Compiled by Alexander Eichener
c96@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
In order to complement the list of available 7,62 x 53/54 R factory loads which I had compiled for the rec.guns FAQ in the last year (its URL is
here is a list for the popular Swedish 6,5 mm Mauser cartridge. Frequent queries in rec.guns shows that a need might exist for it. Military surplus ammunition has not been included, for lack of reliable information. Availability changes every week.
Notice: some of my data may be withered. Please be as kind as to supply corrections and additions, where applicable.
The velocity is given *either* in fps or metres/sec. You can easily figure out which is which :). The two figures refer to v-0 and v-100 in yards and metres respectively.
1) FEDERAL (1995)
- "Premium" 140 gr. / 9,07 g Nosler Partition 2550 2350
- "Classic" 140 gr. / 9,07 g Hi-Shok Soft Point 2600 2400
2) FNM / Indep (Portugal) (1996)
- "Target" 143 gr. / 9,3 g FMJ 760 710
3) HORNADY (1996)
- They allegedly offer a LiteMag hunting load with a soft point bullet.
Warning: do NOT use in the Ljungman semiautomatic rifle. This may
damage gun and/or shooter.
Due to the slow burning rate, the LiteMag might work better in the
m/96 long rifle (and the m/41(B)) than in the m/96/38 and m/38 short
rifles or even (gasp) in the m/94 carbines.
4) LAPUA (1993/96) Attention: in brackets are new velocity data of 1996 !
- 100 gr. / 6,5 g FMJ 770 656
(830 711)
- 108 gr. / 7,0 g Scenar (HPBT) 860 751
(900 837)
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g Scenar (HPBT) 850 803
(800 754)
(850 803)
- 144 gr. / 9,3 g FMJBT 780 733
(not listed 1996)
(this one also marketed by German SK as "Zenith")
- 155 gr. /10,1 g Mega 797 719
(same data)
(Back in 1991, Lapua still offered two loads in 6,5 x 55 Krag, which
also had brass cases different from the Swedish ones. Data were
identical to the 6,5 g FMJ and the 9,3 g FMJBT.)
5) NORMA (1996)
(Hunting loads:)
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g PSP ("roe deer load") 770 701
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g Vulkan 870 775
- 140 gr. / 9,1 g Nosler 850 784
- 156 gr. /10,1 g Alaska 780 676
- 156 gr. /10,1 g Vulkan 806 723
- 156 gr. /10,1 g Oryx (NEW in 1996)
(Jaktmatch practice ammo:)
discontinued the first one:
((- 80 gr. / 5,2 g FMJ 905))
- 100 gr. / 6,5 g HP 800 710
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g FMJ "Elektron" 800 750
(Target and Match ammo:)
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g New Silvertorped 800
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g Bahnelite 800
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g Feldtelite 850
- 130 gr. / 8,4 g Diamond Line Bahn 800
- 130 gr. / 8,4 g Diamond Line Feldt 900
- 130 gr. / 8,4 g Bahn VLD 800-830
- 130 gr. / 8,4 g Feldt VLD HP 880
- 100 gr. / 6,5 g Bahn/Rekrutt HP 800
(Erik Lindhagen has called Norma and confirms
- straight from the horse's mouth - that this
latter load is not identical to the Jaktmatch one,)
6) PMC - ELDORADO (1994)
The information about PMC has been temporarily removed pending an
update by the author.
7) REMINGTON (1995)
- 140 gr. / PSP Core-Lokt 2550 2353
8) RWS (1994)
- gr. / 6,0 g Scheibengeschoss 910 735
9) SAKO (1992 ?)
- 139 gr. / 9,0 g Soft Point 870 805
10) SELLIER & BELLOT
I have seen their 6,5x55 load offered in "Shotgun News"; in Germany,
neither Frankonia nor Kettner stock it, and my old S&B catalogue does
not show this calibre. Advertised as:
131 gr. / Soft Point
11) WINCHESTER (1995)
- 140 gr. / Soft Point 2550 2359
Well, you see there is some choice to select from :-)