Swedish Mauser range report

[splattergun]

I took the GF's Swedish Mauser to the range today with a box of Federal 140 gr SP at 50 yds.

Dang, this is the 1st time I've shot iron sights on a high power rifle in years and my eyes are not what they used to be. Even then they weren't much. I wasn't able to get these rounds in as tight as I believe the gun is capable of. But still, I was able to get this old 6.5x55 in just under 2".

Time to buy the dies so I can afford to practice and find out just what this old war dog can do. I think that in time these couild be my 100 yd groups.

 

[johnnydollar]

Good shooting! I wish I'd hung on to my 1938 Swede (sigh). They are great guns; enjoy yours!

 

[wrench]

With a good handload, you should absolutely be able to do that at 100y. Swedes are capable of it, if we shooters are. I have a couple Swedes, that if I can't do under 2" at 100y, it's me having a bad day.

 

[NCsmitty]

Glad to see that you were able to get out and shoot the Swede. Perhaps you could try another brand of ammo like Prvi-Partizan, as the European brand cases often are a better fit to the original Swede chambering, and might be a bit more potent than the American made ammo, and maybe more accurate too. More brass for reloading is always good.
As you pile up the years, the eyes do get a bit fuzzy over iron sights.

NCsmitty

 

[dogsoldier0513]

I had an M38 Swede, made in 1941, all matching, etc..... The first 5 rounds through the gun were Hansen 139gr. FMJ. They went into 1.5-inches at 100 yards.

I later used my M38 as the basis for a custom build, keeping the original barrel, but having it shortened to 20-inches and the profille turned down on a lathe to that of a Winchester M70 Featherweight. Adding a Dayton-Traister speedlock kit and adjustiable trigger and Redfield 2-7X Tracker scope in Burris rings helped get my groups, when using Nosler 120gr. BallisticTips, IMR3031, CCI benchrest primers and match-prepped cases to 3/8ths of an inch (3-shot groups) at 100 yards when fired from sandbags. God, do I miss that rifle.....

 

[splattergun]

Windfall!

This Swede has all matching SNs except for the front stock ring. Everything else is original and is in better condition than I. This babe is staying the way she is. But I wouldn't mind a carefully built Swede.

The GF came by last night after raiding her Pop's ammo stash(es) and brought a box and a half of CBC FMJ (Brazilian made dated 1st quarter '90), some empty cases from said FMJs, and an old box(- 1 round) of Norma HP.

I guess those CBC are going to shoot well enough to give me some more brass. The Norma ought to give me better shooting AND better brass.

I'll also hit the LGS this weekend to see if they have any PPU