6.5mm x 55mm Swedish Mauser Question

G

goffer@earthlink.net

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I have procured a Carl Gustav 1906 6.5 x 55 Carbine (18 inch barrell, adj peep William sight) sporterized.

I bought two boxes of ammo to test fire, one made by WOLF in 139 grain bullet touted to leave the muzzle at 2500 fps p/m 150 fps manufactured I believe in Russia. The other box same bullet weight and comparable muzzle velocity manufactured in Serbia.

Then after the fact I read a descripiton in my Lyman Handloading manual that advised older 6.5 Swedes military rifles and carbines had a modest chamber pressure maximum of around 46,000 CUP. Also that some bores were tighter than others in manufacturing processes and could increase pressure if the bore diameter (I assume they mean from land to land reading??) is less than bullet in cartridge, again I assume the 140 grain bullets are .264 inch dia.

Now guessing from data listed in Lymans, Speer newer version and one in an older version I think the ammo I bought will be within maximum pressure assummed to be 46000psi but I am not sure.

So my question to the Rifle Gurus of Swede 6.5 users is (1) have they a comparable rifle that I have and (2) do they use foriegn ammo with success in the bullet weight of 140 grains being pushed out to 2500 fps from a 24 inch barrell? If so I sure would like to hear about their experience and any advice concerning factory loads for this rifle.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I had a 1907 gun of exact description - I used 3031 and Sierra 120 bullets and got great accuracy with moderate pressures - great load
 
Goffer, Your Serbian ammo will probably have a headstamp showing as nny. I used plenty in a few Swedes. I've never used Wolf but it is supposed to be repacked Serbian stuff. Both should be okay in your rifle. The 2500fps stated on the box is the speed the ammo should attain in the long barrelled M-96 with an approx 29" tube. The 139grn Swede mil surplus goes approx 2600fps in the 29" tube. Your 18"tube will be quite a bit slower, maybe by 200-300fps. I think that 42,000psi is a little low, 46,000 (46KCUP) and 44,000 are the numbers that are usually given as the working pressures for the Swedes. Your two ammo types or any other commercial US manufactured ammo will be at 46KCUP or less. Norma, RWS, Lapua, and maybe others can load some ammo to 50KCUP. Some reloaders want to use a "modern action" or the old Swede action to push the 6.5X55 to 264WinMag levels, which is way past 50KCUP(not recommended). .264" is the correct bullet dia. Do you own or have use of a chrono? If I got anywhere near 2500fps in an 18" tube, I would want to rethink about what I was shooting.

?p/m 150fps? I don't have a clue what that may mean. best-o-luck
 
Mine is a Carl Gustav Model 1896 Mauser rifle built in 1905 with a barrel length of about 27". I have shot many boxes of factory ammo through it, mostly PMC. The ammo makers know to keep pressures down due to these older guns still being out there and in use. I think the high end of most loads is around 2600 fps. They don't want you to sue them for making hot loads that blow the gun up in your face. You should be OK shooting factory ammo.

The 6.5 mm has pretty good external ballistics and should be good to take deer out to at least 200 yds if the rifle and shooter are up to snuff. The lowest rear sight setting on my rifle is 300 meters and the top of the ladder when flipped up is 2000 meters. Of course, back then it was used for volley fire at mounted troops or troop formations. With the tiny rear V notch and front blade there is no way I could properly sight a target two clicks away. Then again, most soldiers are a lot younger with good eyesight...
 
Thanks for the responses

Yes, Lyman says 46000 CUP for the Swede.

Meant 2500 plus or minus 150 fps from listed ballistic IMO.

Thank for the insight and your experienced replies.
 
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