6.5x55 Swede Turkish

tocamoha

I bought this recently on GB.It was made in Turkey in 1943.Its been sporterized very nicely.Is it safe for the higher end handloads?

rufe-snow

Take to a competent gunsmith for a chamber cast, headspace check, inspection and test firing. We have no way of knowing the quality of the materials and workmanship used to sporterize the rifle. Some of those early Turk actions, date to the 1890's.

ern98

Aside from the possible issues of gunsmith error or war damage the receivers of the later production Turkish Mausers were all a true Mauser 98s and fully capable of handling everything that that the 6.5x55swede can take. If the smith screwed up then all bets are off. If the original rifle was in a burning building or some other hot situation then the heat treat on the action may have been damaged then likewise. If you are concerned then the advise of a good gun smith is a wise course to persue. But remember that Mauser 98 actions are regularly built to handle magnum pressures and those easily exceed the swede even in it's +P loadings. The easiest way to determine if it is a true Mauser 98 action is to pull the bolt and see if it has a third recoil lug just foward of the bolt handle. Mauser 93 and other small ring actions only have the two opposing lugs at the front of the bolt. If the bolt has the rear mounted third lug it is a true M98. Good luck.....

nononsense

tocamoha,

"Is it safe for the higher end handloads?"

We can't determine if a firearm is safe simply by you asking the question on a forum. This requires a hands-on examination. You need to take the rifle to a gunsmith and have it examined thoroughly in order to make sure it will be safe.

Best.

jonk

Let's put it this way- any Turkish action, including the 93, is fine for the 6.5X55 cartridge if in good shape. Whether yours is safe we can't determine without seeing.