i'm not sure if this should go in the reloading section or this one but since it concerns a military rifle i put it here. i have a m96 swedish mauser ordered and plan to load my own ammo for it. i've read that it's not a good idea to load to over 45000 psi for this rifle. first question...is this true? second question , how do i know when i'm over 45000? i load 45.5 grns of imr4350 and a 129 grn bullet in my cz 550 and don't get any signs of pressure(47 grns shows no pressure also) i would like to use the same load in this m96(working up to it of course) but i don't want take a chance on damaging this fine old gun or myself or any bystanders. any/all advice/suggestions are welcome. thanks...bud

Per Hodgdon No. 27 Manual, 45.5 grains of H4350 and the 129 grain spire point yields 2703 fps at 45,500 CUP. IMR4350 is a little faster than H4350, so I'd expect the pressure to be higher.

Actually, the SAAMI spec for the Swede is 46,000 CUP, which is about 52,000 PSI. Most published loads conform to this limit.

43.5 grains of H4350 gives me 2800 fps with a 129 grain pill, and 46.5 of RL22 gives me the same MV with a 140 grain pill.

thanks for the info and the correction about the CUP/psi thing. i'll back off of 45.5 grns of imr4350 a little and stick with the 129 grn bullet. again...thanks

Reloader 22 in a 6.5x55 is like ice cream and apple pie.

M-96 140gr SierraGK BTSP H4350 44gr gives me about 2800fps and 46gr gives about 2900fps. The 96 is a very strong action(Swede's were proofed in the mid 60K CUP). Some will say it is not as safe as the 98 mausers because it has less venting for escaped gases, lacks a third lug, etc. None the less the 96 is a robust action. For my old Hodg.#26 ed and older hornady info with IMR 4350 and 129grainers the max's are at 46grains.

I load 48 gr R22 and a 140 nosler in my m70. Ive shot that same load in my swedes but I knock it down to about 46.5, 47 gr



Reloader 22 is Ive heard the same powder used in swedish ammo

lonnie and gsp...thanks for the replies. it's good to know that the load i use now (45.5 imr 4350) is listed as being below max in some older manuals.

Most of the reloading manuals will list the pressures produced by their loads. That old M96 Swede is a pretty stout action in spite of what you may hear. I have 3 of them that I shoot regularly. I don't abuse them by exceeding max loads. The Swedish rifles were well made and not shot to all hell as some of the German M98s were. The newer commercial rifles in 6.5x55 are even better. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Husqvarna M96 Sporter
* Win. 270
* Very good bore,
* blue worn near muzzle
* finish about 85%

(K1028) $400.00


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The 270Win is 65,000 psi SAAMI and 84,500 to 91,000 psi proof loads.

Those Swedes must think allot more of the 96 action than is often inferred.

That rifle doesn't look like my m/96. Looks more like a m/98 to me. A HVA 1600-series, right?

Re 22 at 45.5 grains and either a Hornady A-Max bullet or SST bullet gives 1.1" 5 shot groups out of my 1903 Carl Gustaf with iron sights. As someone said above, Re 22 and the Swede go together like apple pie and ice cream.

Joe