Swedish 6.5x55 Ammo/Brass Help

[ProGun1]

Hello all,
I would like to collect ammo or just brass to reload for a Swedish m/96. Has anyone bought Igman ammo from AIM either in SP or FMJ? I did a search on the net and read where there were encounters with too small of a flash hole and the decapping pin stuck but that was posted several years back. I could just buy Lapua or Norma and start from scratch but I wanted to get loaded ammo for the same price and use the brass later of course. I read also that Igman was closest in specs as it relates to case sizing compared to US brass so another reason towards accuracy. Buying what remain of surplus was a thought but it's just as expensive as new ammo and harder to locate. Any suggestions or firsthand Igman usage opinions appreciated.

[richbug]

I have 5 rounds left out of 500 I bought from aim.

It isn't the best quality ammo accuracy wise, maybe 3 MOA on a good day in a 1 MOA rifle.

expect 1-5% of the cases to crack on the initial firing.

Small flash holes can be worked around by grinding down a decapping pin for the initial resizing, then drilling out the flash holes.

Heavy primer crimp.

Powder charges seem somewhat inconsistent, about 50% of the cases are sooty when extracted after firing. Some blow hot gases by into your face.




Summary, you can't buy bullets and brass for what the ammo sells for.....

[ramiller]

I bought Remington brass and I have had no problems with it.

[308bolt]

Ammoman has Federal 6.5x55, 500 rnds, for $300.00 delivered.
Pricey ammo but Federal is good brass.

http://www.ammoman.com/

[molychromeman]

GRAF and sons has Lapua 6.5X55 for $42.50 per hundred. This is probably the best 6.5 Swedish brass made in the world!

[shootist87122]

Lapua Brass, 139 Grain Lapua bullets and a (well under max) charge of RL22 will consistently shoot excellent groups in my Swedes. The Remington brass is probably the way to go (I've heard good things from several using it), at least to start. IIRC, the 139 Lapua bullets only get one production run per year and are not always available. Buy a BIG box.

Samco still had surplus, last time I looked, with the canvas belted being the cleanest. Federal Classic shoots good, btw, but you only get about 3 reoads (maybe 4) with the brass.

[gearlogo]

I loaded 6.5x55 for a long time. Back before the US ammo makers loaded it. I used Norma and Hansen cases. The Hansen brass is mil spec and still in use by me. The norma brass is soft. Today I would use Lapua cases they are tough and can handle hot loads and many many reloadings. I have Lapua 220 russian cases formed to 6ppc that have over 50 hot reloadings through them. Mind you now... this is in a BR chamber with only bare minimum resizing on the neck. Dont load SAAMI spec chamber fired brass that often

[ProGun1]

So reloading seems to be the way for me so far. I thought the Igman might be better in 4 years of the original post that referred to the flash hole size but I don't want to ream any flash hole inaccurately. I'm still a novice in reloading because I shoot mostly surplus and reload only for firearms I prize more or shoot less of. What I read further is that Lapua brass has a .08 larger base rim than US brass? Not an issue with a Swedish m/96 as it would be for a similar calibre US rifle I guess. Lapua is suppose to get up to 13 reloads as well? Maybe the rim thickness is substantial compared to US brass? That would justify the extra cost since I just want 200 rounds to start with. Thanks for the inputs. I appreciate the help in making my decision and shopping list.

[aardq]

Midway's latest flyer (arrived today) has Lapua brass at $51 per 100, or 500 Winchester cases for $163, both plus shipping. Then you have to buy bullets, brass and reload it. If the Federal loaded ammo is $300 for 500 rounds, that's a little less than what it will cost to buy the components and assemble the ammo. I'd buy the Federal and reload as needed later.

Dan

[TerryN]

Originally posted by ProGun1
So reloading seems to be the way for me so far. I thought the Igman might be better in 4 years of the original post that referred to the flash hole size but I don't want to ream any flash hole inaccurately. I'm still a novice in reloading because I shoot mostly surplus and reload only for firearms I prize more or shoot less of. What I read further is that Lapua brass has a .08 larger base rim than US brass? Not an issue with a Swedish m/96 as it would be for a similar calibre US rifle I guess. Lapua is suppose to get up to 13 reloads as well? Maybe the rim thickness is substantial compared to US brass? That would justify the extra cost since I just want 200 rounds to start with. Thanks for the inputs. I appreciate the help in making my decision and shopping list.

Lapua brass is made to the size that it's SUPPOSED to be; American-made brass is actually UNDERSIZE, because it was expedient to make it that way. Despite countless reports of people having 'no problems,' or it worked 'just fine' with Remchester brass, I prefer to use Lapua brass. Call me stubborn.

My Remchester brass always displayed noticeable expansion in the case head - something best avoided. Also recall that for decades, RCBS and others cautioned against forming 6,5X55 brass from .30-06 brass (with the .473" case head), because the head would expand more than was considered safe. So when Remington and Winchester finally began offering Swede brass, what did they do? Made it with the .473" case head (as opposed to the specified .480"). No thanks.

[mj2evans]

TerryN is RIGHT ON!!!! Cheapass American business is just sizing a 30-06 head to quasi 6.5x55 specs. I have used Rem brass in M96 without feed issues (some people have reported issues) but I plan to build a 6.5x55 rifle and the bolt face will be opened to the Europe (correct) size and I will use only the correct (nonUS) brass in the future. I realize this is a business decision for Rem and Win and maybe its not cost effective to have the 6.5x55 head size but its just flat out wrong.

[IO_Joe]

I've had good luck with the FNM/Privi/Wolf Gold ammo and brass in 6.5 Swede. I believe that Privi is the manufacturer for all 3 labels. It shoots ok and the brass seems to be pretty well made. I believe that Privi also manufactures the Grafs brass in the various European military calibers.

I've had mixed results with S&B brass. Some has lasted for a number of loads while others have had neck cracks after 1 or 2 loadings.

Lapua or Norma will likely be the "best" brass, although the Privi stuff seems good enough for me and my Swedes. I admit it, I can't shoot 1 MOA with my Mausers anyway!

BTW, if you do reload, the Remington 140 SPs are pretty good bullets for punching paper. They're not as sleek and pretty as the Lapua Scenar, Hornady A-MAX, or Sierra HPBTs, but don't cost quite as much either.

[ProGun1]

That should have been a question as well. I saw that SportsmansGuide sells boxer primed Wolf. Is it made closer to Swedish spec in regards to rim size and does the primer decap easily enough? It's around $11-12 a box from what I recall. A couple of labels seem to be made by one manufacture and I don't want to buy the more expensive Wolf just to end up with Igman brass.

[ppo84]

I have used Norma, Remington, Federal and Winchester brass for reloads/new hand loads with good results. Have some 6.5x55 Igman, but have never got around to shooting it(I can attest that their 308 does have the small flashhole issue). Aside from brass, one area most comerical 6.5x55 is lacking is that the projectiles are seated much too deeply for swede rifles. If you get some surplus ammo you will see this big difference in the two in this area . I use a surplus round to set my seating die by and have had much improved results in my m/96.

[ProGun1]

I think J&G Sales still has some surplus on hand. Another factor I didn't consider but learning as I go here. Thanks to all.

[shootist87122]

The Lapua 139s like to be seated long (3.100"), as attested to in the target below. Seirra 120s will shoot good in M96s (and prefer to be seated much shorter), however the lighter bullets won't hold up as well past 300 Yds in my experience.

The 139s also work best in my C.G. M96/38 and M38 Swede as well. [The powder charge I settled on is 44.1 grains of RL22. A near max charge shoots great too, but one of my rifles develops too much pressure at the high end.]

5 shots at 100 shot when changing my load to the heavier bullet:

[gearlogo]

The case head comments are true. I made some 6.5 out of 7x57 once. You can see the head expansion with your eye. I did not want to load it again. I would buy 50 Lapua cases to start you will not regret it. These cases are tough.

[ProGun1]

shootist87122,
That is a good testament. I saw that Midway sells two types of the 139gn Lupua Scenar bullets. Did you shoot the silver or gold ones? I don't have a range cleared out more than 100yds and they are a little pricey if I don't need them for close in shooting. Maybe the lesser 120's will suffice. Which Sierras were they as well? Also, did you neck size only or full length size since you shoot more than one Swede? Thank you.

[shootist87122]

ProGun1,

My 139 Lapuas are just the plain copper jacket version Scenar (HPBT) - I don't remember them being called either color.

The 120 Sierras I use are HPBT Match Kings - The load is 40.5 grains IMR4064 with those; COL is 3.010". The M41B will shoot them MOA to 300 Meters and the (iron sighted) M96 will shoot 'em batter than I can see with iron sights.

140 grain Sierra Match Kings will also do very well with the RL22 load I mentioned above. There is nothing wrong with using 140 grain Hornady SP bullets either, although I never tried them with RL22.

[shootist87122]

ProGun1,

My 139 Lapuas are just the plain copper jacket version Scenar (HPBT) - I don't remember them being called either color.

The 120 Sierras I use are HPBT Match Kings - The load is 40.5 grains IMR4064 with those; COL is 3.010". The M41B will shoot them MOA to 300 Meters and the (iron sighted) M96 will shoot 'em batter than I can see with iron sights.

140 grain Sierra Match Kings will also do very well with the RL22 load I mentioned above. There is nothing wrong with using 140 grain Hornady SP bullets either, although I never tried them with RL22.

Edit - Forgot to add: I full length resize. I don't have the die screwed down to the max, however. I "try" to keep the brass segregated to specific rifles.

[ProGun1]

Thanks again. Midway has everything I need to get started.

[Texasbubba]

I bought a couple hundred rounds of Igman 6.5 x 55 with the idea of recycling the brass. As previously stated, it's not very accurate.
As well as undersize flash holes you will also encounter metric primer pockets. They are just undersize enough to require reaming, or you will encounter difficulty seating the primers.
I gave up and bought Remington brass.

[ProGun1]

Thank you. That's enough testamony for me to pursue the handloading route.