M1896 Swedish Mauser

6.5x55

This is one of the few perfectly good milsurp rifles that I sporterized. Back when wholesale on M96 Swedes was in the 60-80$ range, I bought 4 of them. I picked the worst of them to sporterize. It had an arsenal repaired stock that was well dinged up, the rear reciever had two holes in it, filled with brass plugs, and the disc indicated a condition "3" bore. At that time I had no idea that the "3" of the Swedes was often better than many other countries new rifles in terms of accuracy. The modifications are simple on this one: I replaced the arsenal repaired stock with a used one picked up at a gunshow, added the Holden Ironsighter see through scope mounts, had the smith bend the bolt, and added sling swivels and a Harris bipod. I added a Tasco 4x16 HighCountry scope. I bore sighted it, and after just three shots of factory Remington loads, I began grinning like an idiot. I knew I had a winner. Click here to see my targets shot w/ handloads. So a total investment of $300, including the scope and bipod, I have the most accurate rifle I have ever fired. I can regularly womp groundhogs (and one coyote!) out two 250-275 yards. I dream of taking this out west someday for some prairedog shooting at 300-500 yards.

This target is typical for this particular Swedish M96 rifle. I can usually group my best loads  with almost all shots touching, though it seems to always throw one off, like #5 below. Still, who would expect this accuracy from a 100 year old $75 rifle @ 100 yards?

This load was 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, 43gr of IMR 4895 powder, PMC brass & winchester WLR primers. Lee Factory Crimp Die.

The two targets below were shot with Federal 140gr factory loads. Both at 100 yards. The wider group shot with the aftermarket flashhider installed, the narrow group with it removed. What a difference that makes, huh?