6.5 Swedish vs 7.5 Swiss

[High Planes Drifter]

I shoot a 6.5 M96 Swede. My shooting buddy shoots a K31. Both are darlings to shoot, and are capable of much better accuracy than most shooters are capable of. I actually considered a K31 before making the decision to aquire my Swede.


That being said, Cosmoline hit the nail on the head; domestic manufacturers are producing 6.5 ammo, and rifles. So if I had to choose one over the other, I wouldnt change my mind. I'd buy the Swede again. Its one of the sweetest shooting, most accurate rifles I've ever fired.

 

[Slamfire]

as .308 or 7.5 Swiss can only drive a 0.6 BC bullet such as the 210gr Berger VLD at 2500-2650 fps, tops.

In my Wilson barreled, 1:10 Match 30-06, I found one powder combination that gave me 2600 fps with a 200 SMK. All other combinations blew primers somewhere around 2550 fps.

I shoot 190's in the 308. I have never pushed a 190 faster than 2600 fps without blowing primers. I start getting leaking primers when the velocity average is above 2550 fps

I suspect that the best you could push a 240 SMK in a 308/7.5 Swiss is 2100 fps. That is slow, the recoil would be harsh, and I don't want to shoot it.

Every long range shooter that I know, who used the 300 Win Magnum, are all shooting 6.5 or 6mm cartridges. Recoil causes involuntary flinching. You flinch, you mess up the shot.

However, this discussion is academic. Both the 7.5 Swiss and the 6.5 Swede are fine cartridges when used within their design limits, for the missions they were created.

 

[USSR]

I shoot 190's in the 308. I have never pushed a 190 faster than 2600 fps without blowing primers. I start getting leaking primers when the velocity average is above 2550 fps

SlamFire1,

What powder and brass are you using?

Don

 

[Slamfire]

I test my loads in my rifles. Then I shoot them in matches. Often these matches are in June, July, August, September and the highest temperatures on the firing line are easily 90 F to 100 F. It is easy to blow primers in hot weather.

I am now conducting most of my "on the bench" testing with a Ruger MkII; the barrel is excellent and I am not wearing out my Krieger or Douglas barrels with extensive load development.

The 190 grain 308 load I have used for over a decade is 42.0 grs IMR 4064. This load is a maximum load, and I found that a simple case change, to LC brass and CCI#34 primers created an over max condition.

The primer pockets on my Federal brass expanded to where all of those cases are now in the recycle bucket. I am now using Winchester brass, which weighs less than LC.

I have started experimenting with Varget, the Feb match I shot with Varget I shot a 196-6X at 600 yards with the stuff. My 6X count was low for me and I don't know if it was me or the powder. My testing indicates that I can get a little more velocity with Varget, but until I feel confident that it will hold the X ring, I will gladly go slower to get more X's.

Ruger M77 MKII
26 " Barrel 1:10 twist


190 Sierra 42.0 grs IMR 4064 wtd lot 2277 19-Oct-04 T = 77 ° F
165grs ≤ Fed cases ≤ 167 grs Fed 210S OAL 2.850

Ave Vel = 2521
Std Dev = 15
ES = 54
Low = 2493
High = 2547
N = 20

M70 24” Douglas 1:10

190 Sierra Match 42.0 grs IMR4064 wtd lot 2277
161 ≤ Fed case ≤ 164.9 Fed 210S OAL 2.85
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F

Ave Vel = 2516 reference load


190 Sierra Match 42.0 grs IMR4064 wtd lot 2277 OAL 2.85
LC88 Match CCI #34

3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2560
Std Dev = 18
ES = 47
High = 2588
Low = 2541
N = 5
Overmax load

 

[USSR]

The 190 grain 308 load I have used for over a decade is 42.0 grs IMR 4064. This load is a maximum load, and I found that a simple case change, to LC brass and CCI#34 primers created an over max condition.

LOL, yeah, you found out about the reduced case capacity of LC Match brass the "up close and personal" way. And moving from a Fed 210 to a CCI #34 primer only compounded your problem. Good move going to the Winchester brass. I use Hornady Match brass for my 190 loads; light with a large case capacity like Winchester. You need a slower burning powder (and a milder primer) than you're using. The absolutely, hands down best is VV N550. With 46.6gr of this powder, I get 2687fps with zero pressure signs. Quick Load says I can safely add even more powder, and I have some loads with 46.9gr, 47.2gr, and 47.5gr made up and ready for testing. I also made up some loads with H4350, but I've got my doubts that I can get enough powder in the case to get decent velocity.

Don

 

[Slamfire]

I tested H4350 and IMR 4350 in my Krieger Barreled 308. While the accuracy was good, I was not impressed with the velocities.

Depending on the case capacity, 47.0 grains fills the case. My R-P brass was able to take a half grain more. One issue I found was that seating depth was inconsistent with a case full of 4350. I could actually see the bullet rise out of the neck, when the case was removed from the seater. All that 4350 was pushing back.

Maybe drop tubes would help with compaction, but I decided to stop fooling with the stuff.



190 gr Speer Match 45.0 grs H4350 wt'd R-P cases Fed 210S
9 Mar 97 T=70F

Ave Vel = 2301
Std Dev = 24
ES = 65
Low = 2272
High = 2337
N = 5

190 gr Speer Match 46.0 grs H4350 wt'd R-P cases Fed 210S
9 Mar 97 T=70F
Ave Vel = 2382
Std Dev = 17
ES = 36
Low = 2365
High = 2401
N = 6

190 gr Speer Match 47.5 grs H4350 wt'd R-P cases Fed 210S
30 April 97 T=72F
Ave Vel = 2414
Std Dev = 9
ES = 23
Low = 2402
High = 2425
N = 9

 

[scotjute]

The Swedish Mauser round in SP ammo is excellent for deer size animals. The two I've killed dropped immediately. The Swedes use if for hunting their "elk" all the time.