Conference foundr::firearms

     I just got one of my Swede's back from the 'smith.  I had a Timney trigger
added and had the receiver drilled & tapped for a scope on an m96/38 (1900). 
I've mounted a Redfield 3x9x40mm Tracker scope on it.

    I'm now looking to work up an accuracy load.  More or less based on an
article in recent Shooting Times, I've chosen IMR4831 as my powder (abitrarily
choose case, primer and bullet then pick a powder whose MAX load fills the 
case.)  I'm working up to shoot a Remington 140gr PSP bullet from
Remington-Peters casings. 

    I see many of the reloading books have data for Hogdon's H4831 instead
of IMR's 4831.  The relative powder burn rates list the IMR as a little bit
faster (there are 3 or 4 powders listed between them.) Some of the books list
the same MAX loads for both powders; others do not. There seems to be a lot more
published data on the H4831. The newer Speer book lists a MAX load of 46gr
where an older book lists 47gr as MAX. 

   I have loaded up 5 rounds each of 39gr, 41gr, 43gr, 45gr, and 47gr.  My
concern is that the 47gr is going to be too hot.  Any comments about the
differences in the two versions of 4831? Is data for one useable for the other?
Is there any problem in using the published MAX loads in a military receiver
(using commercial brass)? Anything I should be especially watchful for as I
shoot these 5 groups of five rounds (looking for the most accurate)? I hate
to damage a gun I just put some much money into, let alone my face which will
only be a few scant inches from the action...

Hoping to get a first try on this rifle this weekend...

thanks,

Al

Al,
	A friend of mine has a 6.5x55 swedish military rifle
we reloaded alot for him and we found IMR4350 is great. He
likes the accuracy and velocity he gets out of it. the bullets 
used were 120gr and 140gr. The rifle is a great shooter and the
cartridge itself is like shooting a 223. Great choice for a deer 
rifle  if only the brass wasn't so expensive.

JC

    
     Al,
    
       I've had good results in my Swedish Mausers with Hodgdon H414.
     Using the load data from Speer #12.
    
     I worked up loads with both 120 & 140 grain SPBT bullets and it 
     seemed no matter how hot or mild I loaded them they grouped well.
    
     I watched for marks on the case head from the extractor for a sign
     of pressure.  When I saw the mark I would consider .5 gr below that
     as my max load.
    
       Good luck & enjoy...
    
         George
    

<rifle  if only the brass wasn't so expensive.

The Remington-Peaters or Winchester brass is only about $23/100 from Midway.
A while back all you could find was the Norma Brass at $1 each, but now it's
much better...

Al

   Took it out this week-end and shot the various loads I had manufactured.

I seemed to have the tightest groups with the rounds loaded with 43gr of
IMR4831 (of my handloads) but the best performance of the day came from the
Military surplus rounds which grouped just over MOA at 100yds. Even the
Winchester 140gr SP hunting loads grouped tighter than the best I did this time
around.  I'll go back and load in .2gr increments between 41 gr and 45 gr to
see if I can find a nice tight group... 

I'll try to be a bit more careful with case prep for this next series of loads.


Al