[Mark Harlin Chaney]

I haven't shot my M/96 much. It's pretty much been a safe queen. It's in very good condition, so what would be the best ammo to start out with to see just how accurate she is? It would need to be soft point or hollow point as that's all the local range allows. Thanks in advance!

 

[FlipFlop]

I reload mine for good accuracy. Gets some of the Igman or Wolf and try that. You certainly need to take it to the range because the M96 is a real sweet shooter.

 

[mauserdoc]

consistency

is usually found in hand loads. The more quality and consistent ammo is, the more accuracy. The most accuracy from out of the box for me has been lapua match. I am sure hand loads will be much better with tailoring to your gun. They are the only way to go with a lot of guns. One I have has different throat dimensions than a standard swedish mauser, and long 107 grain bullets sticking way out of lapua brass were the ticket. That wouldn't have worked in a m96 because of bullet jump, grains, powder burn isses etc--you don't want to stop you light bullet for a second and blow up the gun with the old high pressure phenomenon.


I bought 1500 rounds of fnm when it was 5$ a box. On 500 rounds of that, I got out scales and mics and found that the ammo that was more uniform was more accurate. The same is true of 22 ammo that you sort out. You can get it that way with money or handloading.


Mauserdoc

 

[benogi]

twist rates

Others will know much more than I do, I had read the M96 has a 1:7.5 twist rate, designed for the 156 grain M94 rounds. The new Tikka's have a 1:9 twist rate, for better results with the 140 grain. If so, it is something to consider in the accuracy department.

Ben

 

[RH7777]

We have done extensive testing with M96s, M41bs, M38 with every ammo available over the last few years. Lots of different rifles with exc. bores, crowns, trigger pull, no throat erosion, and bedded properly.

The Hirtenberger 160 grain SP from CIA is hands down the most consistant and accurate in all Swedesl we tested.

It is the ammo of choice for those that use the Swedes for hunting in our club.

Our more talented shooters can do one ragged hole at 100 yds. on a good day. To take out the human factor as much as possible, we used bench rests also.

If anyone needs serious accuracy, I would highly recomend buying a box or two to test it in your rifle. It is $16 per box, which is cheap compared to other quality ammo on the market. Lapua is very expensive, but in the ball park also.

We have never found this ammo anywhere else. Century seems to be the only source.

Only those who have tried it and had different results should respond with the B.S. routine.

Of course custom hand loads are as good. This is comercial ammo that I am refering to.

Ingman, Wolf, various Hotshot (century house brand) are not even close to Hirtenberger. Others are OK for plinking only.

 

[viking52]

Winchester silver box 140 gr soft point ammo can shoot 1.0-1.5 inches at 100 yards. I hope to try the Hirtenberger 160 gr.

The Swede military 139 FMJ(steel core) is at least capable of about one inch at 100 yards. It is also the most elegant looking round I have ever seen. The brass cases have a heat signature that makes me think they have been annealed. Swedes make great stuff.

 

[RH7777]

The Winchester ST SP in .303 is the most accurate ammo we have found for Enfields. I agree it is also exc. in 6.5X55.

The military FMJ is also exc. SAMCO had quite a bit of it and farmed it out to smaller dealers.
Batches would vary with storage conditions. IIRC the darker green battlepacks were more consistant and accurate than the OD colored battlepacks.
It is very well made for military ammo IMO also.

Some of the better stuff shot almost same hole groups at 100 yds. with diopter sighted M96s.
The groups where not quite as good in the M38 shorter barrelled rifles, but were still exc.

I'm relating our experiences, and others may have different results.

For practical purposes the Winchester SP and Hirtenberger are both exc. for hunting. Price per box would be a factor in choosing between the two, since they are both more than adequate.

I have been using the Hirtenberger for coyotes in an M38 for a number of years.

 

[foudufoot]

Thanks for the tip...

Thanks for the info on the Hirtenberger, RH777. I just ordered a few boxes to try in my Swedes. We have a "Freezer match" in January, although it might be wasted since we are shooting 40 rounds offhand. Dan

 

[1911crazy]

I've used the sellier & bellot 139gr sp ammo and my 1907 CG M96 is shooting 1 1/2 to 2" groups at 100yds if i do my part. Thats dam good with new over the counter ammo i think anyway. This 100 year old rifle has really impressed me.

I was just going to ask if the hirtenberger ammo is any good here i guess it is. I have some swede ammo i purchased from samco years ago is it hirtenberger?

I believe the new winchester metric ammo is Sellier & Bellot ammo. The S&B ammo the past few months the prices have gone out of wack too have you noticed this?

 

[Mark Harlin Chaney]

Are there many hoops to jump through to buy ammo from CIA?