6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

[ranger1183]

I didn't want to stomp on another thread so here goes.

For all of you who are looking for an inexpensive rifle to get started in long range shooting, I recommend you try out surplus <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #3333FF">Swedish Target rifles</span></span></span>.

Simpson Ltd located in Galesburg, IL has some of these in stock. If you go to their website http://www.simpsonltd.com/ and type in "CG" in the search box, you will get a list of over 60 target rifles. Prices start at $595 and go as high as $1,295.

For those of you who don't know, "CG" stands for Carl Gustaf who made some of the finest rifles of his day.

Example of one search:
http://www.simpsonltd.com/advanced_searc...amp;x=9&y=8

Good Shooting!

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

Thanks for the thread (and the link)!

I read the other thread on barrel length, and got really intrigued by the CG 63. I had not heard of that rifle before...

I just finished "sporterizing" (I hate that term for some reason) a 91/30 and it's a solid 1-2 MOA rifle (with handloads, natch). Not much to speak of on a precision rifle forum, but cool nonetheless.

It gives me an opportunity to "DIY" to a large extent, without having all the heavy equipment (and knowledge) of a gunsmith. Milsurps like this give those of us that want something "different" in a rifle an interesting option to just buying a Savage,Howa, or Rem. Even though it'll probably cost the same- or more- and be less accurate, it'll be unique...

I'm looking for the next "build"- and was planning on using the M/96 barreled action. I know the CG 63 is an "accurized" M/96- but I read somewhere that they used a different, "heavy" barrel.

I'm interested in milsurps for shooting- not collecting. In the case of my 91/30, when I shoot out the barrel, I can get a new hand-picked action with a nice shiny "shooter" bore for under $100...

Lothar Walther sells M/96 barrels for $250; so if the CG uses that barrel it wouldn't be a problem. If not, it would be more of a collector's rifle and not the weekend shooter I'm looking for.

Any idea?

 

[ranger1183]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

Call and talk to Greg. He was very helpful on the phone to me. When I see a match rifle that has the description of "Excellent Bore", I normally jump at that. Heck, even if it doesn't meet your exact standards, selling it at a gun show should be pretty easy.

 

[Marksman]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

I still kick myself for not buying one of these years ago when Sarco had them for $595 complete. I agree that they are great rifles, but they are pretty much built for 300 yard matches.

 

[Cegorach]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

Those look pretty neat. Do you have any idea about the twist rate? Also, are these actions strong enough for modern loads?

 

[Anachronist]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

So that's where the target rifles of my youth went

It's for all intents and purposes an m/96 mauser in a better stock with target sights. I don't know if they're bedded into those stocks, but I want to say no. With TLC they're accurate. They were used for 300 meter (330 yds) competition on bullseye targets and "field shooting" which is "over there is your target. Estmate range and fire" out to 600 (660 yds) meter or thereabouts. The peep sight is probably marked with range in meters and if you're in luck there are two or three different scales that can be replaced depending on ammunition.

If I was going to buy one I'd keep it as-is. For a project gun, an original m/96 would work just as well if you can find one in good shape and it would probably be cheaper (?)

As for pressure. The popular answer is "it's been done a million times and nothing happened", the engineering answer is "not really". Out of my head they're built for a lower max pressure than the modern CIP standard and the original army bores can be on the tight side. This is all out of my head while sitting in an airport, so more research is indicated.

For loading to original performance levels it's an outstanding blast from the past. If you want to push the 6.5x55 to be "I wanted a 6.5x284 but this is what I got", then another action is indicated.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

I agree. Like the M28/76 target rifles, best left original- trying to moderinize or accurize just makes them another bare action starting over. Interesting that these are already "modified" milsurps to begin with.

Husqvarna had their run with them in 44-45, and the CG/63 (by CG, natch) in the early '60's. From what it says here, the CG's did have modified, heavy barrels.

https://www.northcapepubs.com/swmauser.htm

It would be fun to take one of CG's that are missing the sights and slap on a Vortex...but I still think $750 is too pricey for an incomplete rifle.

I need to research the 6.5 x 55 vs the 8 x 57 and go from there.

 

[Anachronist]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

Lots of people bought m/96 rifles from our counterpart of your DCM program and rebuilt them into either CG63s (which is what's on the picture) or CG80s which was the same barreled action with a more modern stock.

A fairly common entry level alternative was to just take an m/96, have a gunsmith mount a peep sight on it, cut the stock in front of the forward sling mount and free-float the barrel. I got started on one of those.

here's a link that lists the variations pretty thoroughly http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/rifles_se.htm

One thing they don't mention is that the Sauer STR replaced m/96 for that kind of competition, and the Swedish Army started down the road that later became the Accuracy Intl. AW.

 

[Spuhr]

Re: 6.5x55mm Swede surplus target rifles

63, 80 and 89 stands for the year when the Swedish Shooting assosiation approved them.
There is a tremendous differance in stocks betwen the different variations and the 80 and 89 are really good prone stocks.
The 63 aint that nice.
The CG80 orignally had a 24" barrel compared to the 30" of the CG63. Later the CG80 was sold with 30" barrels as well.

Norma is loading very good ammo that they still are beeing used with, called Norma Diamond Line Fält with a 130 gr VLD.
velocity is around 3000 fps.

Håkan