I'm thinking of getting a 6.5 x55 ex mil rifle for occasional ferals and junk plinking etc.
I'm happy with 'cheap and dirty' as long as it is safe(no historical design flaws etc). Apart from seeing if the bore is half decent is there anything I should look for, or years or models I should avoid?
There are carcano carbines around for only a handful of dollars and carl gustav's etc. for a bit more here.Thanks if anyone can help.

Karl.

Karl
Stay away from the carcano's. The calibre 6.5x52 is fine, but the rifle is crap. Go with the Carl Gustav. All the models are good and at a later stage if you want to fix her up, Timmny does triggers and low swing safty's for them.
Lawerence Ordanance had new (in the white) M38 barrels, but that was a few years ago now.

They are a fine gun and a great calibre. I use mine up here on pigs and donkeys and havn't recovered a bullet yet but anything hit will go down.
There are a few site on the web (can't for the life of me remember them now)that will give you info and even tell you what the brass disc's mean on the butt.

Bakes

The most popular, older Swedish military rifles, come in two, basic flavors. The M96, with a 29" barrel, and a M38, with a 23" tube. Both rifles are well crafted and you should be able to get a nice example of a M96 for less than $250. The M38 tends to sell for, up to, a $100 more in the U.S. The actions are Mauser 96 and "cock-on-close". New, standard military barrels, for both models, are available from SAMCO, Inc. The twist is around 1:8 1/2 so, they handle bullets to 160gr very well. Scads of bullets, cases, etc, are available and at reasonable prices. Both models are excellent shooters even with the standard military open sights. I believe the Swedes and K31, Schmidt-Rubin, 7.5x55, are two of the best examples of military, rifle craftsmanship. A Swedish M96/M38 is an excellent choice.

I'd get a Swede instead of a Carcano, but if you could find a Norwegian Krag in good condition, they are superb! I had one, and it is one of the few I should have kept!!

Go with the Swede M96 Mausers, these are well made and accurate. I have had excellent accuracy with the 140 gr bullets. The long barrels and long sight radius help out this already fine cartridge. The Swede m41 ball milsurp ammo is fairly accurate, if you can find a good deal in your area. Be aware for reloading, that the case web diameter is .476" vrs .470" for 30.06 sized brass. Some american brass (not all) is made from the smaller sized cases and is not optimal.

Just bought an M96! Haven't actually seen it yet-I had a mate working in a gunstore put one aside until I come in.Thanks for the advice all.

Karl.

I would say that a Swede 96/38 would be a much stronger rifle then a Krag. I love the smooth Krag actions, but the Swedes and then the 98's are way stronger. - Dan

I have 3 Swedish M96's in 6.5x55. They were made in 1900, 1907 and 1916. I'm amazed at how well each of them shoots. The Swedes weren't hard on their military rifles. My first year in Canada I was a bit traumatized by the severity of the long winter. I decided to restore an old military rifle as a project to help see me through the winter months. I started with a M96. Damn things are like peanuts, can't eat just one. I believe the Swedes recalled their rifles periodically to an arsenal to evaluate them and select the better ones for sniper rifles. In any event they seem to have been checked out regularly, and it shows in their longevity. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Hell Cal, Montreal doesn't even get long winters! Just short bursts. - Dan

Well I just took the 6.5 to the range. Shot some of the best groups I ever have with iron sights. A weatherby guarantee for 10 times less money
The gun has 1901 stamped on it and the stock is a bit scratched, but the bore is obviously in good shape.
We even clowned about with a spotting scope picking clods off out to 300 yards.
The ammo was 139gn factory loaded Highland AX which I think is an eastern-bloc type brand marketed here?
So apart from my bigbore reputation being in ruins at that gunstore I'm quite pleased.

Thanks again,
Karl.

I handed mine to my son one day at the range and he picked off a small tin can at 200yds on his first shot.....

Nice rifles!

I have both the m96 and the m38. The m96 was the first high power rifle that I owned. I learned to shoot those open sites pretty well. I am just getting into reloading so have mostly used factory stuff in the sweed but It does all you want it to and more. The m38 has been hacked on some what but makes a good knock around rifle. It has a scope mounted a wing safty, the trigger has been changed, bolt has been bent, but it shoots very well. I am glad I found it. Found it in a pawn shop for 190$. Best buy I have made yet. Is it worth the trouble to make it a cock on open action? I am sure that doing that is a pain in the butt. LLB

[ 12-08-2003, 21:25: Message edited by: Littleloadingblock ]

I have a 1910 Carl Gustafs M96. EXCELLENT SHOOTER!

I've had some high-speed/low drag firearms. But I still like this rifle more than most of the others! DaMan