96 swede reciever strength

[Calif-Steve]

The Swedes provided the steel to the Germans for the first German made M96's. They are supposed to be high grade steel. The very early pre-WWI Mausers were made of very plain steel, a step above iron, but steel. The M98's gain their strength through the design and the steel is a moot point for a M98. The M93's and the M96's would benefit from high grade steel. However, most of the M96's are pre-WWI and are the best of their era. Do be aware of that.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"My good buddy is a retired gunsmith. He says the M96's are very easy to drill and tap. The steel is nothing like an 03-A3."

So did you ever hear of an M96 receiver shattering? Too hard = brittle. As Springfield found out - the hard way. A receiver needs to be tough, not super-hard. This is a topic that has been kicked to death elsewhere, particularly on the Enfield forum. The modulus of elasticity is pretty much the same for all steels used in gunmaking. Surface hardness is important for wear (i.e. bolt lugs), not for bursting strength.

Patrick

[Calif-Steve]

Swedes M96's do not burst. They will stretch over time. But are well worth the money. Very nicely made of early steel.

[Dutchman]

Some mis-information hereabouts...

Swedes will, too, burst.





Rifles are very particular and individual. What shoots well in one rifle may shoot terrible in another. So when fellows go from one internet forum to another asking for "good loads" it proves one thing: They don't own a loading manual or don't know how to read or won't do the homework.

I have the Hodgdon 2009 Handloading Annual in front of me. I like all the load data because it all has pressure readings and they are all below 46,000 cup and safe for the Swedish Mauser.

The one load mentioned by Jon, 44grs H4350 with a 140 gr bullet. That is one grain under the 45 grs shown in this book. Its a good load. Safe load.

All the loads for 140 gr are in the range of 2490 fps on the low side to 2700 fps on the high side. That high load is with IMR4831. An excellent powder choice for 6.5x55.

In just this Hodgdon book ($9) are loads from 85 gr Sierra HP zipping along at 3,300 fps up through the various weights, 100 gr, 107 gr Match King, 120 gr, 129 gr, 140 gr, 142 gr Sierra Match King, and the Hornady 160 gr round nose. I have one addition bullet weight: 77 gr Norma FMJ Spire point. I don't think they market it anymore and certainly don't market it in the U.S. anymore. You can touch 3,500 fps with that dude. It puts a lot more wear and tear on the barrel, too. But it's fun.

In the 60s and 70s the Sierra 85 gr HP was made for about 2,700 fps. At 3,000+ it would sometimes/usually disintegrate about 50-75 yards out. You'd see a strange "cloud" and no bullet hit. That was the centrifugal force catching up and turning that solid object into near vapor. Sierra later thickened the jacket material.

"Commercial" m/96 actions are Husqvarna Model 46 (I think). They're identical to military actions. Not one whit of difference.

All Mausers are made from low carbon steel that is case hardened. Some of that case hardening is removed in the subsequent polishing of the receiver. The 03A3 and late 1903 Springfields used nickel steel. A whole different ballgame.

Hatcher's Notebook has some analysis of military rifle receivers including the Japanese Arisaka, Krag, Springfield, M1917, Garand and Gewehr 98 Mauser. It's worth seeking out (online PDF free!) and learning from an expert.

I preach prudence in handloading the m/1896 Mauser because most are near 100 years old. I'd like to think they'll make it to 200 yrs old if we don't destroy them trying to make them something they are not.

I have some chronograph readings from some older loadings that we clocked when I lived in Indiana. Fired from a 1902 Carl Gustaf m/96 with 29" barrel.

100 gr Hornady 49 grs H450 (now obsolete) 3,150 fps. Zippy. No pressure signs.

120 gr soft point unknown maker, 49 grs du Pont IMR3031 average 2,700 fps. This was an accurate load. For "target" ammo its hard to beat IMR3031 but the loads need to be on the low end for best accuracy, "match grade".

160 gr Hornady RN 42 grs H450 (somebody gave me a pound) 2397 fps. You can do quite a bit better than this by way of the Hodgdon Handloading Manual. About 2,520 fps is the high end velocity. Don't shy away from the 160 gr Round Nose. It's the bullet that gave the 6.5x55 its reputation for downrange penetration. It's also one of the highest BC of all small arms bullets up to .458 Magnum. I think its the 3rd highest after the .30 cal 200 gr Sierra Match King and one of the big long .45 rifle bullets.

m/41 Swedish military tracer: 2,659 fps average.

130 gr cast Lyman Loverin .266" 12 grs Unique: 1,724 fps.

140 gr Lyman Loverin .266" 10.5 grs Unique: 1,500 fps and very accurate. MOA. This is my standard load now with this bullet. Do it right and you can put 5 rds into one hole at 50 yds.

I offer all these because they're on the page in front of me and I always find exact figures to be more interesting than hearsay.

Dutch

[Calif-Steve]

I recall 4-5 years ago one of the ammunition manufacturers had a Swede M96 blow up in the test laboratory. I think(?) it was due to the bullet moving forward and stopping its progress in the throat area. The receiver could not hold it and blew. Not common, to say the least. A man whom I respect once told me Swedes are very easy to drill and tap. He always said they were soft steel, but I would expect stretching and not blow-ups. Very interesting photos. Thank you.

[jon_norstog]

Dutch,

whose blood is it in the first picture?

jn

[lamarpye]

Using Federal Fusion ammo cronographed at 2427 fps I was able to hit a pop can at 438yds. I'm falling in love with the 6.5 swede!

[Dutchman]

Dutch,

whose blood is it in the first picture?

jn

I would assume the shooter's blood. I tried to get more info on that one but as with most similar situations the absolute facts were too distant.

Dutch

[jon_norstog]

OK, man - I thought it might be yours! It looks a lot like my blowup - I was picking shrap out of my face and one eye for about a month. My ears are still ringing, 15 years later.

jn

[Calif-Steve]

Perhaps 4-5 years back Handloader Magazine had a 2-part article on the Swede blow-up. If I recall correctly it occurred at a ammunition manufacturer's test range. They were very concerned about the blow-up and did their best to figure it out. I think they felt the bullet moved forward upon firing and stopped its progress. The load built up behind the cartridge and the receiver let go. Handloader Magazine had neat articles 5 years ago, nothing like that today, however. You have to realize these are pre-WWI '96 Mausers. Nothing like a 1970 FN '98 Mauser.