The Swede

[2644ever]

The Swede is an outstanding cartridge that makes most other mid sized 6.5's quite redundant, except for the .256 Newton (that I reverse developed years ago, using 8x60 cases from Partizan and RWS)
I recently purchased -dirt cheap- a quite rare rifle chambered for the Swede, a Lakelander. Some research reveal that less than 3,000 were made and even less in 6,5x55, after 5 bankrupcies in 3 different countries, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
The rifle is unbelievably accurate with the cheap ammo that was available, despite his 28" sporter sized barrel.
Here it is next to a custom #1 gunsmithed by my late Dad in 6mm-300 Weatherby.
A 300 mètres 3-shot group with the Swede with Partizan factory ammo.

 

[perazziguy]

I don't have a Swede, but find myself maybe wanting one...

 

[David Milisock]

I don't have a Swede, but find myself maybe wanting one...

If you decide to work with an older Mauser 1896 remember that the pressure is tested to 65,300 PSI

 

[jmm03]

If you decide to work with an older Mauser 1896 remember that the pressure is tested to 65,300 PSI

I am not positive but I actually think the actions are rated a bit lower than 65K. Not really much point pushing the velocity anyway, I have been using a mid range load from the original low pressure recommendations in my model 700 and get very good results. One hole results.

 

[2644ever]

I am not positive but I actually think the actions are rated a bit lower than 65K. Not really much point pushing the velocity anyway, I have been using a mid range load from the original low pressure recommendations in my model 700 and get very good results. One hole results.

According to Weakipedia:

I am not positive but I actually think the actions are rated a bit lower than 65K. Not really much point pushing the velocity anyway, I have been using a mid range load from the original low pressure recommendations in my model 700 and get very good results. One hole results.

According to Weakipedia:

"All Swedish Mausers other than trials rifles were chambered for the 6.5×55mm Swedish cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP).<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Mauser#cite_note-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Mauser#cite_note-5"><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a> "

Whatever... Anyway, I wouldn't really feel comfortable shooting high pressure loads in a 130+ year old rifle, even unused.

 

[David Milisock]

I am not positive but I actually think the actions are rated a bit lower than 65K. Not really much point pushing the velocity anyway, I have been using a mid range load from the original low pressure recommendations in my model 700 and get very good results. One hole results.

The SAAMI load list about 55,000 the proof of the actions from the internet. All Swedish Mauser bolt actions were proof tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP psi)

In any case the action requires that you NOT THINK like a standard Mauser in terms of safe pressure. I find them extremely soft shooting and effective. If I were looking to push the cartridge hard, I'd use a different action, I can see the reasoning for that as in a strong action long barreled rifle velocity increase would be substantial.

 

[jmm03]

I was referencing from my older Sierra loading manual that the original spec was 45K.

 

[joshb]

The SAAMI load list about 55,000 the proof of the actions from the internet. All Swedish Mauser bolt actions were proof tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP psi)

In any case the action requires that you NOT THINK like a standard Mauser in terms of safe pressure. I find them extremely soft shooting and effective. If I were looking to push the cartridge hard, I'd use a different action, I can see the reasoning for that as in a strong action long barreled rifle velocity increase would be substantial.

Exactly. This is why I built a custom with a Stiller action when I decided to “push” the cartridge to its full potential. The old Swedish Mausers are nice rifles but they shouldn’t be hot rodded.

 

[FNSafari]

Exactly. This is why I built a custom with a Stiller action when I decided to “push” the cartridge to its full potential. The old Swedish Mausers are nice rifles but they shouldn’t be hot rodded.

If you really want to push the 6.5x55, do a modified version like the 6.5 Rogue.

 

[Laurie]

I am not positive but I actually think the actions are rated a bit lower than 65K.

Yes, absolutely! This pressure was generated by a proof load, ie a deliberately over-pressure, seriously over-pressure, round to test firearm integrity after manufacture or modification.

Proof testing is mandatory by law in European countries including after rebarreling or rechambering. The USA has never required this, and seems to manage fine without. Proofing is in effect a single-shot non-destructive overload test producing stresses that lie between normal long-term working levels and true destructive testing. Although obviously not having as serious an effect as the latter, each proof firing weakens the pressure bearing components, and many European shooters disagree with the policy, especially in this era of regular rebarreling of custom rifles.

Crown Jewels - the Mauser in Sweden: A century of Accuracy and Precision by Dana Jones (Collector Grade Publications) quotes the pressure of the m/94-m/41 cartridge which was the standard military load from the 1940s until final use (and I imagine is still what Norma and others load for continuing Scandinavian match use) as generating 330 bar / 47,862 psi MAP, a far cry from the 65,000 psi proof load.

The old pre-2003 Accurate Arms Company powder supplier tested contemporary Norma 6.5X55mm Norma factory ammo for its Reloading Manual No.2 (published 2001) in a test barrel using Piezo-crystal pressure measurement technology and employing SAAMI methodology to ascertain maximum pressures for its loads tables and found these factory cartridges were loaded to 51,000 psi. The European CIP, (equivalent to SAAMI), sets 380 bar / 55,000 psi as max for 6.5X55 SE (ie strong modern rifles only), also Piezo-crystal, but employing a different methodology. I've never seen a quote for max pressure for Swedish Mauser handloads, but if you look at Viht's handloading tables for the two levels, Swedish Mauser max charges are 1.8-2.5gn lower depending on the grade than for its SE/SKAN loads.

 

[Will Henry]

While the actions are strong enough, it is not uncommon to see them damaged. I have seen them split from being forced onto a barrel with oversized threads. I have seen them split from the use of an inside wrench. I have seen them crushed from overtightening an outside wrench. For this reason, I look them over very carefully before doing any work on them. When using the outside wrench, I always slide a close-fitting mandrel in to support the receiver ring before tightening the wrench. It takes very little force on the wrench to distort the ring.
My first "F" class rifle was a Model 70 Winchester which I barreled in 6.5x55. I won a lot of matches with that rifle. Its best range was always 800m but 900 was great too. I shot 140's at about 2850 from a 26 inch barrel.
Later, I used another Model 70 for metallic silhouette shooting. It didn't take more than 2600 fps to take the rams down with a 140, so I downgraded to a Creedmoor for this.
I have one hunting rifle in 6.5x55. I built it on a FN mauser action. I used a gain twist barrel, and put it into a laminated stock. It weighs just over 7 pounds all up and is pleasant to carry.. 140's at 2750 are great on deer. WH

 

[Jack O'Connor]

My wife hunts with a customized Browning in 6.5mm Swede. Moderate recoil, fine accuracy, and hard hitting are the attributes that most hunters enjoy. Jack

 

[2644ever]

Well, the Lakelander rifle was finally shot last saturday with handloads ( Lapua, Partizan and FNM cases, 50.0 grs of Vihta N 560 and Lapua Scenar 139 hpbt) at various distances from 100 to 600 meters on an army range. The speed was to be expected with this combination of long barrel (28") and souped up powder: 2887 fps on average and a .7 MoA accuracy on average with 3 shot groups.
This rifle is really a pleasant surprise.
And this 130 year old faithful overachieving cartridge makes me question the usefulness of most mid sized 6.5 cartridges from the last 40 years, including the 6.5-284 Norma...

 

[ogre1911]

It is hands down my favorite cartridge for ALL things. It can go from F-Class (140 hybrids) to moose/elk (155 mega or 156 Berger) to lighter for varmints.