100 m so my sight could have been modified so your experience may differ. Can't beat PPU for the cost in most less common rifle rounds. As an aside, PPU is safe in AG-42's, where S&B and other brands are not.
I have also used S&B 139 grain, it shot notably higher than the PPU but was consistent. Generally good ammo but I avoid as brass isn't as good as PPU.
Haven't tried other brands in this caliber as they cost 25% more per box (40 vs 30 per box, 2021 prices).
The brass is to me among the best for reloading if that matters to you now or may in the future. S&B, hornady and federal brass in general hasn't lasted as long.
I use the 139 grain FMJ or soft point PPU in my m96 and AG-42 with very good results. Even with the 300 meter zero, I only hit a few inches high at 100 yards. Point of impact was similar in my AG-42 set to 100 m so my sight could have been modified so your experience may differ. Can't beat PPU for the cost in most less common rifle rounds. As an aside, PPU is safe in AG-42's, where S&B and other brands are not.
I have also used S&B 139 grain, it shot notably higher than the PPU but was consistent. Generally good ammo but I avoid as brass isn't as good as PPU.
Haven't tried other brands in this caliber as they cost 25% more per box (40 vs 30 per box, 2021 prices).
Swede 96 Mauser 6.5x55.
The 96 action is a strong action. What is said is the 96 action is not as strong as the 98 action and that is correct. The 98 action has a third lug at the rear.
The 96 action is a smoother action to cycle having just the standard two lugs.
Any of todays factory ammo will be fine in the 96 Swede.
The 96 action is a strong action. What is said is the 96 action is not as strong as the 98 action and that is correct. The 98 action has a third lug at the rear.
The 96 action is a smoother action to cycle having just the standard two lugs.
Any of todays factory ammo will be fine in the 96 Swede.
It's not just the third lug.
The base of the cartridge is better supported with the 98 which makes it much stronger than that third lug does.
Also, the M98 has a guide rib that takes out a lot of the sloppiness of the M96 bolt action. The M96 is also #### on close whereas M98 is #### on open. I think most would say the M98 action is the smoother to operate but they are both enjoyable to cycle.
This video covers the differences well:
OP: The 6.5x55 is a handloader's cartridge. One of the best due to its versatility. Good thing too as factory ammo is just not that available. In contrast, projectiles are easy to get thanks to that 6.5 Creedmoor.
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Which Husky? Husqvarna built many M96's themselves (but just ~20k of ~535k total built). The Husqvarna 1600's are not quite an M98 large ring design. The Husqvarna FN98's have as the name suggests have the Belgian K98 receiver with a couple minor changes.
There are M96s chambered in 9.3x62mm that seem to be just fine. There is no factory 6.5x55 ammo that you need to worry about using in an M96.
The Americans set the 6.5x55 pressure down because it was European, not because the M96 was particularly weak.
But the 98 action is very strong. In comparison the M96 is absolutely weaker.
Basically all actions are strong. They have a factor of safety built in. Don't mess with it as it is there for a reason.
There is no reason to hot load anything. Just stick to published loads and you'll be fine.
Agree 100 %. Lots have been chambered in 30-06 as well. Sierra has good data published, and their test rifle was a 96 mauser: http://m-b-r.co.uk/PDF/Sierra 6.5x55.pdf Pretty impressive data, and certainly safe for the M96.
Well I agree with you.
I said that the Husky were fine… Not quite the case with Carl Gustav M96 but like some of you said some were re-chambered with hotter rounds so…
Like I said some guys told me to stay away from hot loads in the M96, mostly CG M96 but Husky were fine.
Better be safe that sorry.
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