New Novice Info. (6.5 Swedish Mauser)

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Hello, Iam new to the site and looking for some info. Iam building a gun for my daughter and looking for a little help. I have a Carl Gustaf 1915 model m/94 carbine in Swedish 6.5x55 cal. I am looking for the best caliber to re-barrel this mauser action in to be a solid sporter/shooter in a 24" +/- barrel. I know that this is not a high dollar gun but it has a great sentimental value as it was my fathers gun and I want to do this as a gift to her. I have kicked around several choices .243, 6mm, .257 Roberts etc. I would like a caliber that performs well and ammo that is easy to find. any help on this would be great.... Thanks Page

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Moving this to rifles...

6.5x55 is a good caliber on its own. Excellent deer/pronghorn rifle.

 

[Zor]

If you reload 257 Roberts or 257 Roberts improved. I'm looking for a swede action right now to do this very thing to and that's the cartridge that I'm going to build it to.

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?magid=7&tocid=38

 

[page]

Thanks Zor,
If I don't reload is the .257 common over the counter ammo?

 

[Gunnerboy]

cant beat 6.5x55 for kids my younger sister shoots mine and never whines about recoil or muzzle blast.

 

[Zeke/PA]

The 6.5 Swede is a great cartridge to start with and ammo is available.

 

[page]

Thanks for the link. Good info.

 

[Vaarok]

If it's a un-modified Swedish M94 it's probably much more valuable in the original configuration. Further, it's not exactly a model best suited to conversions- possible but not economic. And then there's the not-broke don't-fix. 6.5x55 will kill most anything quite neatly.

 

[Coltdriver]

Your going to trash an M94? Or is it already modified??

A decent M94 goes for 800 up.

 

[Kachok]

Of all the rifles I have hunted with my 6.5x55 is my favorite rifle for deer, it puts them down as quick as anything, and the recoil is so light you can watch your bullet hit through the scope If you handload the old Sweed really shines.

 

[Finprof]

If you want a cartridge that performs well and is easy to find the 6.5x55 fits the bill. It kicks like a .243 and kills like a 30/06. There is a lot of European ammo available, but Federal, Remington and Winchester all sell ammo. I use Lapua because the brass is better than anything from domestic manufacturers. There is probably no practical difference between a .257 Roberts and a 6.5x55, but the Swede ammo is cheaper and easier to find.
I re-barreled a Remington 700 to get one of my 6.5x55s.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, page.

I'm not one to tell anyone what to do with their firearm, but as Vaarok mentioned, an original Swedish carbine is a desirable firearm and is capable of high dollar value these days. IMO, the 6.5x55 round is superior to the 243, especially for heavier game like deer. It is a beautifully designed cartridge.

Whatever path you choose, I'm sure your little girl will appreciate your gift.
Keep us posted.


NCsmitty

 

[Owen Sparks]

Is the barrel rusted or something? Why would you want to change something so excelent unless it was damaged? Mine was made in 1907 and will HIT A DIME at 100 yards off sandbags. You would be hard pressed to find a modern off the shelf rifle that will do that.
With proper bullets the 6.5x55 will take any game animal in the lower 48 states. In this case it is probably best to leave well enough alone.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm going to echo what others have said. Keep it a 6.5x55. The little round has lethality disproportionate to it's size, and is easy on the shoulder. Not extremely common ammo, but not impossible to find either. Most of the real gun shops in my area stock a box or three. I handload, though, so it doesn't matter.

Also, pay attention to what has been said about it's value. If it's in decent, original condition, I'd go in search of another gun, whether it be a more modern used rifle or, if you really want to build, a less valuable milsurp. You can pick up Spanish mausers for a couple hundred bucks, and the 7x57mm is another timeless and very capable cartridge with gentle recoil.

My M96 6.5x55 and M93 7x57 are my two favorite milsurps, even above my M1903.

 

[Float Pilot]

If it is a half-way nice m/94 carbine, there is a special corner in hell for those who butcher and bubba them...

 

[whalerman]

My 6.5 Swedish is one of my favorite rifles. Don't change anything.

 

[hang fire]

Every year in Sweden and Norway, the 6.5x55 kills more elk (AKA over here as moose) than any other cartridge.

The long sectional density of the bullet make for a deep penetrating killer at moderate speed and recoil.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=53&....osb&fp=935a0bef009a2890&biw=960&bih=465&bs=1

 

[hang fire]

I too like my deadly accurate Swede Husky 6.5x55 Mauser, the rather slow moving bullet always surprises me with the inpact it has over long distances.

 

[Abel]

When yall say its a high dollar gun in original configuration, what kinda bucks are you talkin'??

 

[page]

Thank you all for the input. The blue book on this gun shows a value of only $120.00 am I missing something on that? My Father cut the fore arm off and I would think that would trash some of the value. He bought this gun at Montgomery Wards for $18.00 in 1959 so I wanted to do something with it as it was always something he wanted to do. I want and value your opinion's ....... Thanks Page

 

[valnar]

Given the choice between 6.5x55 and .257 Roberts, I'd rather have 6.5.x55. 'Not sure why you'd want to change it.

 

[Float Pilot]

hank you all for the input. The blue book on this gun shows a value of only $120.00 am I missing something on that? My Father cut the fore arm off and I would think that would trash some of the value.

1. the blue book is seldom correct. An original condition m/94 carbine or the more common m/94-14 (Bayonet lug modification) modified carbines go for anywhere between $600 to $900 these days. A Fortress / engineer carbine for a $1,500 to $2,000 and an original School carbine for about anything you can get...

2. Your father ruined the collector value when he whacked off the stock... A replacement military carbine stock cost well over $200 when & if you can find one.

One option would be to install a nice Mannlicher style sporter stock and a slim-line scope. In 6.5x55 Swede that would make a perfect forest carbine.

 

[page]

I think you hit it on the head, my Dad didn't think anything about the re-sale value when he cut the wood. I also noticed that this gun had a piece of top wood in some of the pictures that have peen posted, that is missing as well. I wish it hadn't been altered at all but I got it this way. I decided to keep it in the 6.5 x 55 it is the right thing to do. After reading all your input this is a perfect cal. for what I am trying to acomplish. I appreciate all of your help on this ...... Thanks Page

 

[303tom]

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/

 

[Float Pilot]

My dad also had the bad habit of cutting up collectable milsurps. Or do weird things like chrome plating a nearly mint condition 1911 (1920s vintage) commercial model 45.
We used to have a Springfield model 1922M1 made in 1926 that we used for shooting spruce hens. It was in mint condition and would be worth lots right now (well over $1,200).. But he traded it off to somebody for $100.