You will have to set the barrel back as the 6.5x55 is larger than both '06 and 308 case. A better choice in my opinion is a 6.5/284. This is what I did. It made a perfect deer rifle. I like it so much I rebarrelled another to 6/284 with a 28" stainless. Awesome cartridge.Mark
Posts: 109 | Location: Sask.Ca | Registered: 27 February 2001
You probably won't need to set the barrel back if you don't mind a bit of jugging at the rear of the case. It wouldn't be any worse than using 6.5x55 brass of US manufacture. The US brass is standard 30-06 head size.
As to the strength of the action, they are on a par with all mauser actions. The 96 action lacks the third safety lug found on 98 actions. Also its bolt doesn't have as much gas venting as the 98. That said, I doubt the venting is any worse than a model 70 receiver and bolt.
A swede m96 loaded to the same pressure level as a .260 remington is impressive little engine indeed. You can obtain 2950-3000 fps with 140 grain bullets and mid 27XX and up with 160 grain bullets from a 29 inch barrel. [Safety disclaimer: This is only safe in MY swedes.]
For most loads, I doubt you will gain much more than 75 fps rechambering it to 6.5-06 or 6.5/284. I know some of the prone boys are getting 3100 plus in long barreled 6.5/284 and 6.5-06 rifles. I am also betting they are well above 62,000 psi.
Mark's suggestion is good and will save you modifying the magazine to feed the 3.34" cases.
I have seen this conversion but have always declined to do it myself. I have no doubt that the 96 is strong enough but just don't like it! One reason is that I think the 6.5x55 is so good as a cartridge that it is hard to improve on it! Regards, Bill.
I have 96 actions in 6.5 x 55 and 6.5-06. Turned the barrel back a little and rechambered on the 6.5-06, and modified the magazine. MOA with Sierra 140 gr bullets @ 2950-3000 fps. Works fine and I have no safety concerns. As long as I don't go nuts reloading. The swedes built a strong action and used some of the best steel available at the time. Next one will be a 6.5 x 55 Ackley Improved.
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
It seems that sources in the U.S. warn against the 96 being converted to anything other than older lower pressure calibers. However on this bullitin board there seems to be the opinion that the new higher pressure conversions are perfectly alright. Who is right? Even though we are told that the 96 cannot take the higher pressures I have never even read of one failing.
Posts: 187 | Location: eastern USA | Registered: 06 September 2001
quote:Originally posted by WyomingSwede: Any opinions on a 6.5-300WSM conversion. Shouldnt need the mag modified....action should take it?????
Well, it sure would need some bolt, extractor, magazine (or maybe only the follower), feed lip and ramp work... Given the larger diameter case, pressure would have to be kept at a lower level to keep bolt thrust the same as with standard dia cases. The larger chamber could possibly add some problems too, by reducing the amount of metal resisting the radial forces...
The Doctor that developed the Arch series of wildcats based on the 6.5x55 case, chambered one for .264 Winchester and reported no problems. The safety lug issue is a red herring, the bolt handle root serves just fine. Would I do it, no, I like my Swedes just the way they are. The warnings in the loading manuals appear to be caused by the fact that Norway used Krags chambered for the same cartridge. Those are definetly not strong enough for higher pressures.
I wouldn't recommend it. No third locking lug on those Swedes unless you have a second version 1896 expermential model which are quite rare. They cock on opening & have the third lug & the 98 type bolt shroud. The chamber pressure for the 6.5 Swede round is much less than what is needed to get the benefit you want from the 6.5-06.
------------------ NRA Life member
Posts: 8351 | Location: Jennings Louisiana, Arkansas by way of Alabama by way of South Carloina by way of County Antrim Irland by way of Lanarkshire Scotland. | Registered: 02 November 2001
Hey Nothing to bother about, I would have used a nice 98 instead of the old 96. The 96 actions are soft and doesn't have the large market of spare parts, triggers and floorplates as the 98.
The action of the 96 is not worth to rebuild, resale value would't be much. Invest in a good clean 98, civilian or one of the better militairy action. Why spend cash to build a rifle from junk ??
The Sweedes are not soft, they are very good steel and well made...they do not have a 3rd lug and thats not good....The 3rd lug is for when things go South, THEN it is important.
The Sweedes reputation for being soft came about because the military loaded them to 40,000 PSI and folks just assumed they were soft because of that, in fact they are not soft...that falsehood expanded itself to fact over the years because BS rises to the top just like cream....A gunwritter started that rumor...And a shame it is because they are such well polished and finished actions. When loaded to intelligent velocities they are just fine....
Ray, I have not Rockwell tested any actions, but I can tell you that I've seen M96's with lug setback firing factory 6.5 Swede, and Swede bolts can be easily scratched with a file, and I've never seen a M98 bolt that could.
Posts: 3097 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 28 November 2001
