6.5 x55 swedish m96 vs modern 6.5x55

[j two dogs]

For years all I have ever loaded for was the old M96 Swede Mauser, I new they were fine rifles, but limited on the pressure side.

I recently got a Steyr Prohunter in 6.5x55 but all the manuals have is loads geared toward the old M96.
Does anyone have a favorite recipe, or can point me in the right direction for some modern load data for this fine old round, I like the lighter bullets somewhere between 110 to 130.
Thanks ahead of time
j

[wareagleguy]

What ya going to hunt with it?  I use 100gr. Nosler Partitions on white tail and it works wonders.  I can dig and find the load data if you need it.

[Sweetwater]

My Alliant Reloading Guide shows loads for military and then loads for commercial actions 4-5grains higher with 120gr bullets. Wishing my scanner was hooked up...

Top loads with 120gr SP:    Re17 Fed210 Fed case OAL=3.0 41.5gr 2741fps
(for commercial actions)     Re19 CCI200 Rem Case OAL=3.0  46gr   2820fps
                                     Re22 CCI200 Rem Case OAL=3.0  46gr   2830fps



Now from Speer#12 "for use in modern rifles; Winchester, Remington, Ruger, etc"

120gr SP  Cases are Federal, Primers are CCI200, OAL=3.0" Ruger M77 MkII 22"
       
Viht. N160     44gr=2895fps      48gr=2895fps
IMR4831        45gr=2650fps      49gr=2886fps
IMR4350        43gr=2639fps       47gr=2884fps
Re22           46.5gr=2654fps    50.5Cgr=2882fps
IMR4895      36.5gr=2581fps     40.5gr=2860fps
H414           42.5gr=2610fps     46.5gr=2856fps
H450              46gr=2617fps       50gr=2845fps
Re19              45gr=2593fps       49gr=2826fps
IMR4064        37.5gr=2554fps    41.5gr=2826fps
IMR4320           38gr=2514fps       42gr=2779fps
AA2700           40.5gr=2526fps   44.5gr=2776fps   

Disclaimer: not responsible for typos or accuracy of data. Use at your own risk.

JMHO - the loads I've seen listed for the old 96actions would make decent starting loads for my rifle, which is a Ruger M77 MkII 22" like Speer used. My rifle allows seating to 3.30" to cycle (long magazine & throat) so I go as long up to 3.30" as the bullet will allow and stay firmly gripped by the case neck. A seating depth of .20" is plenty to hold in my cases and any deeper is simply to facilitate bullet length to meet max OAL.

HTH

[Steve P]

Pressure and load development is going to depend on the twist rate of your barrel.  Do your homework.  The older military guns are likely 1:7.5" twist.  Modern guns likely 1:10".

Manuals are publishing loads that will be safe in about any 6.5x55.  Like most Mausers, there were the GOOD ones that were made when times were good, and there are the MEDIOCRE ones that were made in mass volume during the wars.  Loading manuals are safe to apply to Medicre as well.  I work up to loads that are safe in GOOD military mausers.

I have more confidence in some of the older guns than I have in some of these new ones!!  See how they look at in 20-30 years+. 

Steve