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How strong are the M96 and M38 6.5's? Do all loads listed for 6.5x55 apply to them? What would be the maximum KE for the calibre in these actions? Thanks Karl. | ||
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They are not the strongest actions around. The newer K98s are reputed to be quite a bit stronger. Most published loads are for the milsurps. Some books specifically say "Swedish Mauser", and specify that the loads were worked up in a Swede, not in a modern firearm. Without loading past the published limit, my M96 gives me 2800 fps on a 140 grain bullet, which is ample. | |||
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The M96 may not be the 'safest' action like the 98's which are generally considered to be the safest, but the swede is plenty strong even with out the extra lug or larger venting of the 98's. Perhaps I am wrong, but I seem to recall that the Swede's blue pilled blue pilled the 96's in the mid 60K CUP range, not PSI but CUP. I wonder which countries blue pilled their mausers at what pressures!!! Curiously, if the Swede's shoot their military ammo(? 139, 140, or 144gr?) in their 96's, why is it that the vels are in the 2600fps range? Why does Norma's ammo go faster? Do slower speeds and lower pressures for Swede ammo have anything to do with the single lugged 6.5 Krag's which Norway and Sweden used? | |||
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Good posts already. Walsh, in his book on sporterizing Mausers, says that the Swede is good for high pressure. I think he bases that on the Swedes converted it to .308. Reasoning like that and 10 cents will get you coffee. Remember the US government said the CZ52 pistol was stronger than the Tokarev in 1970 with obviously no analysis or testing on the chamber, just triggering on the roller blocks. If Ackley had just tested the Swede, we could all be quoting him. I bought a '96 and an ufired '38 for destructive test, but until then, you had better follow the what the load books say about Swedes. The Lapua/VV site shows 2789 fps with 144 gr bullets. http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/download.asp You need more? | |||
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The Swedes used their small ring action for every chambering imaginable, 30-06, 9x62, 308, European wildcats, and lots of others. I do not recall any report of a 96 action failing. The gas handling is a weakness, not the action. A friend who does business says the Swedes just shake their heads when he mentions the "drawbacks" of the small ring action. I would say these are as finely made as any action in history, with the finest steel money could buy. I would not hesitate to gradually work one up to hot loads as one would do with any rifle. | |||
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Great Posts All, FWIW, my old Fed/Norma chart show a 139 grainer delivering max about 2500ftlb at the muzzle. Thanks for the VV link. Denton, your pressure/numbers crunching and Clark, your failure/overload observations are always interesting reading! Keep up the good work. Now if only I could just locate that hard to find 10 cent cup of coffee and some K-31/K-11 tests. Wishin'Dreamin' Best-o-Luck All | |||
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I have 3 of the old Swedish M96's, built in 1900, 1907 and 1917. I load them at the listed manual max and have never experienced any problems. The major virtue of the Swedish Mausers is that they weren't abused, rarely saw combat and were regularly recalled by the arsenals for inspection. I agree the M98 is probably a bit stronger, but after seeing heavy service in two world wars some of them are pretty well used up as far as effectiveness goes. I'm very satisfied with my M96's. Best wishes. Cal - Montreal | |||
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Thanks very much gents. The main reason I asked is the low velocity I found a certain brand of ammo here acheiving.I wondered if it was loaded low for safety, like 45/70 is for example. Karl. | |||
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I think most of the reasoning behind the anemic loadings pertain to the rifles dating from 1896, and also having one less locking lug than the M98's. I load my M96's up to book max and haven't had any problems. I also have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55 that is a different animal altogether. It's one of the strongest commercial actions on the market. I load that rascal up there quite a ways. I easily get 2800fps with a 140gr bullet. Best wishes. Cal - Montreal | |||
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Quote:  I always thought that Sweden was neutral in both WWs. I once bought a baker's dozen of M38's that appeared to be almost new. Sold all but 2 of them at a nice profit  RifleDude | |||
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Quote: I think the reference is to the K98, not the 96's. The Swedish rifles DID however see combat use on a lmited basis with the Finnish army in their noble efforts versus Uncle Joe and the Red Horde. Some as gifts (sort of a Swedish lend lease) and some with Swedish volenteers who left their rifles behind when withdrawn. Finland returned the rifles after the war, having a bit more character than most the U. S. helped save. | |||
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