Anyone have a Swedish Mauser?

[Guvnor]

Im a history buff and I really want to get an old milsurp bolt action. However, problem is im recoil sensitive due to a shoulder injury from a few months ago. Its mostly healed now but I want to be careful to avoid having it flare back up. Biggest gun ive tried shooting since recovering is a .410 shotgun with a light load of birdshot which wasnt a problem.

I would love to get a mosin, 98K mauser, enfield, etc. but they would kick the crap out of me.

Then I stumbed upon the 6.5x55 M96 swedish mauser. A big, long, 9 pound gun and according to the recoil table ive looked up, the 6.5x55 has at least 1/3 less recoil than the 7.62x54/.303/8mm. Im thinking the M96 with a good recoil pad might be just the ticket.

But you dont hear nearly as much about these Swedes as you do the others. I noticed they are pretty pricey compared to the other milsurp guns.

Are they good guns and would it be a good investment?

Is 6.5x55 ammo readily available?

Thanks!

 

[geojap]

Nope, none of us.

You just need to do some searches in regards to your questions. The answers are all there. The ammo is available but expensive. Swedes are about the best Mausers available. Try and find one in excellent or very good condition. You will love the craftsmanship.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/6_5x55_Swede.html

 

[lionking]

Recoil is relatively light.They are excellent rifles within the milsurp domain.Ammo is readily available most everywhere.I know some consider $10 to $12 a box as expensive,but it is no more expensive to alot of other calibers save maybe Russian 7.62x54.

Here are mine,I average 2 inches @ 100yds with factory ammo but sometimes closer to 3 when I'm off.Swedes these days are not bargain priced,but they aren't that expensive either depending unless you are looking at a special model.A nice one can be found for around $275 to $400 or maybe less if you find a decent sale.

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa45/lionking_rocks/swedish 1915 m96 gustav/

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa45/lionking_rocks/swedish 1916 m96 gustav/

 

[mongo4567]

They are great guns. Fairly light recoil for a milsurp, yet a very effective round. They are also extremely accurate, haven't seen one that wasn't easily capable of 2 MOA or better...most will shoot 1 MOA with open sights. The Swiss and the Swede rifles are the best in my mind. They are built with much better fit and finish than your traditional milsurp.

 

[lionking]

mongo,most will shoot 1 MOA?,you mean with handloads right?Some are better shooters than others,I certainly don't claim to be a expert but a few others who are experts told me the only way they get such tight groups out of their Mauser is with their handloads.

 

[Uncle Meat]

When I spend time at the range, I end up shooting my Swede's more than any other rifle I own.
They are my favorite with the
Swiss rifles coming in at #2.

Their accuracy makes me look good!

 

[Gambit]

I have one that I left in original condition. It is beautiful, all matching and in about 92% condition.

I also picked a real beater, matching numbers, with parts of the stock rotted and no finish left on the metal. I did a little customizing on this one and it looks fine now.

Both have excellent bores.



The former beater, is the more accurate of the two, and with handloads, will group under 2" all day long. In the hands of a good competitive shooter, I'm sure it would do better.

My most accurate hunting loads are with Sierra 120 gr Pro-Hunters and fly along at a little over 2900 fps. The Game-King 140's also provide great accuracy at a little lower velocities.

You can't go wrong.

 

[mustang 22]

I have delt with a lot of different Mausers and the M-96 swede comes in very high on my list. The ammunition is readily available, milsurp or sporting, recoil is negligible and accuracy is good. The sights on the swede Mausers are, imho the best of all the milsurp Mausers. You would be pleased. Like an earlier post said, good ones can be found in the $200 to $400 range.

 

[paradox998]

I have a Swede, great shooting rifle, but a stout recoil. Samco usually has ammo for the Swedes at pretty reasonable prices. The standard iron sights are set to shoot about a foot high at 100 yards. The rear sights go out to 2000 yards if memory serves. They definitely planned to long range battles with these rifles.

 

[Deckard]

I know some consider $10 to $12 a box as expensive

Where? I haven't seen surplus 6.5x55 anywhere and the new stuff is $20 or more per box.

 

[lionking]

Deckard,geojap posted a link above showing aimsurplus which has PP (good ammo) at under $12 a box.In fact I just ordered some from them.Other ammo sellers have it to.Samco has surplus which I think is Hirtenbuger ammo,it has tarnishing on the casings but shoots fine,and Hiternburger is non corrosive.Not sure if that is what Samco has though.

As far as Swedes shooting high,mine shoot dead on at 100yds with original sights,although at tngunparts and Samco online you can order a tall sight if need be.

http://www.tngunparts.com/Catalogue.htm

 

[HorseSoldier]

Great rifles, and pretty modest recoil compared to 7.62x51, 30-06, etc. Mine is a very nice shooter and yields what I'd consider very good accuracy.

On the issue of the guns shooting high, I seem to recall that there is an issue with original pattern sights being set up for round nose ammo and the different trajectory of more modern spitzer ammo.

 

[Gelgoog]

swedish mausers are pretty awesome. I have a M/96 that was carbinized...sure some might bitch about it being altered, but was done so in such a nice was to look like it was actually a factory job. It is by far my favorite of the dozen mausers I have.

 

[Tamlin]

I found a sporterized 1894 carbine that I LOVE. (I know - would it were a stock configuration. . . ) but it shoots wonderfully without significant recoil. Ammo is not any more expensive than other comparable rounds. Hunting rounds are less than my 7 Mag ammo, and the cheap FMJ target rounds (Wolf Gold) are around $15/box of 20. Love the gun.

 

[Storm]

I just picked up a 1902 in very nice condition (Swedish Mausers tend to be in nice condition) and haven't shot it yet. I did pick up a cleaning rods for it as well as a sight hood and a cap for the barrel thread. From what I hear the Swede is the nicest shooter of the lot. The craftsmanship is wonderful.

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you really want the "best" swedish mauser, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the M-41 sniper rifle.

they were hand selected, from the regular runs, for their inherent accuracy and then given additional attention.

usually very well taken care of when issued and they come with their matching scope

 

[Doogledog]

The first bolt action rifle I ever bought was an 1899 Carl Gustov. I killed my first deer with that rifle. I can easily get 1" MOA out of it with the correct factory ammo. Mine really likes 140 gr Winchester for some reason. Modern factory stuff doesn't kick that bad but I got a hold of some military surplus stuff that makes it kick like a .300 Mag. Before you buy make sure you research the data disc. I got lucky with mine. It has an excellent bore.

 

[Float Pilot]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=30826

Some of my groups might be on that thread. I wish I had discovered Swede Mausers much earlier in life and not wasted my time on some of the other junk I have bought.....

 

[Deckard]

if you really want the "best" swedish mauser, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the M-41 sniper rifle.

Good luck with the lottery. Those are in the nosebleed category.

Before you buy make sure you research the data disc.

The disc will only show the condition the bore was in when last it was looked over by a Swedish armorer. Needless to say it could be out of date.

 

[jkingrph]

They are great guns. Fairly light recoil for a milsurp, yet a very effective round. They are also extremely accurate, haven't seen one that wasn't easily capable of 2 MOA or better...most will shoot 1 MOA with open sights. The Swiss and the Swede rifles are the best in my mind. They are built with much better fit and finish than your traditional milsurp.

I have to second everything said here, I have about six ea of the Swedes and Swiss. In a comparable size weight rifle the Swede is a bit milder in the recoil area, Get a slightly shorter mod 38 ( mod 96 shortened by about six inches or so and) and the recoil goes up a bit.

Of all that I have, a 1911 Swiss is the most accurate. A 1900 Swiss made by Mauser Oberndorf( German made) and convertet to Mod 38 standards is the handiest to carry.

The Swedes are a bit sleeker and less bulky and are easier to carry. Either is an excellent gun, but if recoil is an issue go with the Swede.

One of the primary advantages of guns from these countries is that they were never used in armed conflict and wear is only from training and not combat.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Good luck with the lottery. Those are in the nosebleed category.

they aren't that bad...they are still less than $1300 and you can get one without a scope for less than $700.

considering their rarity, that's a better but than an Enfield #4 (T)

 

[mongo4567]

mongo,most will shoot 1 MOA?,you mean with handloads right?

I mean with quality ammunition and good eyes. The Swede surplus ammo is near match grade.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

The first bolt action rifle I ever bought was an 1899 Carl Gustov.

My first bolt action rifle purchase was a 1901 Carl Gustav. Still have it. Wouldnt dream of getting rid of it. I absolutely love it; it is a pussycat to shoot, and very accurate.

Where? I haven't seen surplus 6.5x55 anywhere and the new stuff is $20 or more per box.

I have no idea where you are shopping, but commercial 6.5 x55 can be had for ~12-13 bucks a box.
Keystone Arms (the bottom link) has it for under 10 bucks a box. As with any caliber, you can spend as much as you want on match grade, custom loaded ammo, but range/plinking ammo can be had reasonably.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/6_5x55_Swede.html

http://wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=18|830|857

http://www.keystonearms.com/ammo.html

 

[Slamfire]

Swedish Mausers are well built, recoil is less than a M1903 Springfield, but it still has a kick.



A one MOA service rifle is the exception rather than the rule. Mine shoots well enough with ball ammo.

 

[Deckard]

I know for a fact that my 1904 Carl Gustav is more accurate than I can shoot it. A friend of mine just got back from a tour with the Marines in Iraq a couple months ago and put some rounds through my rifle. He's a designated marksman in the corps and was getting MOA groups out of her with ease. He's a big fan of black "tacticool" rifles, but by the end of the day I think the swede made a convert out of him.