Loading for the M96 6.5X55 Swede

[Siskiyou]

Objective:  Develop safe hunting loads for my sporterized M96 Swede.

I have had a sporterized 6.5X55 Swede for about ten years.  When my brother gave it to me he gave me a couple hundred rounds of ammunition.  The ammunition had 140 grain Nosler Partitions, 120 grain Remington C-L, and military loads.  An hour after going into the field I killed a buck. 

This winter I put a Bushnell Banner 3x9 on it.  And shot up some ammunition sighting it in.

So the time has come to reload for it.  A few years ago I purchased 500 Remington 140-grain C-L bullets.  I have powder and primers on hand.  I needed cases and resolved that by buying 50 Winchester cases.

I have reviewed a great deal of reloading data for the 6.5X55 and found that the majority of loads call for a moderate burning powder.  I have decided to go for slower burning powders.  Over the years I have found that cases with adequate powder capacity and a small neck do well on slow burning powders.  The best example I can give you is the .243 Winchester and the .270 Winchester.  I have successfully burned H4831 and slow burning Winchester Ball powders in over bore capacity cases for years.  I feel that slow burning powders will proved high velocity at lower pressure in the M96 action.  Some would argue that H4831 stick powder is hard to work with when using a powder measurer.  I set my Lyman 55 to drop a load, and then use a dribbler to bring it to where I want it.  When using WMR or other ball powders I can drop a measured charge easily. 

It is my intention to take my Chrony with me when I test these loads.  Hopefully by tracking velocity, along with case expansion, primers, and bolt lift I will keep out of trouble.  Accuracy is another concern after all the safety related issues.  I do not think accuracy will be a problem with this rifle based on the results of other ammunition I have fired in it. 

I reviewed over 30-years of data using H4831 with 140-grain bullets.  The load combinations that I loaded fall within the safe limits of published reloading manuals.  Of course there are variances between some manuals.  My top load does not come near the most extreme maximum load.

The kicker is WMR(Winchester Magnum Rife Powder).  I felt cheated when Winchester dropped it.  I have had good results with WMR in the .270 Winchester.  Results with 140 grain .277 are better then results with H4831.  Along with my WMR came a data sheet for popular over bore capacity cases.  There was no data for the 6.5 Swede.  In fact I looked at some of my older publications and some powder companies have ignored the 6.5 Swede in the past.  I called my brother in regards to using WMR in the 6.5 Swede.  He still has a M70 in 6.5, and a Husqvarna in 6.5 Swede.  He has not loaded WMR in the 6.5 Swede but he has in other cases including his new 6.5-284.  Most of his 6.5X55 loading has been with IMR4895 and Accurate 4895.

I loaded 20 cases breaking the loads into five increments.  I believe the heaviest load is 2-grains less then a safe maximum.  Again I will be wearing safety equipment, checking cases, bolt lift, and looking for abnormal increase in velocity.  This is a little different step for me do to the lack of data, but I believe I am going the right direction.

After field-testing I will be able to state what H4831 charges worked in my rifle because they will fall within published data.  Unfortunately when it comes to WMR all I’ll be able to say is that it worked, did not work, or I am stuffing a couple more grains into the cases and waiting for another day to shoot.  My bright, sunny Chrony location has snow falling on it  so there will be some delay. 

I have read the pros and con’s regarding the strength of the M96 action.  My intent is to have safe loads in the rifle.  My grandkids maybe shooting it one day.

I would be interested in experiences with H4831 and WMR in the M96 Swede.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

My only load is with 4350, 1.25" groups, and a very good trajectory.

[Buckfever]

Just as an add on if you want to try something else. I think you are wise to play it with the older action. I have had great luck with RL-22 and 140gr Nosler Partition.  Safe re-load within spec's a muzzle velocity 0f 2675 in a 22 an 3/8 th barrel.  Nosler book comes close to the load.  2550 fps  as a reduced powder weight still lays them down under 300 yards actual field performance.   Really lays the big northern whitetails down like the Hammer of Thor!!   Buckfever

[coyotejoe]

You just touched on my main gripe with Winchester powders. Several times I have worked up a favorite load with a Winchester powder, then  go to buy another can only to find that powder has been discontinued. I now avoid that brand.

[Siskiyou]

Recently I have read some negative comments on Winchester brass.  I must state that I have purchased .270 Win., .300 Savage, and the 6.5 Winchester bulk brass in the last 12 months.  It has all been of high quality.

In the 6.5X55 project I check each piece in a gage for proper length.  It was all at maximum.  I ran the resizing button into the mouth of the case to make sure it was true.  And I chamfered the case mouth.  I used CCI 200 Large Rifle primers for the H4831 loads.  I have used this primer for years with H4831 in loads up to sixty grains of powder with good results.  For the loads with the Winchester Magnum Rifle Power (WMR) I chose to use Winchester Large Rifle primers for standard and magnum loads.  I have read that ball powders are harder to ignite and a hotter primer is required.  I have used the Winchester primers with good results with H414, WW785, WMR, H870, and AA8700.  I do not expect ignition problems with the lighter charges of H4831 or WMR.

The 6.5X55 case has been around longer then the 30-06, .270 Winchester, and the .243 Winchester.  But when you look at it, handle it, and work with it you know the designers were ahead of their time.  The bottom line is  the 6.5x55 Winchester bulk brass I purchased is a step above most Remington brass I have purchased in the pass.  And I have no gripe with Remington brass. 

If what I have read in these pages that Winchester brass is going to be manufactured in Mexico is true I expect the product to decline.  Having read the issues related to manufacturing other products in Mexico, and the difficulty of getting quality cars built in Mexico I think it will take a number of years to get quality brass from a Mexican factory.  If somebody has purchased Winchester brass manufactured in Mexico I would be interested in how the package is labeled.

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[nomosendero]

To be a moderate case it does well with the slower powders, from 4350 to RL22 range. I will be loading some ammo for my wife's 6.5X55 for some speed goats. I booked at the ranch in WY that I like 2 years ago, & now I have found out that we will be drawn (WY.
cashed my check). Anyway, I am going to try the 130 Accubond due to it's high BC, we shall see.

[Buckfever]

Nomosendero, please let me know if you find a 6.5x55 load that you think is special.  I have found this caliber to be a real winner for me and I am always looking for new loads.  The area I haven't done much with is the 120gr, to 130 gr.  if you find something sweet please give me a heads up.    Buckfever

[Cheesehead]

I have had the best accuracy results with 120 grain Sierras and a near max charge of RL-19. Very tight groups at 200 yards. My sporterized 96 is unbelievably accurate with this load. The brass is Winchester and of good quality.

Cheese

[Larry Gibson]

In W-W cases with WLR primers I use the 140 gr Hornady SP over 49 gr of H4831SC. Velocity is 2740 fps out of my sporter M96 (M38 with 23.75" barrel) and accuracy is MOA. It is a fine hunting load and I've killed a nice mule deer buck with it plus a couple coyotes.

Larry Gibson

[Siskiyou]

Larry thanks for the information.  Your load falls within the maximum of my older Speer Manual.  Because I have a good supply of H4831 charges that provide accurate, safe loads with good velocity get my interest.  Your load gets my interest.  You have me thinking about loading a few more rounds in tenth of a grain increments for testing. 

Cheesehead and others how effective are the 120 to 130 grain bullet range on deer.  My current goal with the 140 grain bullet is good penetration without the major over penetration issues that maybe related to 156-160 grain bullets in 6.5.  I prefer a bullet that expends most of its energy in the target and goes to ground quickly because of its poor ballistic shape after penetration.  A hunting partner killed two bucks in one shot with a 160 grain bullet from a 6.5X55.  The bullet penetrated both deer completely and was not recovered.

[j two dogs]

I have one that was sporterized by Kimber, that I further modified. I shoot max load of Imr 4064 from my Hodgden manual behind a 129 gr. hornaday spire point and I also use the 125 nosler partion, both shoot under an inch, and both shoot to the same point of impact. To me and my taste thats as good as she gets.

[Cheesehead]

Siskiyou,

I have yet to take a deer with my 6.5, but lots of range work and load development, so I am ready for the right moment.

Cheese

[Siskiyou]

A while back I wrote that I was going to load some 6.5X55 ammo.  I had a supply of new Winchester Cases, and 140-grain C-L bullets.  In response I received a lot of good loading information for the 6.5X55.

I developed loads based on H4831 and WMR powders because those are the powders I have on hand.  H4831 was easier because of the vast amount of data available.  WMR is a different story and so I started low using H450 data as a guide.  I am sure that has sent heads spinning.

My H4831 test loads were:

43.0 GR.      3rds
44.0 GR       3rds
45.0 GR       3rds
45.5 GR       3rds
46.0 GR       3rds
46.5 GR       2rds Near Max
47.0 GR       3rds Book Max

My WMR test loads were:
                        43.0   3rds               44.0   3rds             44.5    5rds           44.7  5rds       45.0    5 rds

 At this point I am not shooting for best accuracy, but to keep the rounds in the black, and not hit the Chrony.  Of course safety is first and not blowing up the rifle are my goals.
 I fired three rounds of 139-grain military ammunition.  Highest velocity 2553 with an average velocity of 2539 ten feet from the muzzle.  Elevation is over 6700 feet, and the temperature was 74 degrees.  The rifle has a 23-inch barrel.

I started out with the H4831 loads.  The starting loads were mild, and I did not reach Military velocities until I fired the 45.5-grain loads.  I averaged 2600 f.p.s. with the 47.0 grain loads.  Forty-seven grains of H4831 is the maximum load in most of my publication.  My next effort with H4831 is to shoot for accuracy without the Chrony between the muzzle and the target.  One of the members in an earlier post stated that he was successfully using a heavier charge of H4831.  I believe that I can exceed 47.0 grains with caution in mind.  But caution tells me to be happy with 47.0 grains; if I need a hotter load I can switch to a different rifle.

I clean the barrel after every ten rounds.  I also cooled the barrel after every three rounds. 

I started testing the WMR loads and as expected 43.0 grains of WMR was very mild only producing 2246 f.p.s.  I then fired the 44.0 and 44.5 loads.  The problem was that I lost adequate light for the Chrony to function.  But the loads were safe and the 44.5 load started to show some potential.  At that point I saved the other rounds for more complete data collection in the future.

The primary reason that I chose H4831 and WMR is that is the powder that I have on had and they fit the niche for top velocity at a lower pressure then some other powders.

A major issue with the 6.5X55 is that if you refer to ten different manuals you will get a giant spread in recommend loads and results.  I believe the difference is more so with this case then any other rounds I load for.

I compared the Remington 140 grain C-L at 2600 f.p.s. with Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Hornaday 140 grain bullets using Sierra Infinity Exterior Ballistic software.  The Nosler PT was at the top of the list, and the Remington 140 C-L at the bottom.    I should note that while it was at the bottom of the list the C-L still puts over one thousand pounds of energy on the target at 435 yards.

I find the 6.5X55 a pleasant round to shot.   

[41 mag]

I bought one of the Kimber models years ago for my daughter to use as a in the woods rifle. Figured for the price and ranges she would be using it, it would work out great. At the time I also picked up 4 boxes of Winchester factory ammo so we would be able to sight in and hunt with the same ammo.

First box we went through would not keep two shots within 4" of each other. If you shot several times you could get within an inch with one of the following rounds but you didn't know which one it would be, or if the next round was the one which would hit where you aimed. Yanked the stock and replaced it with a Fajen from Midway, bedded the action and floated the barrel. Groups improved but were still wandering around on the target. Swapped the scope out for a Burris, and things improved enough she got to hunt with it the second year we had it.

Finished up with the factory stuff and started with the handloads. Found the chamber was large enough that I needed to only neck size after the initial firing to keep from splitting cases. Once this was done also found that the Hornady 140gr A-Max which was brand new at the time could be set on top of the case un-seated and chambered without touching anything. No biggie just some jump for sure.

Went with the H-4831 and the A-Max, worked up a load which was using 51.0 grs, a CCI-BR-2 Primer and gave just over 2600fps. in 95 degree weather. Same load drops to 2520 in 35 degree weather. As for the A-Max working on our deer and hogs, neither one of us has had a lost critter or had to track one over about 20yds. She has taken two trophy bucks using it and I have taken hogs with it out to 400yds with complete pass throughs. I have been amazed with the preformance of this rifle that I had just about decided to use a a fire barrel poker.

The only thing I have found weird with it has been that if you sight it in at 100yds, it will shoot low and to the left at 200, then high and to the right at 300. The groups are all tight and easily less than 1 MOA, but it appears that the bullet is out of sync in it's rotation. The A-max has been the best bullet we have used and with several others, the problem only gets more pronounced. .

Just thought I would add a litle info to what you already have. If you get a chance give the A-Max a try, at the low velocity you get from this round it is an awesome preformer.

[Brithunter]

Cheesehead and others how effective are the 120 to 130 grain bullet range on deer.

    I have found the Speer 120 Grn Hot Core bullet to work very well on Deer and have shot several Muntjac and Roe deer with this bullet. I have two rifles chambered for the 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge one of which is a sporterised Swedish Mauser and the other a commercial modern Mauser Obendorf M96 Slide bolt. The Slide Bolt prefers heavier bullets like the 140 Grn ones.

    I have never recovered a bullet from the 6.5x55 but then again the Roe deer only weigh about 35-50lbs and the Muntjac less at around 30-35lbs as I have never seemed to have a 6.5x55 rifle in my hands when encoutering Fallow Deer.

[rickt300]

My M96 has a 22 inch barrel now that I foolishly sporterized it years ago. My only loading has been 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and the Hornady 140 spire point or round nose bullets in all kinds of off brand cases. I neck sized them in a Lee knock em together set and they shot into just around an inch. This load has taken Mule deer, whitetails and feral hogs at ranges out to 200 yards and performance has been perfect. Velocity I guess is around 2450 fps. I havelong sincegone onto other gunsbut the rifle is in a corner in view right now to remind me of our many trips afield.