Swedish mauser question

[wulfhart]

My father has a Swedish Mauser from WWII.
It is nearly identical to this guy: sights, groove and all. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Swedish_Mauser_65_right.jpg

He told me that he had a hard time finding ammo, but was able to load it with the Japanese 6.5mm ammo. After some research the Japanese had 6.5x50mm, but Swedish Mausers were using 6.5x55mm. From wikipedia and their measurements it looks like a 6.5x50 will fit into a 6.5x55 chamber as it is slightly smaller.

I have 2 questions.
1. I am wondering what damage may have happened since there is a good chance the rifle has been shooting the wrong ammunition the past 40 years.

2. Could I be completely mistaken about what this rifle is? Is there a very similar rifle to the swedish mauser that does fire the Japanese round. It isn't a Arisaka. (No Japanese markings and the bolt is definitely swedish.)

 

[MachIVshooter]

Firing 6.5 Arisaka in a 6.5x55 chamber would likely result in a blown out case or head separation. Not likely to damage the rifle, but could be dangerous for the shooter. The 6.5x50mm case is more than a little smaller. Don't do it.

To the best of my knowledge, there was never a production mauser chambered in 6.5 Arisaka.

These days, 6.5x55 is much easier to find than 6.5x50 Arisaka. It is comercially loaded by a number of manufacturers. I believe 6.5x50 is only available as loaded ammo from Norma and Buffalo arms co.

 

[Old Shooter]

Not likely to damage the rifle, but could be dangerous for the shooter.

Count your blessings and round up some 6.5x55 for that Swede.

They are a fun gun to shoot and mine is very accurate with it's iron sights. Most gun shops I go to have the ammo on the shelf, I don't know about Gander Mtn and Cabellas.

 

[wulfhart]

Thank you. I will get a better look at it when I have a chance to visit. I will pass this on to my father, and let him know that he may have the wrong ammo. I was a little confused when he told me that it shot Japanese ammo.

 

[Jim K]

It might be better to post pics or describe the markings, as "nearly identical" might not be good enough when ammunition and safety are involved.

Jim