6.5mm bullets stable in a barrel with a 8.66 twist?

[ptf18]

I have a Swedish m96 in 6.5x55 with a L-W barrel.

The twist is 1 to 8.66.

I know that the "usual" bullet used in this cartridge/rifle is the 140gn one BUT Im wondering if this weight (length) is actually abit toooo long to stablize at distance (600 yds).

Average velocity of the 140gn loads is approximately 2600 fps

Perhaps I should try a "shorter" (lighter) bullet.

Thoughts?

ptf18

 

[terryperkins]

The 8.66 twist barrel will "marginally" stabilize 140 grain bullets at 600 ASL. The higher the elevation the better the stability factor. Not that they won't shoot great, but the lower you go, and the colder it is, not good. The 130 grain bullets will be fully stabilized at all elevations. I pulled this info from the Berger website.

 

[2506]

You will be fine with 140 out of a Swede. That twist was for the original 160 gr RN bullet so 140s work great. I have shot my 96 Swedes out to right at 1000 yards with 140 Sierra Match Kings with great accuracy. With the 29" barrel on the 96 Swede you can safely load it to push 140s a touch over 2800 fps and stay under 46000 CUP with 45 grs Accurate 4350 according to the Accurate manual. I have shot this load lots as a deer hunting load out of a sported 96 Swede.

 

[terryperkins]

Original Swedish Mauser barrels were made with a 1 in 7.8" twist to handle the 156 grain bullet.