6.5 Swede target loads, any favorites?

[Float Pilot]

Anyone have any favorite 6.5 x 55mm Swede Mauser target loads?
I have been playing around with an Oberndorf (1900) M-96 and a 1943 Huqvarna M-38. I have been able to get the groups down to about an inch or slightly less but nothing super great yet.

[Lodiman]

48 grains H4350 120 gr. sierra matchking. Also, 49.5 g h4350(max)

[.30 HART]

46 grs IMR 4350 behind 142 Sierra matachking or 45 behind Berger 140 vld seated to within .005 off lands

[tddeangelo]

Anyone have any favorite 6.5 x 55mm Swede Mauser target loads?
I have been playing around with an Oberndorf (1900) M-96 and a 1943 Huqvarna M-38. I have been able to get the groups down to about an inch or slightly less but nothing super great yet.

If those rifles aren't altered and you're shooting MOA or slightly less, I'd suggest you have a good load for the rifles. Shooting sub-MOA with military sights, particularly those found on the Swedish rifles, is pretty darned difficult. The rifles are surely capable, but it takes a very, very, very keen eye.

If they are altered, then you still have a pretty nice group from the loads you're using.

That said, I'll check loading data. I've primarily used IMR4064 with Hornady 139gr. spire points. That load gives me groups under an inch at 100 if I'm very, very careful with my sight picture. It's easy to think you've replicated the sight picture identically for each shot and still be slightly different each time.

[Float Pilot]

Of course they both shoot high at 100 meters since their sights were made for 300.
I am basically sandbagging them into a cradle sled.
I am tyrying to keep the loads fairly mild. I have lots of other rifles for hot loads.
I think 30 Harts load of 46 grains of IMR 4350 would be over the design limit of the 1896 actions.

[tddeangelo]

If you know someone who can weld, have them make the front sight a bit higher. I had a guy who can do that weld a small extension to the front sight. With it filed into the right profile, you'd be hard pressed to see the difference, and the rifle shoots to point of aim at 100 yards with the leaf sight.

What I didn't do that I should have, however, is file it to zero with the leaf sight at the 200 meter setting. That gives me room to adjust up or down. As it stands, I can't make it shoot lower than it does without repeating the entire process, but it works well for hunting purposes. If you pick a particular load and stick with it that works.

Our 4064 load is on the mild end. I think the 139's do about 2300-2400 from it. Report, recoil, muzzle blast, etc. are minimal with it, and I've seen quite a few deer killed with it. I'll have to check loading notes and get back to you with it though. I know it's on the mild end of the 4064 data, though. We could up it considerably, but there's no need.

[Float Pilot]

I have a couple of taller front sight blades out in my shop. So far I am jsut playing around for best groups and reasonable pressure loads. Both my Swedes are in super shape so I am only ever going to take them to the range. I have a BUNCH of other rifles for hunting.

Once I figue a couple good loads then I will goof around with the front sight blade. My M-96 has an M-55 adjustable rear sight. I think it was an FSR rifle. It has a brand new barrel.

My M-38 was more than likely used by a military school or academy as a training rifle. It is set up in an odd configuration with a school carbine canvas sling.

Too bad we can't post photos on this site.

I loaded some 140 grain Sierra Matchkings last night with 40 grains of RL-22 and a 215M Federal primer.
I used WW virgin brass and loaded them to 3.050 COL.

[tddeangelo]

I know the rear sight you're talking about. I never had one with that sight on it, but they looked interesting.

I had a canvas sling for my Swede that I gave away when I got a nice leather one. Don't ask me where I got a leather issue sling. I don't remember anymore. I bought a '96 bayonet for $15 in a surplus store years ago. Glad I did. It's in much better shape than what I see around today, and for many times more in cost.

I used my '96 to hunt and took two deer with it. My dad and brother have both used their 96's and 38's as well. My dad has a '94 carbine he's never taken to hunt, but I might. He's in his 60's and can't see the sights well, but I'm still just young enough (32) that I can use them.

[Float Pilot]

A 94 is the next rifle on my list of Swedes to obtain. It is getting harder to find ones that are not cut up.

[Lodiman]

I put a Bsquare mount on the rear sight and pistol scope and it works well. One load we used for deerhunting was 48 or 49 grains of H1000 behind a 160 sierra. Now they don't make 160's anymore and so I have some hornady round noses but I am going to order some Norma 156's Better ballistics than the 160 round noses. That particular load is a 2500 fps one. I posted some load data before under 6.5 Jive thread. The weather has been crappy and I am waiting for some nicer weather to do some target shooting/chronying. We have a 140 Load with around 48 or 49 grains of RE 19 which was pretty good too if I recall. A 2700 fps load. Wasn't as accurate as I would have liked though. around an 1.5 pattern.

[tddeangelo]

A 94 is the next rifle on my list of Swedes to obtain. It is getting harder to find ones that are not cut up.

Like a moron, I walked away from a very good condition original all matching 94 at the local cabela's. It was up for $350. I thought "No one will know what that is...I'll come back in two weeks and haggle them down." It was gone two days later.

What a dumb move on my part....$350 was a deal to begin with.

[Float Pilot]

YEAH!!!!

About half of what they have been going for lately....

Drop and give me 75!

[Lodiman]

A fellow I knew had one (94)that looked like it came out of the box. Not a nick scratch or anything and the metal was as close to perfect as you could get. I always wished I would have tried to buy that from him.