6.5 Swede vs 6.5Swede Acklly improved

[Freezer]

    I have a Arg. Mauser I've been working on and it's time for a barrel.  I thought I had decided on 6.5 Swede in a 22" tube but then I had an other thought.  After taking some asprin to counter the effects of thinking I began to look for load data for the 6.5AI.  I haven't found it yet.
    I've been hand loading for years and don't mind fire forming brass if there is an advantage in it. 
    Does anyone have ballistic, trajectory and load specs. for the 6.5 Swede AI?  Is it worth the work?

[Catfish]

I could not find any data on the 6.5 Swede AI, but looking at the case drawings I would guess 100 to 150 fps. gain max. The 6.5 x 58 Mauser should do a little better and then you could AI it and get maybe 250 to 300 fps more.

[quickdtoo]

I found no "published data", but if you google 6.5x55 ackley improved, you'll get some data at reloadersnest and a few discussions on it.

Tim

[steve4102]

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=310

[Siskiyou]

I guess I need a little education regarding the model 91.  I thought it was a 2-lug action and considered a pressure action versus the M98 action, which is considered a pressure action. 

My brother had a two lug M95 action heat treated to take acupressure loads.  I believe he has it chambered for the 6.5-257 Roberts.

Will the bolt face need opening to feed the 6.5 Swede case?

If the action can take the pressure the 6.5-284 Norma (6.5-284 Winchester) might be a good option.  The bolt face may not need altering.  There are two or three sources for 6.5-284 Norma cases.

In standard loads the 6.5 Swede has some unused case capacity.  The normally listed maximum load of H4831 in most cases is 47.0 grains.  If 47.0 grains is a benchmark maximum in the early actions what will an Ackley improved case gain the shooter if the strength of the action is not upgraded?

[Freezer]

    My rifle is not a model 91 it's a model 1909.  The 1909 is a true 98 action and will handle the pressure.  It's true the model 91 is a weak action and caution should be used when choosing it for a sporter project.  My rifle is currently wearing it's original barrel but it's turned down and cut to 20 ".  It shoots well but the 7.65x53 is a 308 class cartridge and there isn't a good bullet selection for .311.  As for 6.5x284, in order to get the best performance out of that cartridge you need a 24 or better yet 26 in barrel.  I want a liter gun than that.  I'm considering 20 or 22 inch.  The 6.5 Swede is also a mild kicking cartridge which I also prefer.  I have a 25-06 for long work and a variety of other rifles for everything else.  This is the one project Mauser I promised myself years ago.

[Siskiyou]

Sounds like the 1909 action opens a lot of options for you.

[hillbill]

hard to beat the old 6.5 swede, i know the ballistics don't show it but with a mild kicking cartridge like the swede with the ballistic coefficient that the bullet has and even at the nominal velocity that it travels, it will surprise you.  as far as drop and killing power goes, it will surprise yu again.if your only gonna get 200fps with the improved version then yu are wasting your time less yu looking for a bean field rifle or sumping.look at the 260 rem, if i remember ,its only 100 fps over the 6.5 swede and not a lick better killer on deer size game.just my opinion, possibly correct, or impossibly wrong.

[Freezer]

    The standard 6.5 Swede has a higher case capacity than the 260 Rem.  It is generally loaded below it's capability because of older weaker actions that it used to be chambered for.  Being a hand loader this isn't a problem for me and that why I chose 6.5x55 over the 260.  I just liked the ides if squeezing everything I can out of it.  The down sides that I'm finding are no load data, I'll have to fire form my brass and the dies will cost about $150 just to gain 150fps.
    I thought about making a bean field gun out of this action but don't have much need for that style of rifle.  If I had decided to go that route I would have chosen 6.5x284 or 6.5-06.  Besides if I need a bean field gun I have an NEF in 25-06, another under appreciated round.

[Siskiyou]

I ran this one by my brother because he is a big time wildcat addict with two 6.5 Swedes, a 6.5-250 Savage, 6.5-284(24-inch barrel), a 256 Newton, and I think a 6.5-06 stamped rifle.  I believe the 256 Newton is or near identical to the 6.5-06.  I may have missed one or two.

His thoughts with your action you can take advantage of the unused case capacity of the 6.5 Swede.

I would not be surprised that one of the reasons behind him giving me the M96 Swede was not to mix loads for his Winchester M70 Featherweight and his Husqvarna Featherweight with the M96. (A nice gift which I appricate.)

Does the cost of a 20/22-inch improved barrel, plus dies add up to increased performance or just more muzzle blast?

I am not critical of wildcatting because it is another person’s interest.  My brother has a .270 Ackley Improved, and a .35 Improved, but only talk’s theory when it comes to velocity gained.  He owns a Chrony but has not taken it out of the box in 15-years.  I believe that part of it is the pride of ownership, and being able to say, I have an Ackley Improved.