modern commercial factory loaded 6.5 x 55 ammo? What year of production to stay away from ? Thinking of getting one for collection and hunting . I dont reload so i would assume most factory made ammos are downloaded , right ? A lot of wonderful articles extoling the Swede mauser so it must be the cream of the crop.
Are all M 96 and M38 Swede Mausers okey with
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Kernel
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If I remember my Swedish Mauser lore, there was a precursor to the 1896. They called it the 1894 and it was also chambered in 6.5x55. If there’s anything like a “weak” Swede that would be it. But even that rifle should be safe with all factory ammunition. I wouldn't hot rod the handloads, though. You sometimes see a Swedish 1894 Carbine at a gunshow or on Gun Broker. Cute little things.
Mr_Pale_Horse
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They are all suitable for modern ammo, even the 94.
Speedo66
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There are no bad Swedish Mausers, only, as previously mentioned, better ones.
Find some european loaded cartridges for full power.
Find some european loaded cartridges for full power.
Float Pilot
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The working pressure for factory loaded 6.5x55mm ammunition is kept at 46,000 CUP (51,000 psi via transducer) due to the original Krag and Swede Mausers.
The 6.5x55mm cartridge s different from other Mauser cartridges because it is NOT a Mauser originated cartridge. Long story short, back during the time of its development, Sweden controlled Norway by way of having the same King.
A committee between the two countries argued about, developed and tested various military cartridges for a period of years. Around 1890 and 1891 they finally agreed on a 6.5mm Cartridge.
However, after various weapons trails the final three rifles came down to the Mauser, The Krag and the Mannlicher.
Norway,, for some strange reason was allowed to adopt the Krag while Sweden adopted the Rifle designed by Paul Mauser. (it did turn out that several top military advisors were actually stock holders in the Krag company)
Both ended up being chambered in 6.5x55mm. the Krag is much weaker and ammunition has always been factory loaded with that in mind.
Plus it should be remembered that the m/94s, m/96s and m/38s and the CG-63 target rifles are all small ring Mauser actions, without the improvements of the 1898 action.
Since the Swedish cavalry had been the last branch to get new weapons during a previous upgrade, they were allowed to obtain the first Mauser actioned rifles produced in carbine form. The model of 1894 carbine.
The first 12,000 of the carbines were test fired in Sept 1895 and the carbines from that order were finished by Feb 1896. Those were made by the Mauser company in Oberndorf using Swedish steel and with Swedish inspectors.
Manufacture was then moved to Sweden where between 1898 and 1932 approximately another 115,000 carbines were produced.
Full length infantry rifle production Started in Sweden in 1898 in Sweden and additional rifles were made in Germany during 1899 and 1900. That production lasted until the mid 1920s with some rifles being made in the 1930s.
During WII Husqvarna company was contracted to make M/38 rifles which are the same action with a 23.5 inch barrel.
The carbine action and the m/96 rifle action are the same. In fact many CG-63 target rifles built during the 1960s used actions from either carbines or rifles. Many of which date to 1900 or earlier.
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foudufoot
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I second Pale Hose's comment. Kernel's Swedish lore is just that. There is NO DIFFERENCE betwen an 1896 and 1894 small-ring Mauser receiver. All modern 6.5 x 55 Swedish commercial ammo can be safely fired in either, provided the rifle is in good working condition. I have shot most commercial ammo out of mine.
In fact, the 94 action was also used to chamber the more potent 9.3x57 mm and 9.3x62 mm rounds in the Husqvarna models 46 and 46AN sporting rifles. (cf. Husqvarna Jaktvapen 1870-1977).
Pictures are of my HVA m46 chambered in the 9.3x57 mm cartridge that can generate over 2700 ft.lbs of Muzzle energy:
(c.f. http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x57_mauser.htm)
They are said to be able to handle up to 45,000 psi breech pressure (Frank De Haas, Wayne Van Zwoll - 2003 - Bolt Action Rifles).
In fact, the 94 action was also used to chamber the more potent 9.3x57 mm and 9.3x62 mm rounds in the Husqvarna models 46 and 46AN sporting rifles. (cf. Husqvarna Jaktvapen 1870-1977).
Pictures are of my HVA m46 chambered in the 9.3x57 mm cartridge that can generate over 2700 ft.lbs of Muzzle energy:
(c.f. http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x57_mauser.htm)
They are said to be able to handle up to 45,000 psi breech pressure (Frank De Haas, Wayne Van Zwoll - 2003 - Bolt Action Rifles).
Attachments
I got my first K 31 Swiss almost two weeks ago and havent fired yet. Most swear of its inherent accuracy. Now Im interested to get a M 96 someday.
Are they hard to find ? Are they as plentiful in numbers the ones imported into the USA (K 31s are plentiful right now) ? Looks like these M 96s are largely scooped up by collectors and use in rifle matches ?
Are they hard to find ? Are they as plentiful in numbers the ones imported into the USA (K 31s are plentiful right now) ? Looks like these M 96s are largely scooped up by collectors and use in rifle matches ?
Speedo66
Member
Hard to find?
Here's one listed on this site yesterday.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=482236
Because of the depressed economy you can pick up a good M96 for $250.00 or even less if you look hard enough. Try gunboards.com for a source. I prefer the m38 myself. A bit more expensive, but I think it looks better with the bent bolt and shorter barrel. All Swedes are really works of art. The Swede and Swiss dominate the vintage rifle matches, but Finns and even the lowly Russian 91/30 can be winners. Which old military rifle is best is an often debated question and sure to raise voices and blood pressures so I'll sidestep that issue. The shooter is 99% of the equation anyway.
guntech59
Member
Yes. Mostly because the manufacturers keep the pressures down in the commercial loadings so they can be used in the (weaker) 1894 Krag action.
The Speer manual has two different section for 6.5x55 data...military action and commercial actions. Their military action loads are MUCH more conservative than those found the Sierra manual. Interestingly Sierra actually used a Swede M96 as their test platform and their max loads are 10% higher than Speer.
My opinion is that when people are speaking about the "weaker" action for the 6.5x55, they are speaking about the Krag rifle with its ONE locking lug.
While I don't push my Swede (CG 1905) to the max, it is due to its AGE not any inherent weakness.
Link to a good article anout the 1894 Krag-Jorgensen action.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/ST_norwegianmodels_200904/index2.html
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