M96 Questions

[usherj]

I recently acquired a nice M96 with a sharp, bright bore, but the marking disc is marked '3', which according to what I've read indicates an unserviceable bore. It shoots well (1-1.25" 5 shot groups at 50Y) with the standard sights and my initial loads. Any explanation for the '3' marking when there is no visible pitting?

I have loaded 140 Sierra MKs with up to 42g RL22 for 2500 fps. I plan on being conservative, but was wondering what types of loads other M96 owners have used with accuracy being the main goal.

I also noticed that the chamber in this rifle has tighter dimensions than my Tikka, which is only a few years old! After full length sizing, the fit was still a bit snug. The tighness is not in the length, but in the base diameter. Now I will neck size the fire formed cases. I'm really impressed with the quality of this rifle.  :)I should have gotten one a long time ago.

What difference in group size have you realized between the standard sights and diopter sights? Of the different models, which is preferable? Thanks for any input you can give

[Mikey]

My M38 has a #3 barrel and shot to about 2" at 100m, until I sporterized it with a new bedded stock, better trigger and a scope; then it shot to a 1 hole group at 150m.  This rifle is so accurate that when I first purchased hunting ammo for it I purchased a goodly amount of Sellier and Bellot 131 gn soft points and have not bothered to reload for it as I doubt seriously that I can improve on that kind of accuracy with its #3 bore.

#3 doesn't refer to pitting, those numbers refer to the serviceability of the rifle in terms of its accuracy capability (I think) or possibly whether it has been reworked at the arsenal.  I do not believe it indicates the amount the bore has degraded, let's say from .264 to .267, or possibly it does but with my rifle it sure doesn't mean anything significant to me.  Mine is so accurate with factory loads I am not even thinking about reloading the 6.5.  HTH.

[84Jim]

My reference on Swedes (Bowser, 1996) states that a 3 is the largest bore diameter measurement allowed before barrel replacement.

I have a M96 with a 3 that I shoot in vintage military competition.  It will easily clean the SR1 and SR targets with a decent X count from a prone position with a sling if I do my part.  My loads are 44 grs. IMR-4831 with a 140 Sierra for 200 yds., and 36 grs. IMR 4895 with any 140 gr. softpoint for 100 yds.  Both loads are zeroed at those ranges with a 6 o'clock hold.  Since there is no practical elevation adjustment with the issue sights, it allows me to shoot at both distances.

[S.S.]

The Swedish idea of a worn out barrel is different from most of the
rest of the countries in the world! Their worn out barrels are still more accurate
than most folks can shoot them.

[84Jim]

The other part of the disc shows the muzzel reading starting at 6.46 and going up to 6.59.  the punch mark is under the diameter when they checked it.  Mine is at 6.58, .01 under the max but it still shoots like a house on fire!

[usherj]

Thanks for the feedback. Mine is marked at 6.51, so hopefully she has a lot of life left. I'm working with RL22 and have worked up to 44g and don't feel the need to go further since It's getting 2600 fps. I'll look for a higher front sight to bring it down to the target center (w/ 6:00 hold) at 100 yards.