Chasing my tail? 6.5x55

[Pyscodog]

I bought a little 98 FN Mauser that's been sporterized. No idea of barrel maker or round count but it doesn't resemble a military barrel. Accuracy is just MEH! The throat is very long and I have no bore scope to figure out if its a long throat or shot out barrel?? Using a modified case, I can barely touch the lands with a 130 grain tipped bullet. My method is case length+bullet length- bullet diameter and I'm still .066 off the lands. I can't help but think this may be the problem with accuracy. It usually throws one round out of the group with a three shot string. Might be the first shot, might be the second or third. I've tried different weight bullets and different powders and charge weights but get similar results. All not very good. But I am a little snobbish about accuracy.

Plan A: If the barrel is good, have it set back and see if that helps.

Plan B: replace the barrel.

If I didn't have more in it than its worth and didn't like it so much, I'd just send it down the road. Problem is I like the rifle and think it would be a great hunting rifle. Am I missing something? If so, I'm very open for suggestions. I have several compatible powders aside from any Reloader brand. There is none on the shelves anywhere I have looked.

Thanks-Bill

 

[Pyscodog]

I just had the barrel scoped and according to him, everything looked fine aside from just a minor amount of copper. The copper is my fault because I didn't give it a good cleaning after my last range trip.

I did buy a box of Sierra 120 grain Pro Hunters. They have a flat base and will allow me to seat a little longer OAL and still have some bullet in the neck.

 

[DocBII]

Psycodog,

Using 48gr. of N-165 with any 130gr. bullet at pretty much any length was very accurate in all the 6.5x55s I've tried it in.

YMMY,
DocBII

 

[Kurz]

Much of the Swede’s hunting success has been attributed to long bullets at modest velocity, and I have to agree. That’s a good combination for deep penetration. Europeans still use 6.5x55mm ammo on big game, loaded with bullets weighing between roughly 155 to 160 grains. The 140-grain loads are the most common in the United States, and factory velocities run from about 2,550 to 2,735 fps.

For U.S. hunters the 140-grain bullet is the all-around weight for the 6.5 Swede. Its sectional density of 0.287 matches a 160-grain 7mm bullet and exceeds that of a 180-grain .30-caliber bullet. The high-tech construction of many new bullet styles means today’s 140-grainers typically out-penetrate the heavier conventional 6.5mm bullets popular with our European counterparts seeking larger game.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/65-55-swedish-mauser-rifle-ammo/359233

You might benefit from having your chamber cast so you get to see the entire chamber which a bore scope doesn't show. Then try a heavier bullet as suggested above.

 

[shortgrass]

If the chamber was cut by the C.I.P. standard, it's gonna' be long. Military 6.5 x 55 has a long throat.

 

[shortgrass]

When I bought my 6.5 x 55 reamer from Manson , I sent a dummy with a 140g Sierra Game King seated with bearing surface @ the neck/shoulder junction. Military surplus ammo won't chamber, the throat is too short for military.

 

[358WCF]

My 20" BSA 6.5x55 has a loooong throat. Long mag but still cant touch with any bullets still having the base in the case. It shoots 140s & 160s pretty well. Good hunting accuracy... around 1"+/- for 5 shots @ 100 yds. It ain't a target rifle. My best loads are H4350 with 140 Partitions @ c.2600fps or a 100fps faster with RL26 & 140 SSTs. IMR7828SCC is doing well with 160s at c.2500fps. About 50fps more with RL26. I can hit 6" steel regularly at 300 with the 160 Sierra SMP. The 2-7x scope may be a limiting factor for the misses.

It sounds like you might do better with longer bullets, 130s are for Scudmores.

 

[Pyscodog]

I have a feeling your spot on Shortgrass.

 

[ben-o]

I have a 6.5x55 with a longish throat, which makes sense considering the long bullets that have been historically used. But I’m seating 100gr Barnes TTSX about .175” off the rifling, and still getting really good accuracy. Have you considered twist rate vs. bullet weight/length?

For a hunting rifle, I wouldn’t expect the throat length alone to be the problem. Plenty of rifles don’t allow loading to the lands due magazine length or other factors, but still shoot just fine.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

That is an advantage using lead-free bullets, they tend to like a long jump. Useful for long throated barrels.

 

[Pyscodog]

I tried 100gr Barnes TTSX and it didn't seem to like them but I only had a few left in the box so it wasn't a good example. I think I'll keep playing with it and if I can't get decent accuracy it may well be my winter project and be wearing a new barrel come spring. The barrel on it now is 20" and I wouldn't mind a little longer barrel even though its nice and handy with the shorter barrel.

 

[Pyscodog]

I loaded 15 rounds with Varget and 120 grain Pro Hunters. I started with 35 grains and worked up to 39 grains, 3 of each. The 35,36,37 grain were typical groups hovering around 1 1/4 inch 3 shot groups at 100yds. When I got to 38 grains it shot a nice 1/2-5/8 inch group. So I loaded 12 more of the 38 grain. (By the way, the 39 grain loads opened back up.) The first 3 @ 38grains was a nice 5/8" group. I let it cool and shot 3 more. I had 2 together and it threw the 3rd. Might have been me. The next 3 was just a ragged hole and the last 3 was still under an inch. Needless to say, I was very pleased but my bullets only have .264 in the neck. This bothers me and being this rifle will only be a hunting rifle and occasional paper puncher, I'd sure like a little more bullet in the neck. I've considered setting the barrel back to shorten the lead but don't want to do this if my smith uses the same dimension reamer that cut this chamber. I know this sounds confusing as my smith didn't build this rifle but could possibly have the same type of reamer. Or, should I just leave it alone???

 

[shortgrass]

Because it is a Mauser, set back means cutting the threads off as it most likely has a 'relief cut' at the shoulder. (thread length is .625 + or -). Unless the gunsmith had the reamer special made, with a shorter throat, it'll have the C.I.P throat length.

 

[Pyscodog]

Because it is a Mauser, set back means cutting the threads off as it most likely has a 'relief cut' at the shoulder. (thread length is .625 + or -). Unless the gunsmith had the reamer special made, with a shorter throat, it'll have the C.I.P throat length.

That's what I don't want.

 

[Toms]

That's what I don't want.

A friend had one like yours with super long throat. It shot Sierra 160 gr8 round nose into under 1" groups. That what they were made for. Good luck with your Mauser. Tom

 

[joshb]

I bought an old M38 Swede, maybe 7-8 years ago. I made up some loads for it using some Hornady 120 grain bullets and had it shooting into an inchish. Last year I loaded up the same loads with Sierra 120s and got 4-6 inch groups. I’ll look for the original target pic…….found it…Try this load?

 

[mac86951]

What's the crown like? Possible you need to lose about 1/2" at the muzzle and re-crown this section can and will wear too. Sights add a challenge of course.

 

[Pyscodog]

38 grains of Varget shot really well. If I do my part it will shoot an inch and sometimes better. My main issue is the OAL. My bullets are only in the case the diameter of the bullet. IIRC, COAL is 3.070. They feed from the mag but the last round usually hangs up. I think recoil moves it forward and causes it to bind on the mag box. I want to try seating a little deeper and see if accuracy stays and the "Hang up" goes away.

I talked to a friend who recently had a Swede built and his smith has a reamer with a shorter lead. He said it was cut for 139 grain bullets. My next issue is do I just set this barrel back and have the chamber cut with the shorter reamer of buy a Wilson barrel and have him chamber it? Being a Mauser, I don't want to get more into it than I could ever hope to get out of it if I decided to sell it later down the road. Mauser's aren't big sellers around here even if they are nice.

 

[Pyscodog]

What's the crown like? Possible you need to lose about 1/2" at the muzzle and re-crown this section can and will wear too. Sights add a challenge of course.

Rifle is scoped, no sights. The crown s recessed and looks pretty good. Its an aftermarket barrel and only markings are the caliber. Head space is right on the money as well.

 

[Pyscodog]

I was getting sub 1" groups and sometimes better with my COAL at 3.070, but hated the bullet hanging so far out of the case. I loaded some at 3.00 today which put the bullet base almost to the neck, shoulder junction. Accuracy stayed the same. I decided to just leave well enough alone. Its not a bench rifle and sub 1" groups will work just fine. Thanks to all for the helpful comments.