Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 questions

HShack · February 5, 2009, 06:35 PM

Hello, Forum; my first post.

I have a Carl Gustav, manf. approx 1910 ( the scope mounts are blocking the date) that I have sporterized. Cut barrel down to 22", removed step & tapered the barrel, counter-bored the muzzle, turned down the bolt, Timney trigger, Swenson safety, slimmed down stock, free floated barrel, glass bedded action, Redfield scope mounts, Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 scope, QD sling swivels, & some other stuff. The whole thing weighs right at 7.5 lbs.

I have heard that models subsequent to 1896 [such as mine] were made with better grades of steel & can therefore accept higher pressure loads. Opinions?

About 15 years ago, I developed some loads for this rifle which I used with good success on deer that seldom exceed 200 lbs. For a while I loaded 140 gr Nosler Partitions, 46 gr. IMR 4831, & win. LR primers. Approx. 1" groups @ 100 yds. Too much penetration & not enough POW! Changed to Sierra Game King 140 gr boat tail. Liked that much better. Also got 3/4" groups [usually].

Am now looking to do some longer, ie. mid-range shooting [ maybe out to 500 yds]. Just want to see what she'll do.

I have ordered some Hornaday 129 gr SST-IL bullets, Reloader 22 powder, & Win. LR primers. I have Hornaday cases. Also getting a Hornaday Rel. manual.

Am I correct in thinking that if I drop in bullet weight, ie. 140 to 129, I should be able to increase powder charge a little without increasing pressures?

VaFisher · February 5, 2009, 07:02 PM

In the Hornady book it will give you a starting and max load in the bullet you listed for the Swedish 6.5x55 caliper. I would not worry about getting an extra hundred feet out of this bullet, they do fine a lower pressures in this caliper.

Wildalaska · February 5, 2009, 07:05 PM

I duplicate swede M41 ball with 139 gr lapau scenar or 140 SMK, 40 grains RL22 and a 210M in Lapua cases seated out to 3.150

Wildshootssubmoainmy1910m41BAlaska ™

lonniemike · February 7, 2009, 12:28 AM

H, Yes, less bullet-more powder-hold pressure or more bullet-less powder-hold pressure is the essence of a reloading manual. Do you already have some reloading manuals(Nosler,IMR,etc)? If not, you can't have too many references sitting on a shelf. Hodgdon's Sierra, Lee come to mind quickly. Load data can be found at internet sites.

How much can these old actions take(?) can generate a bit of discussion. The 1894 Swede, 1896 Swede, and the 189?? Krag-Jorgenson(with a single bolt lug instead of two like the Swedes) all used 6.5X55 ammo rated at 43, 44, 45, 46KCUP. Pick any value you like.There are a number of testing systems. The Swedes were proofed to 67KCUP higher than some 1898's. People like to argue about trying to converting pressure systems, but 67KCUP would probably be near 80K psi in modern testing conditions. That said all of the 98action does have better gas venting in event of catastrophic failure, although no should want to hold any action while it undergos a failure. High pressure can be a bad thing. Hodgdon can show some narrow ranges from start to Max. For the Swede they show 140 grain bullets using Reloader 22 @46@2737fps & 49grains@2857fps in my old #26 Hodgdon Data Manual. Wild states that 40grains of RL22 should give mil ball velocities, that would be about 2600fps thru my chrony with my gun, Wild's or your gun or chrony may show differences or YMMV.

H, the old #26 does show your 140/46grain IMR loading as being one grain less than their max of 47 grains@ 2789fps(2600fps for 140milball). Hodgdon's web site currently shows that the IMR max for the 140 bullet is 46.3 grains@2700fps for IMR4381. They now own and produce the IMR series of powders. Also your bullets may not follow the stated book values for a number of reasons(YourMileageMayVary). Like some of my 140 Sierra's getting close to 2900fps with 46 grains of H4350. That was one grain over the old #26 Hodgdon's book max of 45@2708fps. Hodgdon's current site is showing the new max at 43.7@2650fps. When I worked up my loadings, 5 rounds over the Oehler said that 44@about 2800fps was my results. Again YMMV. My 22" barreled Swede sporter usually loses about 200-250fps to my longer M96's barrel. You'll probably be fine as long as you don't chase vels that a 264MAG would get with a 22" tube.best-o-luck

HShack · February 7, 2009, 10:45 AM

Thanks all for the great replies.

Just recieved all my reloading goodies & discovered I now need a powder scale, trickler, & bullet puller. On order. Oh well....... A chronograph may be in my future.

After consulting the Hornaday Manual #7, I have decided to load up some Hornaday 129 gr. SST IL, 44.5 gr.Rel22, Win LR primer, Frontier case. Looks like about 2600 fps out of my 22" bbl. Swede. This is about 2 grains shy of max. We'll see about accuracy.

Note: My new Lee collet die would would not form the case to hold the bullet tightly; had to polish the mandrel a good bit. Works OK now.

Wildalaska · February 7, 2009, 12:32 PM

You want to wring the most accuracy out of that swede, ditch the Lee and buy a Redding neck sizer

WildfoggythisamAlaska TM

HShack · February 7, 2009, 01:26 PM

"You want to wring the most accuracy out of that swede, ditch the Lee and buy a Redding neck sizer"

You know how it goes- try to save a buck & before you know it you coulda
bought the good stuff.

VaFisher · February 7, 2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

"You want to wring the most accuracy out of that swede, ditch the Lee and buy a Redding neck sizer"

You know how it goes- try to save a buck & before you know it you coulda
bought the good stuff.

It's a bear to purchase things twice when learning the hard way.

HShack · February 19, 2009, 10:51 PM

So, I've loaded up some Horn. 129 gr SST-IL bullets over 44.5 gr. RL22 w/ Win LR primers.

I have read some data that said to seat the bullet to the cannalure; that bullet was in the cartridge probably 1/2" or more(this is a boat-tail).

I pulled that bullet & seated the rest to 2.98" ,which is about 1/16" shy of the cannalure. I measured a Horn. 140 gr. factory load & it was 2.93". It too was seated just shy of the cannalure ( it's a spitzer).

Since I am loaded well shy of max, should I be concerned about the seated depth?

Wildalaska · February 19, 2009, 11:20 PM

Nope.

bet ya cant even touch the throat in that swede btw

WilddeepAlaska TM

February 5, 2009, 06:35 PM	#1
HShack Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 106	Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 questions Hello, Forum; my first post. I have a Carl Gustav, manf. approx 1910 ( the scope mounts are blocking the date) that I have sporterized. Cut barrel down to 22", removed step & tapered the barrel, counter-bored the muzzle, turned down the bolt, Timney trigger, Swenson safety, slimmed down stock, free floated barrel, glass bedded action, Redfield scope mounts, Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 scope, QD sling swivels, & some other stuff. The whole thing weighs right at 7.5 lbs. I have heard that models subsequent to 1896 [such as mine] were made with better grades of steel & can therefore accept higher pressure loads. Opinions? About 15 years ago, I developed some loads for this rifle which I used with good success on deer that seldom exceed 200 lbs. For a while I loaded 140 gr Nosler Partitions, 46 gr. IMR 4831, & win. LR primers. Approx. 1" groups @ 100 yds. Too much penetration & not enough POW! Changed to Sierra Game King 140 gr boat tail. Liked that much better. Also got 3/4" groups [usually]. Am now looking to do some longer, ie. mid-range shooting [ maybe out to 500 yds]. Just want to see what she'll do. I have ordered some Hornaday 129 gr SST-IL bullets, Reloader 22 powder, & Win. LR primers. I have Hornaday cases. Also getting a Hornaday Rel. manual. Am I correct in thinking that if I drop in bullet weight, ie. 140 to 129, I should be able to increase powder charge a little without increasing pressures? __________________ Shack

February 7, 2009, 10:45 AM	#5
HShack Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 106	Loading 6.5x55 Swede Thanks all for the great replies. Just recieved all my reloading goodies & discovered I now need a powder scale, trickler, & bullet puller. On order. Oh well....... A chronograph may be in my future. After consulting the Hornaday Manual #7, I have decided to load up some Hornaday 129 gr. SST IL, 44.5 gr.Rel22, Win LR primer, Frontier case. Looks like about 2600 fps out of my 22" bbl. Swede. This is about 2 grains shy of max. We'll see about accuracy. Note: My new Lee collet die would would not form the case to hold the bullet tightly; had to polish the mandrel a good bit. Works OK now. __________________ Shack

February 19, 2009, 10:51 PM	#9
HShack Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 106	6.5x55 COL ? So, I've loaded up some Horn. 129 gr SST-IL bullets over 44.5 gr. RL22 w/ Win LR primers. I have read some data that said to seat the bullet to the cannalure; that bullet was in the cartridge probably 1/2" or more(this is a boat-tail). I pulled that bullet & seated the rest to 2.98" ,which is about 1/16" shy of the cannalure. I measured a Horn. 140 gr. factory load & it was 2.93". It too was seated just shy of the cannalure ( it's a spitzer). Since I am loaded well shy of max, should I be concerned about the seated depth? __________________ Shack

February 5, 2009, 07:02 PM	#2
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	In the Hornady book it will give you a starting and max load in the bullet you listed for the Swedish 6.5x55 caliper. I would not worry about getting an extra hundred feet out of this bullet, they do fine a lower pressures in this caliper.

February 5, 2009, 07:05 PM	#3
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	I duplicate swede M41 ball with 139 gr lapau scenar or 140 SMK, 40 grains RL22 and a 210M in Lapua cases seated out to 3.150 Wildshootssubmoainmy1910m41BAlaska ™

February 7, 2009, 12:28 AM	#4
lonniemike Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2005 Posts: 138	H, Yes, less bullet-more powder-hold pressure or more bullet-less powder-hold pressure is the essence of a reloading manual. Do you already have some reloading manuals(Nosler,IMR,etc)? If not, you can't have too many references sitting on a shelf. Hodgdon's Sierra, Lee come to mind quickly. Load data can be found at internet sites. How much can these old actions take(?) can generate a bit of discussion. The 1894 Swede, 1896 Swede, and the 189?? Krag-Jorgenson(with a single bolt lug instead of two like the Swedes) all used 6.5X55 ammo rated at 43, 44, 45, 46KCUP. Pick any value you like.There are a number of testing systems. The Swedes were proofed to 67KCUP higher than some 1898's. People like to argue about trying to converting pressure systems, but 67KCUP would probably be near 80K psi in modern testing conditions. That said all of the 98action does have better gas venting in event of catastrophic failure, although no should want to hold any action while it undergos a failure. High pressure can be a bad thing. Hodgdon can show some narrow ranges from start to Max. For the Swede they show 140 grain bullets using Reloader 22 @46@2737fps & 49grains@2857fps in my old #26 Hodgdon Data Manual. Wild states that 40grains of RL22 should give mil ball velocities, that would be about 2600fps thru my chrony with my gun, Wild's or your gun or chrony may show differences or YMMV. H, the old #26 does show your 140/46grain IMR loading as being one grain less than their max of 47 grains@ 2789fps(2600fps for 140milball). Hodgdon's web site currently shows that the IMR max for the 140 bullet is 46.3 grains@2700fps for IMR4381. They now own and produce the IMR series of powders. Also your bullets may not follow the stated book values for a number of reasons(YourMileageMayVary). Like some of my 140 Sierra's getting close to 2900fps with 46 grains of H4350. That was one grain over the old #26 Hodgdon's book max of 45@2708fps. Hodgdon's current site is showing the new max at 43.7@2650fps. When I worked up my loadings, 5 rounds over the Oehler said that 44@about 2800fps was my results. Again YMMV. My 22" barreled Swede sporter usually loses about 200-250fps to my longer M96's barrel. You'll probably be fine as long as you don't chase vels that a 264MAG would get with a 22" tube.best-o-luck

February 7, 2009, 12:32 PM	#6
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	You want to wring the most accuracy out of that swede, ditch the Lee and buy a Redding neck sizer WildfoggythisamAlaska TM

February 7, 2009, 01:26 PM	#7
HShack Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 106	Loading 6.5x55 "You want to wring the most accuracy out of that swede, ditch the Lee and buy a Redding neck sizer" You know how it goes- try to save a buck & before you know it you coulda bought the good stuff. __________________ Shack

February 19, 2009, 11:20 PM	#10
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Nope. bet ya cant even touch the throat in that swede btw WilddeepAlaska TM