6.5x55 accuracy

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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings again,
There are two groups of causes for hang fires, primer problems and rifle problems. Primers can be old or have very hard cups as some military ammo intended for semi autos. We can't do much about these other than to avoid them. I would be interested to know if the round that hang fired was military, commercial or handload. The rifle problem is a weak firing pin strike. This can be caused by crud around the firing pin spring inside the bolt, a weak firing pin spring or the firing pin dragging on something like rust or excessive head space. The M38 Mauser is a cock on closing type with a long firing pin fall like the Lee Enfield. The spring can't be too strong otherwise it makes the action two hard to close. Some object to this and there is a kit to convert the rifles to cock on opening as mine has. The work to do this includes cutting a cocking ramp into the rear of the bolt. If this is not done properly a light firing pin strike and ignition problems can be the result.
Excessive head space is the result of setting the case shoulder back too far when full length resizing the case. For some reason (likely US arrogance) the US SAAMI headspace dimensions for the 6.5x55, 7x57 and likely others is significantly shorter than the European standards. There are two FL sixing dies in my collection. Both set the shoulder back far too far. For my M38 this amounts to 0.018" for the Redding dies and 0.022" for the Lyman rather than the desirable 0.002". Hornady sell an inexpensive head space comparator that clamps to the lower jaw of your callipers that is a great help in setting up the die not to set the shoulders back, Excess headspace can result in miss and hang fires by softening the firing pin fall and I wouldn't be surprised to find that is the problem here.
Regards Grandpamac.

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Crikey,your a wealth of knowledge!
It was one of the accurate handloads that came with the gun. I've fired a few more with no dramas so not really any the wiser. I'll definitely count to 10 if it happens again and open the bolt away from my face.

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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
Hang fires can be dangerous and were more common with old military ammo in the Lee Enfield. The process if the round does not go bang is to slowly count to ten while controlling muzzle direction before opening the bolt. It can be due to the ammo and sometimes the rifle as well including headspace. Will post on this further later in the day.
Regards Grandpamac.

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and also tip the rifle over when opening the bolt so the loading port is aimed at the ground not at the person on the mound beside you.

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Originally Posted by Percy Jones

and also tip the rifle over when opening the bolt so the loading port is aimed at the ground not at the person on the mound beside you.

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👍

I actually like cock on closing, it makes extraction and ejection easier and was chosen for some military rifles as it's less tiring to operate for a prolonged period which admittedly is unlikely for hunting. The other positive is when you remove the bolt the firing pin spring is not under firing tension. Springs can loose tension if kept under load for prolonged periods this saves you the drama of easing springs and then having to recock manually before replacing the bolt. The downside is that the action is akward to slowly and gently close chambering a round, it's designed to be worked briskly chambering and turning the bolt handle down in one single fluid movement.
Does your rifle still have the last round stop? Where the magazine follower rises up to prevent closing the bolt on an empty chamber. A useful function ensuring you load from the magazine. Oh and I'm a sucker for a nice two stage trigger as well.

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Originally Posted by Peter Adams

I just started opening the bolt to take shell out. Went off as I moved the bolt. I may of put it directly into the chamber. I wasn't aware you shouldn't load that way so have learnt something else today! Thank you

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Ive had that happen on an older rifle after it had been out in the rain a couple of days.
I think the trigger or firing pin had got hung up and was released when I moved the bolt a little.
In the meantime, take off the stock, clean trigger assembly and bolt with a light oil like CRC 5.56 and blow out with compressed air. Needs to go to a gunsmith soon. People here will suggest one who is good with Carl Gustav.

Always point a firearm in a safe direction.

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Originally Posted by Peter Adams

The Hornadies wouldn't consistently hit a cardboard box

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You need to know roughly what the group size is in cm at 100m and that the Hornady is properly zeroed so it has a chance. How big was the cardboard box ?

Also when investigating accuracy problems its good to shoot another known accurate rifle on the same day to prove its the rifle / ammo not you. A 22 at 25m is fine for this.


What gear are you using ? Bipod or sandbag or special adjustable target rest ? Leather rear sand bag or just your hand on the ground ? That can make the difference between 60mm and 30mm at 100m.


How many shots per group ? If its only 3 then the size can vary heaps; 50mm one time and 100mm the next.


Its quite hard to say one rifle or ammo is truly more accurate than another unless you’re systematic and shoot off a good number of rounds eg 2x5 shot groups of each on paper.

Hi Peter
I have 4 swedes, from an 1899 M96 to a 1942 M38 all in original military configuration. They are very accurate rifles that group in 1-1.5” @100m with hand loads and not much worse with factory. Norma factory ammo is worth a look but I handload for my Swedes. I have been using Norma 204 powder but am changing as I find it very dirty burning. Going to 2209, I would be going to RL17 but it’s too hard to get still and am saving that for my 300WSM. Any powder in that range is what you need. I’ve used Sierra Matchking which are good as are Hornady ELDM’s. I use ELDX for hunting. I have a mate who also uses 2209 in his Swede also in his CG63 target rifle.
PM me if you’d like.
Cheers
Craig

I have nothing to add to this thread other than to say .
“ Jeez I love my 6.5 x 55 Tikka “
It just works for me and does everything I need without fuss or bother .
I also have a 6.5 CM , so I feel qualified to say “ Those Swede’s were years ahead of the game “

:thumbsup: