Reloading 6.5x55 Husqvarna Mauser

[nakneker]

I’m reloading for a custom 6.5x55 built on a Husqvarna action. I’m not a Mauser expert, I think there are small ring and large ring Mausers and this looks like large ring to me. I know there’s been many different manufacturers of Mauser actions and some have softer steel. Most reloading manuals warn about loading on the upper end of the spectrum when your loading for these old actions. Anybody know where Husqvarna sits as far strength of the action and reloading. I’m gonna load on the conservative side regardless but I’m curious. I do know the gunsmith that built and plan on placing a call to him tomorrow. Any Info or opinion appreciated. Scope is not staying, I’ll get something more appropriate for this rifle on it. Either an old Burris or a Lyman perma center fixed power.

 

[joshb]

I love those old Swedes! I own four or 5. I’d have to look at my list. All my research says they were made with a better steel than “normal” Mausers, as required by the Swedish government. Given that, I still don’t run mine hard. I use H100V in mine. Around 37-38 grains with a 120 grain bullet.

 

[Canuckenstein]

I’m reloading for a custom 6.5x55 built on a Husqvarna action. I’m not a Mauser expert, I think there are small ring and large ring Mausers and this looks like large ring to me. I know there’s been many different manufacturers of Mauser actions and some have softer steel. Most reloading manuals warn about loading on the upper end of the spectrum when your loading for these old actions. Anybody know where Husqvarna sits as far strength of the action and reloading. I’m gonna load on the conservative side regardless but I’m curious. I do know the gunsmith that built and plan on placing a call to him tomorrow. Any Info or opinion appreciated.

Okay I have 20 m41 Prickskytte Rounds. I am doing all the measurements as we speak. Just hold tight and I will publish what I have recorded.

Working six ten hour shifts for the next 4 months so I will do what I can when I can.

 

[pintopete]

Sure looks like a small ring Swede. Excellent rifles, just be aware of its design limitations. What barrel is on it? Nothing wrong with an original military barrel if in good condition. What are you planning to do with it?

 

[joshb]

I found this old thread. Good read. Search here for it.

Reloading for a CG 63 Mauser​

 

[nakneker]

Sure looks like a small ring Swede. Excellent rifles, just be aware of its design limitations. What barrel is on it? Nothing wrong with an original military barrel if in good condition. What are you planning to do with it?

I believe this is wearing a douglas premium or a PacNor, I’m gonna call the gunsmith tomorrow. He made a few rifles for me years ago and is still going strong, shouldn’t be hard to confirm. The scope has already been removed and an old Burris will take its place.

 

[JumboSammich]

Got to love the 6.5x55,around a hundred plus years before 6.5 was cool.

 

[Nicklas]

Just limit your loads to 43500 psi and you'll be safe. That's what they are proof tested to handle.

 

[mikeinct]

I can't tell the age of yours from the pics. I bought one really old one for my wife in 30-06. Very light weight about 6 lbs. & shoots well. only upgrade was a Timney trigger. That action handles factory 150 grain standard & 125 grain [reduced recoil] loads very nicely. best of luck with yours. mike in ct

 

[SBS]

This is a small ring military Swede of the 94/96 design. While they were pretty tough, they are case hardened carbon steel and not of modern CM steel which is hardened throughout. Be safe and use the loading info. designated for the military Swedes.

 

[Kurz]

 

[SBS]

I can't tell the age of yours from the pics. I bought one really old one for my wife in 30-06. Very light weight about 6 lbs. View attachment 1362671View attachment 1362672 & shoots well. only upgrade was a Timney trigger. That action handles factory 150 grain standard & 125 grain [reduced recoil] loads very nicely. best of luck with yours. mike in ct

This is a postwar commercial model. Early ones were large ring (actually using FN actions) and later small ring (Swedish mfg.) designated the HVA action. Looks to be the HVA, but can't see enough detail. Both were available in .30-06 and were stronger actions than the military 94/96 design, being based on the 98 and made of modern steel.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I’m reloading for a custom 6.5x55 built on a Husqvarna action. I’m not a Mauser expert, I think there are small ring and large ring Mausers and this looks like large ring to me. I know there’s been many different manufacturers of Mauser actions and some have softer steel. Most reloading manuals warn about loading on the upper end of the spectrum when your loading for these old actions. Anybody know where Husqvarna sits as far strength of the action and reloading. I’m gonna load on the conservative side regardless but I’m curious. I do know the gunsmith that built and plan on placing a call to him tomorrow. Any Info or opinion appreciated. Scope is not staying, I’ll get something more appropriate for this rifle on it. Either an old Burris or a Lyman perma center fixed power.

Your rifle is a small ring model 96, Nothing to worry about with the quality, These are the very best of all small rings, They don't have the same provisions for escaping gas from a case head failure, So follow loading manuals that used a model 96 to get the data they published, Great rifles, I have several, Enjoy it!

 

[Sniperhandle]

I know the ones I have trued and drilled and tapped were harder than "Woodpecker Lips"

 

[Sniperhandle]

Nakneker, One easy way to tell a small ring from a large ring is whether or not it cocks on opening, A 98 Mauser will cock as the bolt is lifted open, If you have to apply pressure when closing the bolt to set the cocking piece/sear then it's a small ring Mauser. This isn't always a failsafe way of checking as some of these small rings have been converted to cock on opening.

 

[SBS]

Nakneker, One easy way to tell a small ring from a large ring is whether or not it cocks on opening, A 98 Mauser will cock as the bolt is lifted open, If you have to apply pressure when closing the bolt to set the cocking piece/sear then it's a small ring Mauser. This isn't always a failsafe way of checking as some of these small rings have been converted to cock on opening.

Simpler way to determine. A large ring is just that -- the front receiver ring is larger in diameter than the rest of the receiver. It is stepped up in diameter just in front of the loading/ejection port. A small ring Mauser has a front receiver ring the same size as the rest of the receiver.

 

[DHall_37]

Simpler way to determine. A large ring is just that -- the front receiver ring is larger in diameter than the rest of the receiver. It is stepped up in diameter just in front of the loading/ejection port. A small ring Mauser has a front receiver ring the same size as the rest of the receiver.

True, however there are some Mausers, mostly the Turkish ones which a large ring is built with a small shank barrel like the Swede and Spanish rifles use. I have a couple Turk barrels and they thread right into a 1916 or 1893 Spanish Mauser receiver.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I can't tell the age of yours from the pics. I bought one really old one for my wife in 30-06. Very light weight about 6 lbs. View attachment 1362671View attachment 1362672 & shoots well. only upgrade was a Timney trigger. That action handles factory 150 grain standard & 125 grain [reduced recoil] loads very nicely. best of luck with yours. mike in ct

SBS, That's true, But I bet you didn't know that this rifle of Mike's that he posted is a Large ring Husqvarna in every way except the front ring is the same diameter as a small ring, And the Bolt release is of their own design. So measuring the ring doesn't always tell you either.

Dhall_37, Yes I have rebarreled Turkish Mausers, That are large ring diameter front rings, But the internal threads are small ring thread diameter.

I have also re-barreled the Husqvarna's Like shown in the picture. These are known as the HVA.

The whole thing we were trying to determine here is whether or not Naknekers mauser was Large or small ring. It's clearly marked Husqvarna on the front ring, So we know it's not Turkish. I could tell by looking at the bolt and cocking peice it was a small ring, But I was trying to make it easy for him.

 

[SBS]

SBS, That's true, But I bet you didn't know that this rifle of Mike's that he posted is a Large ring Husqvarna in every way except the front ring is the same diameter as a small ring, And the Bolt release is of their own design. So measuring the ring doesn't always tell you either.

I've owned and barreled a lot of HVA's, so I know the difference. They are small ring 98s, just like the G33-40, 1933 Brno and a few others. Large ring means it has a large front ring and small ring means it has a small front ring. The type or model number is different. So we have small rings prior to the 98 models and in the 98 models, we have both small and large ring. The HVA is not a large ring mauser, simply a small ring 98 and a good one, being very lightweight and strong plus the only commercial SR 98 I'm aware of.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I've owned and barreled a lot of HVA's, so I know the difference. They are small ring 98s, just like the G33-40, 1933 Brno and a few others. Large ring means it has a large front ring and small ring means it has a small front ring. The type or model number is different. So we have small rings prior to the 98 models and in the 98 models, we have both small and large ring. The HVA is not a large ring mauser, simply a small ring 98 and a good one, being very lightweight and strong plus the only commercial SR 98 I'm aware of.

That's my point, It's a small ring 98