in the experience of people WHO HAVE ACTUALLY LOADED FOR AND FIRED Swedish Mausers in general, specifically Model 38's, what has been the most accurate bullet weight? I've got 129's, 139's, 140 gr match bullets (Hornady and Sierra) and 156's.

Are you looking for a hunting or target bullet?

i punch paper. and mostly from field positions. i just don't want to waste powder on a weight that's typically inherently not so accurate in Swedes.

real simple question.

One thing to remember about any of the military 6.5x55 rifles is they have a long throat which may influence your bullet weight choices.

You really are asking what is the length of a string!

Each rifle is different.

Only way to find what is best is to try all you have.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
You really are asking what is the length of a string!

Each rifle is different.

Only way to find what is best is to try all you have.

Yep, It's like asking "how far can I see with my binoculars".....well, it depends.

Guns are so very individual.

Not exactly what you're looking for but it's the truth.

Zeke

I know there all different. figured that out about 5 decades ago.

The actual question was IN THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOR REAL LOADED FOR AND FIRED swedish mausers what was the most accurate bullet weight they experienced.

So it appears nobody has actually loaded for and shot any of these.

I thought i made the question specific enough.

quote:

Originally posted by willmckee:
I know there all different. figured that out about 5 decades ago.

The actual question was IN THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOR REAL LOADED FOR AND FIRED swedish mausers what was the most accurate bullet weight they experienced.

So it appears nobody has actually loaded for and shot any of these.

I thought i made the question specific enough.

Is your rifle a 96 converted to a 38? or a Mfg 38?
IIRC the converts were 1 in 7.87 and the 38's are 1 in 7.5

My GF shot swiss matches with a 96 and he used Imr 4350 for his loads I am almost positive he used 139 grain bullets but do not know the mfg
I would ask him the load but he is DEAD

So 139 or 140 with a powder in the 4350 burn rate range and an appropriate primer.



Here is exactly what your 38 was fed in military issue.
The sniper round was exactly the same but much higher quality control.






IDnumber 58
Caliber 6,5x55
Model 6,5 mm sk ptr m/94 prj m/41
Projectile form -
Projectile weight 9,07 Gram
Projectile material Jacket of tombac plated steel. Core of led.
Projectile type Ball
Colour markings -
V0 mps 793 mps
V0 fps -
Propellant Gkr III 0,45-0,60
Propellant weight Gram 2,4 gram
Propellant weight Grain -
The boat tailed Spitz m/41 projectile is the successor to the since long outdated m/94 ogival projectile. Tests for a spitz projectile started already with the m/06 and m/13 trial spitz projectiles, but the final form were adopted from a projectile developed by Norma. The reason for waiting until 1941 were probably that the projectile were more expensive to produce, but finally also Sweden needed to follow the development in the world also for the 6,5 ammunition. The standard m/41 projectile were produced with a mantle of tombac plated steel.

Ref: M7786-002960 Beskr finkal am 1975

I load for a buddy whose Swede prefers the 140G. but does not like the 160. My 6.5 X 54 M/S likes the 160 but not the 140. I have 2 7X57 + one likes the 160 G. + the other 175G. But you have your answer to what bullet weight works best in Peter's rifle. 140 G.

I have seen the same model, from the same manufacture, shooting the same load, vary in velocity by 150 fps.

I have seen the same model, same factory, max at 10 grains more powder than the other.

I have seen factory rifles that will not digest factory ammo without showing signs of pressure.

Each rifle is a law unto itself!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I have seen the same model, from the same manufacture, shooting the same load, vary in velocity by 150 fps.

I have seen the same model, same factory, max at 10 grains more powder than the other.

I have seen factory rifles that will not digest factory ammo without showing signs of pressure.

Each rifle is a law unto itself!

Willmkee doesn't want to hear that even though we thought we were adding value to his discussion!

He said he made the question specific so he needs no other info from us regardless of our experience.

He is correct, I don't load for that cartridge but do for 4 other 6.5's so my info is invalidated.

Zeke

Getting back to the original question. My experience is somewhat limited because I’ve so far used mostly 140 & 156 grain bullets. They both shot well in my sporterized M 96.

I’m not much of a light bullet guy but I did shot some factory 129 grain Hornady light magnums I think they were, with not as good results. Not too suprising since the load reportedly weren’t known for great accuracy.

Hope this helps a little.

I’ve only used 140’s in my Swedish Mauser.

It still has the military sights, and is a collector type rifle. The 140’s shoot better than I can hold that level of irons to, so I can’t say if it’s a good load or not.

Hornady match bullet and Berger shoot the same as far as I can tell.

Those long throated rifles were designed for bullets with a long bearing surface. Stay away from anything with a secant ogive and lean towards the heavy for caliber bullets. Tangent ogive or RN is what you want. The specific weight is not as important as that. You want to get the bearing surface close to the lands.

I used 120 gr. Seirra match bullets in mine; they were finely accurate, but seated out so far as to be barely in the case, so not very practical.

I used 140 gr bullets in my Swedish Mauser

My Husky, made in Sweeden on a Mauser 98 action for years might qualify or maybd not, anyway it is a 9.3x62 and doats on 250 gr. Accubonds and 286 gr. Hornady's and H380 or H414..shoots both tothe same POI...Its a Simpson Inport..

I have a sporterized 38 I have shot a good deal.
My most accurate loads have been with 120 and 140 grain Sierra. The rifle seems to like the long bearing surface , with weight not being the issue.
It does shoot 140 and 129 Hornady OK, just not as well, with groups going out to 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" at 100 yds. IMR 4831 being my rifles fav. powder.

I have had several 6.5x55's over the years. One was a model 96 and the others a model 98. In the 96 I had good luck with 140 and 160 grain. In the 98's the 140's were the best overall.

No experience with the model 38.

Since the 1986 sealed pack of Swedish ball ammunition I have is all 143 grain bullets, I am going to recommend 140 grain bullets!




M1896 Infantry Rifle 29' barrel Carl Gustafs mfgr 1903


17-Aug-06 T = 85 °F
143 gr FMJ 1986 Swedish Ball

Ave Vel = 2610
Std Dev = 14.38
ES = 45.59
High = 2633
Low = 2587
N = 8



M38 Infantry Carbine 24" barrel

28-Oct-94 T ≈ 60 °F

143 gr 1986 Swedish Ball OAL 3.065" 47.4 grs powder average

Ave Vel = 2427
STD=22
ES = 62
Low = 2395
High = 2457
N = 10

M700 22" Barrel

143 gr Swedish Ball 1986 headstamp

2 Feb 2008 T = 54 °F

Ave Vel =2470
Std Dev =18
ES =48
High =2491
Low =2443
N =5


In a 1950’s article on the 6.5 Swede, Ludwig Olson claimed that a 140 grain bullet with 43 grains IMR 4350 was a factory equivalent load. And, I believe it based on my chronograph data.


140 gr Hornady Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350 R-P new brass CCI-200 OAL 2.990"

2 Feb 2008 T = 52 °F

Ave Vel = 2512
Std Dev = 27
ES = 72
High = 2547
Low = 2475
N = 5

140 gr Hornady Spire Point (0.264") 43.0 grs AA4350 new R-P cases CCI 200 OAL 2.990" loaded 2-5-2000
2 Nov 2017 T=72 °F

Ave Vel =2531
Std Dev =14
ES =33
High =2540
Low =2507
N=5


One thing to understand, your rifle is a military rifle. It was never built to be a target rifle, accuracy was one of those things that was traded off for producibility, weight, reliability, etc. Swedish military rifles tend to be very accurate for a military rifle, but military rifles are not going to be as accurate as full blown target rifles. And these military rifles have seen a lot of use, and one shold expect the barrel to have wear.

One other point, 3 to 4 MOA was acceptable for most military bolt rifles with issue ammunition. Gas operated military rifles are even less accurate.





This is not a target rifle, but it shoots a 140 grain bullet with 43.0 grs IMR 4350 well, out to 300 yards.







It really liked Sierra Match Kings

I use the Sierra 140 grain game king in my M38. The next best loading is with Sierra 14o gr pro hunter bullets

I shot a 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser 96 for many years. It always amazed me with accuracy using bullets from 120 grn. to 160 grn. I think it liked 140 grain Speer spitzers best. Do not remember which powder I used, but it didn't seem to matter much. Always under 1 MOA at 100 yards.

Owing to the very limited bullet supply situation, I have had to buy Speer 90gn TNT bullets to load for my
m38 Swede. They are proving very accurate despite the long throat.

Only the individual gun can answer your question, there is no one load, bullet or caliber as guns are an inity unto themselves..If you want an answer, load up some loads and test them on a bench rest with YOUR gun, the rest is hooey!

Bad ass wallace, did you hear any tink, tink sounds as the bullets bounced down the throat?