96 Swedish Mauser for a Games Match

[Allen Humphrey]

Each fall I run a CMP games match where all proceeds go to our local chapter of Honor Flight. The charity connection drives some additional participation. I added an F Class twist this year by running the Games match the Saturday afternoon before a Sunday morning F class match. Often the F guys come the day before and camp, so Hoping those guys catch the spirit and join in. First Sat/Sunday (6,7)of September in Spokane.

I’ll shoot a 1920 Swedish.

 

[ogre1911]

My ABSOLUTE favorite thing to shoot

 

[rfwind]

If you hold hard with the Swede you may be rewarded with CMP gold

 

[danny]

Each fall I run a CMP games match where all proceeds go to our local chapter of Honor Flight. The charity connection drives some additional participation. I added an F Class twist this year by running the Games match the Saturday afternoon before a Sunday morning F class match. Often the F guys come the day before and camp, so Hoping those guys catch the spirit and join in. First Sat/Sunday (6,7)of September in Spokane.

I’ll shoot a 1920 Swedish. View attachment 1689913

I'm pretty sure that you'll only get Highpower Rifle shooters and none of those F Class guys.

Danny

 

[Laurie]

I owned a service-match M1896 for years late last century. I can only reckon it was built by some Swedish unit armourer for their equivalent of Service Rifle competition as the Carl Gustaf 1907 dated receiver was one of the 'spares' the Swedes made each year according to Joe Poyer's book and not used for a new-build at the time. It had a turned-down bolt-handle and grasping knob that didn't match the sniper rifle or other variants' listed diameters and what looked like a slightly heavy barrel. It had been drilled and tapped for match aperture sights which had obviously been fitted previously from the marks on the receiver finish, and I was lucky enough to find another Soderin match aperture assembly at a good price.

With handloads, it was amazing just how well this rifle shot out to 600 yards. I won a fair few medals in the service match/sniper rifle class in UK Historic Breechloading Smallarms Association regional events, and it would hold its own against 7.62 'Target Rifle' shooters in 300 yards comps. (I wouldn't expect that today given the steady improvement in TR/Palma rifles and ammunition since then. But, even so ........ )

 

[Allen Humphrey]

At least one local F guy is bringing some other Mauser mountain gun variant and another guy usually brings a Garand or Enfield. I told the rest of them that they could even shoot their F class rifles but that they had to take at least one shot from standing with it .

While still a sanctioned CMP match, I’ll create an “out of competition” category for just about anything you bring in support of the charity.

Regarding my 96,I don’t shoot it much, but it seems quite capable. Last time I had it out I recall struggling with the sight picture since I’m more accustomed to a rear peep.

 

[jcarpen]

Great choice. They are unbelievably accurate for a 135 year old gun. An improved .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Allen Humphrey]

Time for a match report:

Nine shooters came for our match and we were able to raise $200 for Our local chapter of Honor Flight between match entries and a few donations! There were M1’s, K31’s, SMLE’s, Swede’s, and AR’s on the line.

One competitor is a full time F Class guy and member here, and he represented quite well, shooting a decidedly non-F-class M1 Garand. Two more guys are frequent F shooters, but have competed in XTC as well, so good on all of them!

Regarding my Swede: Due to my recent work schedule and personal commitments, I didn’t even dry fire it prior to the match, so when I slung up for prone, I suddenly remembered how long the M96 is, particularly the length of pull at 14.25”. It felt like I could barely reach the trigger with my T-Rex arms! Then I discovered that my windage zero was 3MOA left, so I was holding the left corner of the post at the 6 O’clock position. Regardless, the rifle proved it can still shoot as I started with an 8, then a 9, as I figured out my hold, and finished the string with 10’s and X’s for a 97. Rapid was a 95. Offhand was a real struggle as I was pulling the rifle back hard so I could reach the trigger, and the absence of sling pressure moved my zero again, but finished with 80. Great fun to say the least.

 

[ptf18]

Great rifle to use in the "Vintage Class". I've got several of them that I use

 

[Herzo]

Shooting a new rifle I see...........mine was built in 1899 and still on the range

 

[jcarpen]

Yeah a 1920 is a late model for a 96. Good shooting.