Swedish M96 Sporter in 6.5x55???
- Thread starter ruger22
- Start date
I'm prejudiced-been shooting deer with one for about 30 years,and they do the job very handily-very accurate, low recoil, and very efficient-all one shot kills and nothing went far-generally less than 20 or 30 yards.I bought 10 boxes of Century surplus ammunition to shoot with .I think the 6.5x55 swede is one of those ''just right'' deer rifles,and even with a used Leupold 4 x scope you are still well within $400-$500 .I recently restocked mine with a Choate stock.I have 3 in 6.5X55 and 3 in 9,3X57 for moose/bear
don't think buy. No one regrets a swede. triggers are fine. they shoot better then 99% of gunnutz. check tradex for some decent bargains.
ratherbefishin shoots abit straighter then me cause I have put more then one bullet in a few deer, or maybe I just operate the bolt and re-aqquire a sight picture faster then he does. LOL.
ratherbefishin shoots abit straighter then me cause I have put more then one bullet in a few deer, or maybe I just operate the bolt and re-aqquire a sight picture faster then he does. LOL.
Take your time ,pick your shot and put one 139gr 6.5 bullet behind the shoulder of ANY deer and he's going down.Shot a couple of black bears ,hit them broadside right on the point of the shoulder and they went right down too.This cartridge has been around for 100 years and for ANY cartridge to be around that long, its got to be doing something right.This is no coincidence-the 6.5 has one of the highest sectional densities of any hunting bullet,which makes it extremely efficient.Couple that with moderate recoil and excellent accuracy and you have just about the perfect combination in a deer rifle.In addition the workmanship and finishing on these old rifles is second to none.I don't think I've spent more than $250 for any of them from Tradeex-all with ''excellent'' barrels and very fine walnut stocks that come up beautifully.Sure-you can spend a lot MORE money on a rifle-but you won't get more rifle
I was thinking about getting a M96, but got my hands on a husqvarna 1600 last fall and fell in love. This spring I bought my own 1600 in 6.5swede and have been very happy, for under $600 to my door I dont think I could find better bang for my buck. May be worth looking at a 1600, either way you'll be happy.
PS: Nothing better then taking your swede to the range and another guy compareing his tupperware stocked gun that shoots groups twice as large as yours with a horrible trigger and nasty bolt that cost the same $$
PS: Nothing better then taking your swede to the range and another guy compareing his tupperware stocked gun that shoots groups twice as large as yours with a horrible trigger and nasty bolt that cost the same $$
Looking at the web sight It looks like many have already been set up for scopes.
Best to talk to the folks at tradex directly for such details.
As to the Original poster, I say go for it.
The 6.5x55 cartridge is a good one, and Swedish rifles are well built.
Depends on who did the sporter job....
There is no question that the 6.5x55mm is an outstanding ctg.
And the Model 96's and Model 38 as full pull military models are great.
But if you think you will get the equivalent to a factory sporter [like a Win Model 70 f/w; Rem Model 700 Classic, Ruger 77 MkII; Tikka 695 or Tikka T3, etc] you will likely be disappointed.
Likely you can pick up a nice M96 sportered done from a full pull military rifle in the neighborhood of $375. They are what they are. They can do the job. Some are better than others.
Been down that road..... [sporter '96]. Glad I have a factory Tikka 695 6.5x55mm instead.
NAA.
jump @ it
you will not regret it. check the dial tag on the side of the stock ( if its original) it will even tell you bore condition before you buy. the swedes theory of warfare was" everyone is a sniper" & they made there rifle / cartridge accordingly . huge range of bullet weights available , it will quickly become your fav.
you will not regret it. check the dial tag on the side of the stock ( if its original) it will even tell you bore condition before you buy. the swedes theory of warfare was" everyone is a sniper" & they made there rifle / cartridge accordingly . huge range of bullet weights available , it will quickly become your fav.
all of my huskys I got from tradeex came drilled and with weaver mounts installed ,and nicely chequered walnut stocks[not sporterized military stocks]Some had ''handling marks ''that steamed out and with a coat of oil and some wet sanding came up beautifully.Put a couple of hours work into one and I'd put them up against ANY factory rifle at several times the price for fit and finish.This is old world craftsmanship at its best.A lot of miltary rifles are clunky-not so the swedes
Carl Gustaff Stads Gwerherfaktori (something like that) is the factory where they were built. I just purchased a 96(/38? Shorter barrel with muzzle threads) Carl Gustaff 1914 from a fellow CGN in full miltary furniture with about I'd say 75% matching numbers... Haven't had time to take her out yet
But I'm quite happy with my purchase and have read up on the 6.5swede cartridge and it fits exactly what I'm looking for in an all around versatile cartridge. Don't hesitate to get anything from Trade Ex, everything I've read and heard has been nothing but very positive. I'm looking at my next purchase coming from them as well 
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I liked the one I had. Im not sure how the military trigger is as the one I had already had a aftermarket Frankenstein Finnish replacement on it. I replaced mine with a Tikka and Im not sure I gained anything except upgrading from the blind mag.
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There are major differences between a M/94 and a M/98. First, the action name itself is not a M/96, 'cos this refers to the long rifle, with a straight bolt handle. The first commerncial rifles made by HVA where based on brand new and fresh M/94 actions, made by Carl Gustav. Then, CG stopped making these actions and the manufacturing was brang to HVA works. For the military, they developped a mid-sized rifle, called the M/38, wich used the bent handle of the M/94 and a 24 inches barrel (instead the 29 inches of the M/96).
Now, HVA used the M/94 on the pre-WWII models (model 46B) and the early post WWII (Model 646) where based on the M/38 made by HVA, but with what is called a "solid wall", without the thumb cut-out for the stripper clip loading. These actions are small rings.
HVA also made the later (late 1946) 646 with the FN-made M/98 actions. These actions are large rings.
Then, you have the HVA "improved mauser", the 1600/1640, wich is a cross over between a M/94 and a M/98, retaining the features of the M/98 (three lugs bolt, ####-on-open, bolt shroud) and the bolt head / small receiver ring of the M/94.
Now, when it comes to choose wich one you want, you have to take consideration that the M/94 was designed before the coming of high power rounds (3900 bar or 57 000 PSI of the 8X57JS, in 1905) and that the M/98 was designed with their use in mind; Paul Mauser knew it was coming, and that's why he increased the "safety factor", the escaping gas beyond others, of it's new M/98. But this action is a bit heavier than a M/94-96-38. The 1600/1640 is about the same weight as a M/94 but will handle much better the fury of higher pressure rounds, 'cos it was designed to do so.
If you will use factory loads, of stay within the reloading manual loads made for it, the M/94-96-38 will do just fine. If you want to push the beast to "modern" levels, then, you will need either a M/98 or a 1600/1640.
Just remember the military 6.5X55 was adopted in 1894, with a heavy and slow moving projectile (at lower operating pressure), then changed in 1941 to a higher velocity lighter bullet (140 grains), operating at a pressure of 3300 Atmosphere (48 500 PSI).
My personal choice would go for a 1640. For a light, handy rifle the early M/646 based on the M/38 ("commercial") is a good, economical choice. The M/98 based is the strongest, but the heavier one too and the 1600/1640 action was designed to handle modern magnums. For collecting, any of these is of great value, especially if not altered.
Now, HVA used the M/94 on the pre-WWII models (model 46B) and the early post WWII (Model 646) where based on the M/38 made by HVA, but with what is called a "solid wall", without the thumb cut-out for the stripper clip loading. These actions are small rings.
HVA also made the later (late 1946) 646 with the FN-made M/98 actions. These actions are large rings.
Then, you have the HVA "improved mauser", the 1600/1640, wich is a cross over between a M/94 and a M/98, retaining the features of the M/98 (three lugs bolt, ####-on-open, bolt shroud) and the bolt head / small receiver ring of the M/94.
Now, when it comes to choose wich one you want, you have to take consideration that the M/94 was designed before the coming of high power rounds (3900 bar or 57 000 PSI of the 8X57JS, in 1905) and that the M/98 was designed with their use in mind; Paul Mauser knew it was coming, and that's why he increased the "safety factor", the escaping gas beyond others, of it's new M/98. But this action is a bit heavier than a M/94-96-38. The 1600/1640 is about the same weight as a M/94 but will handle much better the fury of higher pressure rounds, 'cos it was designed to do so.
If you will use factory loads, of stay within the reloading manual loads made for it, the M/94-96-38 will do just fine. If you want to push the beast to "modern" levels, then, you will need either a M/98 or a 1600/1640.
Just remember the military 6.5X55 was adopted in 1894, with a heavy and slow moving projectile (at lower operating pressure), then changed in 1941 to a higher velocity lighter bullet (140 grains), operating at a pressure of 3300 Atmosphere (48 500 PSI).
My personal choice would go for a 1640. For a light, handy rifle the early M/646 based on the M/38 ("commercial") is a good, economical choice. The M/98 based is the strongest, but the heavier one too and the 1600/1640 action was designed to handle modern magnums. For collecting, any of these is of great value, especially if not altered.
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madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
My Trade ex m96 sporter (former infantry rifle) shoots 160 gr round nose bullets like a target rifle. Trigger is an aftermarket I don't know what kind from Europe (came with rifle) and breaks at 3 pounds. Choose one from trade ex with side safety, weaver type mounts and preferably a sporter stock, Anthony will guide you well. Get one and go shoot it!
regards, Darryl
regards, Darryl
The 6.5x55 with 120, 139, 140 bullets is deadly on deer. I have used one with Hornady 160gr RN bullets on moose. Excellent one shot kills.
I like the accuracy and lower recoil. Come to think about it, lower recoil enhances accuracy.
I have a Century Arms sporter and a Winchester M70.
I like the accuracy and lower recoil. Come to think about it, lower recoil enhances accuracy.
I have a Century Arms sporter and a Winchester M70.
NewToTheGame
Regular
- Location
- Embro, Ontario!!
I love mine, I paid $100 with a scope and mount included... I love it!! I shoot everything from 95gr vmax to 140gr. They all shoot fine.
I'm taking it moose hunting this fall!
Get one and you won't be dissapointed!
I'm taking it moose hunting this fall!
Get one and you won't be dissapointed!
