The M-96 is a two lug action, the M-98 has the third safety lug that is why some question using the M-96. The other is less than stellar gas handling. But many use the pre-64 M-70 Winchester for most any loads which has worse gas handling. Hey,before you get on me, I use P-17s. About 20 years ago,I was working the butts at an F-class competition with old timer and we were talking guns. He was getting velocities with his 6.5x55 that rivaled my 264WM ! And he lived to boast about it.
They would make good canoe rifles, but I would load 30-06 to European 6.5x55 pressure levels.
