Tradex M96 calibers

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lauder99

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Afternoon all

I hope this is the right section for this query. I am looking for my first hunting rifle and i am on a tight budget. Having followed te advice in the hunting sec tion sticky i found my way to tradex and i really like the look of some of their m96 sporters. I have done some background reading and found that 6.5x55 was the original chambering for a lot of these. I read that this would be an acceptable deer round but I also see some in 30.06 and 270. What are your opinions for this action in these chambering. I have read various opinions from fine no problem to dont do it that action isnt strong enough for modern pressures. My reason for looking beyond the 6.5 is ammo availability. I am not setup for reloading yet so the easier access to factory ammo is attractive but not if there is a risk of exceeding the limits of the action.
Thanks
Tom
 
Back in 1990 I dropped my one and only Elg/moose in northern Norway from about 70m with one shot from a carbine-length cut-down M96 Swedish Carl Gustav that the interpreter had off his dad in the early 70's. Shooting the Norma 140gr, it went down as if pole-axed and never twitched. It was a culling beast, and was, the guy noted, pretty much starving, but it still weighed a respectable 448kg.

The 6.5x55 has accounted for countless moose-sized animals since the late 1890s. It will do it for you, too. Flat-shooting and with recoil you really won't notice, it'sa great choice.

I have my own Carl Gustaf M96 from 1898, and shoot not only homeloads, but when I'm feeling rich, the Norma FMJs - here in yUK, as I'm not a hunter, I can't have the soft-point stuff.

tac
 
I have just gotten one of their 6.5x55 versions. Very nice. I am not new to the cartridge so I know it is capable of taking deer and moose. I would use it on a bear but have different guns for that. Their guns are always underrated. If they say good it means very good.

You won't exceed the gun with manufactured ammo as the american stuff is all underpowered. Try Privi Partisan or Seller Bolliet. Both have good 140 gr loads. If you can get some 160 and your gun will shoot it, it would make an excellent moose load.

Flat shooting, fast, low recoil. Beats the 270 hands down except for available bullet weights.
 
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I would buy the 6.5x55 calibre rifle. Since you are looking at a hunting rifle, you should also select one that has been drilled and tapped (and maybe with bases), the bolt handle bent, and if possible, get one with a side safety. This will save you money in that drilling and tapping a rifle for a scope would set you back $75+ and the side safety makes it a lot easier and better to put the safety on and off. Also, a side safety allows a bit lower scope mounting.

There are also two different action types for the Husqvarna sporters. The original used the Carl Gustafs actions and had a thumb cut in the left receiver wall that helped fast reloading from a stripper clip. Later Husqvarna made actions had a solid left side wall, which some people consider a bit stronger. These are referred to as "Commercial" actions.

Original m/96 actions used the 55 mm long case, while the 30-06 and .270 uses a 62 mm long case. This means that some of these conversions had to remove a bit of metal from the magazine box in order to heve enough length to get these longer cartridges in.

Another option is the HVA Commercial sporters chambered for the 8x57 Mauser cartridge. This cartridge, when coupled with the proper ammunition, can equal or exceed the 30-06 for performance, especially with European ammo. While 6.5x55 and 8x57 ammo is not usually found at the corner hardware store, it is readily available at most Gun Shops.

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Really can't go wrong with tradex. I bought a used Woodsmaster 30.06 from them last year. I put a scope on it a few weeks ago and took 2 deer with it on Anticosti Island last week. Like many say, they underrate their used firearms. I bought my Mosin 91/30 from them 2 years ago and was really surprised on how excellent shape it was. I would think their other used firearms are also in pretty good condition. Just make sure you read the description of the one you want to buy so you know what your getting.
 
I shot my first two deer with a BSA CF-2 in 6.5x55 using Federal blue box ammo. It is loaded pretty soft compared to the Euro stuff, but neither deer complained or went more than a few steps after being hit. The cartridge is far more effective than the numbers suggest, so whatever you end up with will work just fine on game. When you get into reloading you will find that 6.5x55 really shines when loaded properly.


Mark
 
Thanks guys

lots of good info there, I will check around for the availability of 6.5x55 locally. I never doubted the 6.5x55 would be enough gun just concerned that I couldn't get a variety of ammo easily. It is my intention to reload eventually but will need to make do with factory loaded for a while. Has any factory load distinguished itself over any others?

Tom
 
There are some options out there but in most places (smaller towns) you will be lucky to get the Federal Blue Box or the Remington core locts. If Really lucky you will fall into the European Ammo (Norma/S&B/Lapua). The only factory stuff I ever fired out of the 96 I had was the remington and it shot really well.
 
Winchester, Remington, Federal all make new production ammo for it. 140 gr bullet is all you need. If you can find some 156 or 160s from Norma, you'll be ready for anything.
 
If you're ordering from Tradex anyway, why not just throw in a couple boxes of the 6.5x55 they have on their site? That'll get you up and shooting right away and if worse comes to worse you know you can always order more from them, a dealer you already have a relationship with.

I have dealt with the gentlemen at tradex a couple of times, and each time it's been a pleasant experience.

Happy hunting!
 
Agreed^ I purchased all my milsurps (6.5's and Swiss 7.5's) from trade ex, very happy every time. even ordered ammo with one of the rifle purchases, one stop shop for all my milsurp needs.

Goodluck!

DeltaOps
F.
 
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