Craig, this rifle is my first experience with this caliber, but I had very good results with the following: Norma case, Fed 210, 43 grs. WW760 , Sierra 120 gr spitzer; 41 grs. IMR 4064,Nosler Accubond 130 gr, and Sierra 120 gr. Spitzer. All shot under 1" @ 100 yds. I hope to do more shooting soon and may determine if one of these loads is better than the others. At this point I don't see a reason to try something else. Cheers.

Mine is a sporterized '96 Mauser. It's been quite a while since I've shot it, I should dust it off. I used some spitzers in it, but basically settled on 160gr. RN and they were seated out because of a really long throat. I don't have my old note books out, but I can recall IMR 4350 and 4831, Winchester primers and Norma cases. I'd look up my old overall lengths, but at this point I'd go back to the drawing board with newer data.

I like some of these cartridges that aren't really high pressure, much more pleasant to shoot in regard to muzzle blast. Obviously, mine isn't a long ranger, but it's accurate. For a long time, I've had the thought to try cast bullets it, the bore is good and it's more me. But, I almost picked up a modern 6.5 Creedmore hunting rifle last summer, go figure. Take care.

I have a few milsurp Swedes and also one of the guns Kimber was making up in the late 1990's. The US was flooded with M96 Swedes which, having seen very little use since Sweden was neutral in both World Wars, were in excellent condition. These were some of the nicest finished military guns ever made.

Kimber bought up a bunch and sporterized them, bent bolts, silver coating, plastic stocks, etc. If you bought them in 6.5 you got a turned down original military barrel. They were offered in the .308 line (.243, 7mm-08, .308) which got new barrels and were more expensive.

I got a 6.5 for less than $200 and it shoots within 1-2" with factory ammo. There were some reports about the .308 class having lug setback.

I have 3 of the 96's, a 94 that was bought for my Mother in the 60's and a couple of Norwegian Krags. They all shoot the 160 gr. RNSP Hornday so well that I haven't tried anything else. I did luck into 400 rounds of the Yugoslavian 139 gr. soft-point but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. Also have a couple of NOS barrels in case one ever gets worn out. LOL Great caliber that gets overlooked in the hype about the latest greatest 6.5 WC (Wonder Cartridge.)

I have to say, my Kimber with the 22" barrel sure turns heads when I touch it off, a loud BOOM, more than a rifle crack.

Here's some info about them from Chuck Hawkes if interested...


https://www.chuckhawks.com/kimber_swedish_mauser.htm