My first swede!!! yeaaaaahhhh!

[BsChoy]

I finally got myself the 6.5x55 M38 I have wanted for a while. I had to decide wether to use the money from the sale of my G19 for the G30 or get the swede. I came to the conclusion that the swede will never get cheaper and alot harder to find. Besides I have the G21 just need a good holster. Anything thing I should know about them that you Mauser guys already found out? Now, what to feed her..........

 

[GTSteve03]

They're definitely the best Mauser, IMNSHO.

Check the sights. With an M38 I'm not sure if its as much of a problem but with the M96, the sights are set with a minimum 300yd zero, so you're gonna shoot WAY high at a 100yd range.

What are the readings on your stock disc? Look for the stamped triangles above the numbers. They will tell you the condition of the bore. We can explain in more detail if you aren't already aware of the system.

As far as what to feed her, I've been feeding mine the Wolf Gold line of 6.5x55. It's just repackaged Serbian ammo, and I feel that a European ammo company will probably make a better round than the American ones since they've got more exposure to it. I am eventually going to handload Lapua brass when I can get my reloading kit setup.

Just make sure to take pics and post here and enjoy your new beauty!

 

[Cosmoline]

Now you just need to eat lutefisk on poulsbo bread. Yeah sure, you betcha.

 

[Rangr44]

[I feel that a European ammo company will probably make a better round than the American ones since they've got more exposure to it.]

+1

I use Norma in my 6.5X55 Model 70 Featherweight for the same reason. It costs a little more money, but what the heck - it's only paper!

 

[Gustav]

Swedes are great rifles they reflect old world craftsmanship from a bygone era.
Swedish steel is is among the best made, during WW II for example Germany was importing as much as they could get often prefering it to their own.
After WW II a well known Japanese camera maker went around the globe in search of the best steel for camera shutter return springs they ended up choosing Swedish steel.
The round shoots flat especially in a long barrel 1896 and it does not have the same kick a heavier round does.
Some people have had problems with PMC ammunition in the past so do a bit of research to see what and why.
Norma is top quality as is Lapua, Federal is good so is Remington and Winchester most American ammunition has a slightly narrower headspace diameter though.
You should have many good years if not a lifetime of service out of this rifle if cared for properly.
Enjoy it and take care of it since most of the Swedes you see are the 1896 Infantry rifles and not the short 1938s which are less common as fewer were produced.
No more will be imported what is here is pretty much what is available.
Back in the 1960s allot of the Swedish 1894 carbines were imported many were bought cheap and hacked up or sporterized now originals bring top dollar and just an original stock for one will sell for as much as you paid for your rifle.
You have a jewel that's best kept original IMHO but be warned they are habit forming.

 

[yodar]

'96 Swede

I reload swede. So that allows me to compensate (a little) for the 300 yard sights. However SARCO and others (Numrich) offer TALL front sights for swedes to get your 100 yards. Cost $14.95

yodar

 

[CB900F]

BsChoy;

As to what to feed her, the question is: Do ya do, or do ya don't reload? If you do, you can do anything with that gun you pretty much want to. You can tailor make ammo for it & experiment till your heart's content. If you don't, your kinda tied to what some marketing weinie thinks you ought to shoot. And, you might just find yourself enjoying a whole 'nother facet of the shooting sports if you take up handloading.

Most Swede's like 140 grain bullets - a lot. VihtaVuori N160 is a pretty good powder to try first. Speer #13 and Hornady #6 have loads published using N160 & 140's.

Congratulations on your find!

900F

 

[BsChoy]

CB I do reload, but I don't feel like ordering Vihtavouri online. nobody has it locally. I was thinking R19 or 22 under 140 or 142 grain bullet. The nosler 142 comp has me thinking about it alot and its available in 250 round boxes. If not reloder I will probably use H4350.

 

[SNEAKY PETE]

Welcome to the club !

1st a question, then commentary. What year is stamped on the receiver? If it's earlier then "38 then it's a m-96/38--no big deal--I've got one ( an m-96/38) and it's great and I hunt with it. My other Swed is a gevar m-41/B Sniper (all origional as issued) which I hunt with and target shoot also. Except for some surplus Swedish ammo that i bought from Samco in Miami I have only shot my handloads. I believe in MOLY altho I know there are people that don't (David Tubb, many times over national long range champion uses moly). Both my Sweds have used IMR-4895 + 4064, Vagret, RL-19, But mostly VihtaVouri N-560. Viht. N500 series powders are a dual based powder that give you either equal velocity with less preasure or more velocity with equal preasure. For bullets I prefer Lapua Scenar silver(moly) in 108gr (short range 100>300yds), 123gr (100>600yds), 139gr (100>1000yds). I also use Hornady 140gr-A-Max moly. My real Favorite is the Lapua 123gr Scenar silver for either target or hunting . It is really fast and Very accurate without the barrel wear of the heavier bullets. All the 6.5s have really high B.C.s that help in shot placement. In the m-96/38 I generally reload using Winchester brass, But the m-41/B only gets Lapua brass. She's my Baby and I spoil her. You can get a "Loadbook" for the 6.5X55 Swedish from Midway USA that is helpful.