Twist reate and 6.5X55 Swede?

[2506]

I have a Model 96 Swede that has been made into a sporter. The M-96 is supposed to have a 7 1/2 twist rifling. Do you think that this is too fast a twist to stabilize the short 100 gr. Sierra HP bullet? This rifle is a real shooter with 120 through 140 gr bullets. Here is my problem that I have found. Last year I thought I had found a load that shot accurate. Due to the lack of range time I was able to get in I only shot three, three shot groups with the load. The load was 42 grs Varget, Rem case. Rem 9 1/2 primer, 100 gr Sierra HP and out of the 29 inch barrel it should be doing right at 3000 fps. I did not have time to crono it. I shot three groundhogs between 100 and 150 yards with it and killed them but the POI on the groundhogs was not where the POI should have been, like a broad side shot aimed behind front shoulder and hit it in the head type of thing. I chalked it up to hog movement, field condition etc. This year when I went to make sure the rifle was sighted in it shot the first two rounds dead on but then it started throwing bullets 2 to 3 inches out in different directions and this was with waiting 5 or so minutes between shots. It was not anything wrong with the rifle or shooter because I shot groups with 120 and 140 gr bullets that were ragged hole 5 shot groups at 100 yards the same day after I gave up trying to get the 100 gr bullets to shoot. I am now shooting the 120 Nosler Ballistic tip with 46 grs. AA 4350 and I killed a groundhog the other day at 130 yards with this load and hit it exactly where the POI should have been. Again could it be that the 7 1/2 twist is wrong for the short 100 gr HP?

 

[olympian]

A 100gr bullet has a long way to jump before it engages the rifling. While I doubt this would cause the flier after two dead-on shots, it is something to consider when shooting such a short bullet.

In practical terms, if the 120gr. bullets work, then just keep using them rather than trying to understand why a possibly 100 year old military rifle does not shoot bugholes with bullets the rifle was not designed to use.

The M96 barrels heat up quickly when pushed hard too. Does the flier occur consistently on the third shot? What happens on a fourth or fifth shot? What happens if you wait 15-20 minutes between shots? These are some things to consider.

 

[tsiero]

Since it is easier to change the bullets rather than the rifle go with what works. The ground hogs won't know the difference. Sounds like you have a real shooter and email me when you want to give it up.

 

[2506]

Thanks for the reply. The real reason that I wanted to shoot the 100 gr HP was because the only places that I get to shoot groundhogs are in small fields that most of the time still have live stock still in them. There are also houses close by. The 100 gr Sierra HP literally explodes when it hits anything so it takes some of the chance of a ricochet out of the picture. The 120 gr bullets are tougher built and can ricochet even after passing through a groundhog. I guess that I will have to make double sure of where a bullet could go after it hits my intended target and stick with the 120 ballistic tip.

tsiero: I don't think I will ever get rid of this rifle. I have 3 96 Swedes in full military dress and they are real shooters also. They will shoot under 1 inch groups at 100 yards with open sights when I do my part. The sporter Swede will shoot right with some of my custom rifles. I like the long 29 inch barrel. You can get some very high velocity without high pressure with that long barrel. The only thing I don't like about the long barrel is handling it inside a shooting house deer stand or getting it in and out of the truck. I feels like handling a poll-vault poll.

 

[larryeliz]

2506--I, too have several M96 Swede's and I recently purchased a CZ550 American in 6.5x55. The CZ has an 8.5" twist that I'm hoping will shoot the mid-weight bullets well. It is a very nice rifle and the set trigger is beautiful on the bench. I recently found a good deal on some Speer 120gr spitzers; I hope they do well in the M96 and the CZ.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has experience with the CZ?

Larry

 

[2506]

If your rifle does not shoot well with the Speer bullets don't give up on it. I have never gotten any 6.5 Speer bullet to shoot well in my Swedes. They all shoot great with 120 Nosler ballistic tips and Sierra 120's and 140's either hunting bullets or match bullets. They also shoot great with 140 Hornady's. AA 4350 has given me the best accuracy velocity combo. I have killed 5 groundhogs this spring so far with my Swede with the 120 Nosler ballistic tips. Three were head shots but two where body hits and they made it back into their holes before death.

 

[larryeliz]

Thanks for the feedback on the Speer 120's. I primarily got the 120's to shoot in my CZ; I don't expect to shoot them in my M96. I have Remington 140's to load in my Swede.

I'd like to hear from shooters of the CZ 550 American in 6.5 x 55. How does it shoot? What does it like to shoot?
Thanks,
Larry

 

[savageboy]

I have had great success with the Speer 140 softpoints in my M96 Sweede with either H4350 or H4831. Very accurate. Of course the Sierra 140's and 142's are more accurate, but it is a military rifle that is 100years old. It is not my bench rest rifle.

 

[maestrovert]

as the owner of a ca1905 '96 Mauser still in as issued configuration, i am curious:
which bullet weight was/is the faster twist intended for/best with ? 160gr i'm guessing ? it's been quite some time, but i recall reading somewhere that that weight was then the standard, but i've never been able to find anything but 120 & 140 gr weights....

 

[Exercion]

Maestrovert,
The original loading was a 156gr roundnose bullet. Thus the long throat and fast twist. If you want to have some fun with the old girl, get some of the heavy roundnose bullets out there, seat them near the lands and enjoy. Not that the 139/140's don't shoot superbly, but many people report that groups with the heavy pills can be astounding.

Eric

 

[maestrovert]

Maestrovert,
The original loading was a 156gr roundnose bullet. Thus the long throat and fast twist. If you want to have some fun with the old girl, get some of the heavy roundnose bullets out there, seat them near the lands and enjoy. Not that the 139/140's don't shoot superbly, but many people report that groups with the heavy pills can be astounding.

Eric

Thanx Eric !

 

[savageboy]

Oddly enough, I have had great success at the other end of the weight spectrum for the 6.5's. I have shot some great groups with the stock 29.1" 1:7.5 twist military barrel and the Sierra 85gr. Varmiter with H or IMR 4350. Over 3000fps, no recoil and very accurate at 200yds.

 

[Exercion]

Well, the 6.5 Swede is far and away my favorite round, and it seems that as has been said elsewhere, it's difficult to make the Swede shoot *inaccurately*. I have had very nice results from 107 to 160, and while I have some 85's here somewhere I haven't had a chance to try them yet. I'll have to play with that combo soon I reckon.

Eric