Nomercy

Jake, I don't know that the swede is "inherently accurate", I would assume it is, but I've not shot it nor seen it fired from any of the "modern guns". Mausers are prone to being quite accurate, so it's a possibility that the gun is doing more than the round, however, I've always associated the 6.5x55swede with uncanny and EASY accuracy. The Mausers, even sporterized are heavy, and rather long, so they're typically quite shootable, so the gun might play AS MUCH a part of the accuracy as the round, and it's kind of an "off-populus" round, so usually only experienced shooters ever handle one (you know guys who aren't afraid of "metric calibers")...

I personally would say it IS inherently accurate, but what is the true determinant factor of "inherent accuracy"? I've just always thought of it as being on average very accurate in most guns, while like I said, I've only ever handled them in the Mausers (and one CZ)

James B

I have one more that is sporterized except does not have the cock on opening kit and still has the military stock. I also have a 96 that is still all military including sling and bayonet. It also has a flash suppresser still on it. It was the best one of the ones I have and still has about 98 percent original Blue. The thing that always impressed me about the 6.5x55 is the utter lack of recoil for the what it offers in knock down power. I quess the weight of the rifle is some of the reason but its just a gentle gun to shoot.

Briman

I don't know if the 6.5x55 is more inherently accurate than most other cartridges or if it had more to do with the quality of the rifles chambered int he cartridge.

1896 swedish rifles were built to standards far higher than most rifles are today.
The kind of things you find in a m96 are what you find in high end custom rifles made today:
actions that are straight and squared.
barrles that are installed square to the reciever and bolt face
piller bedded action
carefully inletted and fitted stocks
barrels that under go tight QC- the bores were guaged then hand lapped after installation


I also understand that the 7.62x54R cartridge is considered to have really good inherent accuracy, though its reputation isn't quite as well known proably becuase most of the rifles chambered in that cartridge are of marginal quality.

James B

I have a 7.62x54 as well. This rifle was made by Sako and is also very accurate. I agree that the main reason for the accuracy of the 6.5x55 is due to the excellent Swedish mauser which most of them are chambered in. I did have the 700 Remington Classic the year they chambered it in 6.5x55. It shot real well but all of the Remington rifles I have had(and thats many) have been quite accurate. The low recoil adds to the shootability of the 6.5x55.

denmark the Great

Here in Denmark, just a few years back, the m 96 in 6.5x55 could be picked up for
around 80$ in original condition, the same gun today would cost approx 150$.
People are beginning to see a really good gun for no money.
I am collecting original oberndorf Mauser sporting rifles and they go for about
500$ (if you can find them)!!
Millitary ammo is flowting overhere for all kinds of 2ndWW guns, even though
the swedish didn`t enter the war, ammo was smuggled from sweden to people who had
m96 rifles.

James B

Interesting. Yes its a great gun for the money. When we bought them we gave about 65.00 for them.