Norma 6.5 swede ammo question

Greetings Gentlemen:
Hopefully you will be able to answer my question. I have searched the net and have only gotten more confused as there are so many differing opinions.

I have had a 1942 "Husky" 6.5 M38 Swede for quite a while, Typically I reload for it, though I have used a some PPU ammo to get the brass. While visiting my local shop I found an older box of Norma 139 grain ammo for a great price. I've always heard that it was excellent ammo. Of course all the writing is in Swedish, I managed to translate the velocity to 2854 FPS (870m/s).

This seems really high compared to typical U.S. ammo. Some say that U.S. ammo is purposely loaded milder to deal with lawyers and the sue happy environment we are in. Some say European ammo is to hot for the swede, and others say that Norma wouldn't make ammo that would damage these rifles as they are common in Europe. Some say they have used it with no trouble others say no way. Needless to say I am totally confused!:confused: I just hope someone out there can give me a definitive answer.
Thank you all in advance.

Norma ammo is loaded to CIP specs. For 6.5x55 this calls for "Pmax" (Maximum average pressure) of 3800 bar, a fairly moderate figure. For comparison, CIP lists Pmax 3900 bar for 7x57 and 7.65x53, both commonly used in rifles older and certainly no stronger than your M38. Unless the packaging displays some statement meaning "For use only in modern sporting arms" or equivalent, there's not likely a problem.

Provide sharp photos of all text on the box and someone here can probably translate for you.

Thanks for the info - attached picture of the back of the box. Sorry can't figure out how to rotate.

Nothing there about pressure or safety warning - just exterior ballistics and sighting info, in Swedish and Finnish.

Thanks Parashooter! Guess I am good to go. Can't wait to see how these print on the target.

Not having seen the entire box, I have no assurance it doesn't include any warnings. Proceed at your own risk. My standard procedure with low-risk unknown combinations is to fire the first round from the hip, with the loading/ejection port tilted away from my body.

The front of the box just has what it is, no warnings, see attached. Will be follow standard procedure

I can imagine warnings on sides, ends, even inside flaps. Not saying there are any on yours - just that I don't know, so can't vouch for safety.

Whooaaah! - Not so fast!

The Vulkan is a Norma hunting bullet. I have just looked at my (admittedly old) Norma reloading manual from 1995. Swedish Mausers were the same then as now, and the loads given there for various powders are around 790-810 m/sec. Unfortunately without any comment as to whether these are typical or maximum values.

As a comparison, the VihtaVuori reloading manual (4th. ed.) lists loads for the Lapua 140gn "Naturalis" - a similar hunting bullet. The maximum velocity given here is 821 m/sec with N560, lower for other powders. I have found the V-V manual to be very realistic, and would never go beyond its maximum values.

I suspect that this is a loading intended for modern hunting rifles, and 870 m/sec seems to be definitely on the "hot" side for a Swedish Mauser.

As Parashooter wrote: proceed at your own risk!

P.S: Tincansailor1, the only Vulkan cartridge that I can find on the Norma site has a muzzle energy of around 3000 joules. The 3400 J. seems to be on the high side for a Swedish Mauser.

Thanks guys
May have to rethink, might pull the bullets and load my powder for a "normal" velocity then reseat the pills. What do you think?

Well guys, here is the story, as per my last post I was going to pull the bullets and charge up the cases with my normal 4064 load. In checking my powder supply, I remembered I used all of the 4064 and neglected to replace it. As we all know now, powders are IMPOSSIBLE to find.

So here is my next idea.
1-pull bullets
2-measure each case charge then average it out
3-reduce the charge by 10% and reload existing powder and bullet

Do you think that would bring the FPS and pressure down to a safer level?