Just got my 1900 M96-38 Swede Mauser 6.5x55

I am new to reloading.

Anybody have experience reloading for this rifle ? What powder, load and bullet type work well ?

I plan on just target shooting 100-200 yards.

I also have a 1900 Carl gustaf m38/96, and a few others.

Reloader 22 is the best powder for the swede

Any 140 gr bullet,(Nosler, hornaday, Sierra, speer) 46 to 47 gr R22. I have used as high as 48gr R22.

129 hornadays work good also for more velosity

120 gr bullets are shorter and have a long jump to the lands but work good.

160 gr sierras work good

I will try some 155 Lapua megas soon

Reloader 22 is just about perfect for the 6.5 and 140gr bullets.

My opinion, and I'm sure there are others that work well too (IMR 4831 comes to mind)

Boarman,
Do you have a modern rifle to learn to reload with?
The M96 is a fine rifle but it is not a tolerant of newby mistakes as most modern rifles. They have much tougher steels.
Try a couple hundred rounds in a modern rifle then go for the Swede when you are a little more familiar with the process.

Ireload2,
Good idea. I will start with a modern rifle.

Try the Hornaday 140 gr A-max bullet in front of 44 grs of H4831sc. It's not a barn burner for speed, but unbelievably accurate in my M38.

This cartridge likes slow powders.
H4831, R22, AA3100

If you stick with these you can't get
enough of it in the case to cause any
harm. So you have a built in safety
factor. Just take care and stay within
the loads in your manuals.

The long throated and fast twist Swedes
like long bullets. 120 grain or heavier.

Have fun. You have a great rifle and are
starting up with a great hobby in handloading.

dxr

+1 on the AMAX in military Swedes, though I stoke mine with R22. One piece of advice: Lapua is the only brass to consider for the Swede.


Eric