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6.5x55 Swedish Rifle
uni82
Member Posts: 416 ✭✭
I have a rifle that was given to me not so long ago. It is a 6.5X55 Swedish. It reads Carl Gustafs Stads Gev?rsu(e)aktori 1903. The (e) means that it either could be an su or an se written, someone decided to drill and tap for scope mounts and the hole is right there. Also they were drilled and tapped incorrectly and is cantered. It has a ram line stock. The gun has been sporterized but fires great and is really accurate with open irons.
My initial question is, what do I have here? Is it worth anything? Can I get a wood stock for it anywhere or would it be better to carve one myself? All the numbers match, but I think I'm going to fill in the holes, re-drill and re-tap. The bolt has also been cut and angled to accept a scope. Thanks!
-JD
My initial question is, what do I have here? Is it worth anything? Can I get a wood stock for it anywhere or would it be better to carve one myself? All the numbers match, but I think I'm going to fill in the holes, re-drill and re-tap. The bolt has also been cut and angled to accept a scope. Thanks!
-JD
Comments
-JD
-JD
Swedish Mausers enjoy a reputation for accuracy among military bolt actions.
Sweden was unusual in issuing rifles and light machine guns in one caliber and heavy machineguns in another. They had a copy of the Browning BAR in 6.5. Their heavy machine guns were in an 8mm caliber which was bigger than 7.9x57 and the support crews got '98 pattern rifles with muzzlebrakes in the same caliber.
The 6.5X55 is supposed to be an easy kicker. It's a lighter caliber than those which were supposed to double as long range machinegun cartridges or aircraft armament.
There are also aftermarket wood sporter stocks being made that are known as "semi-inlet" stocks. Most of those will require some fitting depending upon who made it. They will also require finishing. Boyds may even have a drop-in.
As to the scope base holes. IF they are simply canted yet still on center you may be able to use Burris Signature rings. These use an offset nylon insert which can compensate for base/ring misalignment and would be much prefered to plugging/drilling.
If the holes are to far off they can readily be filled. You will first need screws that are extra long (they are going to be cut off). Clean all oils out of the holes and off of the screws and then wind them in Tight. Next, cut the screws off about a 1/16" above the receiver surface. Using a large blunt punch peen the ends of the screws down nearly level with the surface, then file and polish the remainder down level.
Bear in mind, this will not work if the holes are not off by at least 3/4 of their diameter. It is prefered if you don't have to drill into the plugs at all.
Fix your rifle the way that suits you and enjoy both the experience and the hunting afterwards.
You can find sporter stocks in wood at Brownells and Richard's Microfit. There is a pretty good synthetic model from Bell and Carlson which has the bedding block in a standard sporter stock. It is a drop in for the Swedish M96/38 with the military barrel.
Best.