Did Husqvarna ever make the FN 98 Mauser action in 6.5x55? I've seen several in 9.3x62 and 30-06 but never anything smaller. I've seen the 96 Mauser in 6.5x55 but never the later model 640 action. If anyone knows where I can find one you could make me a VERY happy man! I'm trying to build up a matched pair in my favorite mauser cartridges, I already have the 9.3x62.

You should get SBHVA to answer this question, since he is the expert on all things Husqvarna.

I have seen the commercial 1896 acton Huskys in 6.5x55, 8x57, and 9.3x57. I have seen them in 9.3x62, but wasn't suer if that was original/correct or if it was a rechamber job.

I have seen the FN 1898 action Huskys in 270, 30-06, 8x57, and 9.3x62, but I don't recall seeing them in 6.5x55.

I have HVAs, 1640s(?), in 6.5x55 and a variety of U.S. cartridges, but not 8x57 or 9.3x62.

Jeff

Help me out here, how does Husqvarna make an FN 98 action? Sounds like a Springfield Mauser 98 to me. I know they both made commericial and military 98s, but I'm not understanding the question here (sorry just admitting to something I don't know, but thought I understood).

All of the 1898 style actions on Husqvarna sporting rifles were made by FN in Herstal, Belgium, and then shipped to Husqvarna in Sweden as a sub-component for final assembly. The Sweds made the 1896 style actions, the HVA actions, and the 9000 actions, but FN made the 1898 style actions.

Jeff

"I see" said the blind man.

...as he picked up his hammer and saw.

I believe indeed there were Husky brand '98 actions mfg. in Swede.

Yep, look here, googled up on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husqvarna_Vapenfabriks_Aktiebolag

I thought that all of the 1898 style Husky actions were made by FN and the Wiki blurb that you linked to seems to confirm that:

"after WW2 Husqvarna started purchasing Mauser M98 actions from the Belgian company FN, labeling the rifles Model 146, 246 and 640. Though the M98 was a strong and well proven action it was not an ideal situation for Husqvarna to be depending on one of its worst competitors for such a key component."

Jeff

Biathlonman;
Your question twigged something in my memory, so I trundled downstairs and went through my yet to be completed Gun Digest collection.

Sure enough in the 1983 Gun Digest, on page 6 an story by Robert K. Sherwood called, "Six Working Guns" shows what looks to me to be a Husqvarna 1898 type Mauser chambered in 6.5x55.

In the article he says he bought it from Tradewinds in the '60's and specifically calls it a Husqvarna Crown Grade.

Regarding the FN vs Husqvarna manufactured actions, I always thought the Swedish made 98's had their own bolt release, whereas the FN's always looked like the basic 98 bolt release.

I note that was an I thought and think - not an I know.

Hopefully that was some use to you and good luck on your search.

Regards,
Dwayne

I don't think that Husqvarna made any 1898 style Mauser based rifles after the introduction of the HVA, which is a small ring Mauser style action, in the early 1950s. A rifle built in the 1960s would surely have been built on the HVA action.

Of course, SBHVA could answer all of these questions, 'cause he has forgotten more about Husqvarnas then most people will ever know.

Jeff

I have M-98 Husky.It uses the FN '51 action. Sako also used it. I think they called it M-940,the small ring"improved" mauser HVA was M-1640. NA # are all over the place.

260Remguy;
Thanks for the reply Jeff. You know, I bet you are correct and they are/were all small rings that I've looked at.

I can't tell by the photo in the article I mentioned, but I'll bet it is an HVA/small ring type.

Would the extractor be the same or fairly similar on an HVA and a 98?

The bolt shrouds are similar too maybe? I think I replaced a safety on a HVA with a Mark II for a 98.

I've worked on them for others in the past, as the beech stocks seemed to crack at the wrist on a few I've done, but haven't worked on one for a year or three now, so I forget the details.

Thanks again for the clariciation and correction, I appreciate it.

Regards,
Dwayne

Robert Sherwood had some extensive write ups on the 6.5x55 and bullet performance for 6.5s, having recalled a handloader digest LONG ago in my former college library, I seem to recall the early 70s perhaps, in it I BELIEVE was info on the 6.5 Rem Mag, so perhaps since it's intro, perhaps 66-75 era.

I seem to recall he tested a 17.7" '96 Swede, a Husky w/23.6" or so, and a M600 in 6.5 Rem Mag. He discussed twist rate if I recall correctly and how his bullet test showed more upset w/faster 96 carbine albeit slower speeds.

Sherwood, Aaggard, Wooters, and a few others authors/articles on the Swede got me to finally try it in the early 90s and I am happy to have done so.

Yes, they did make a 6.5x55 version of the 640, but it is hard to find here in the US.

The full range of chamberings for the FN 98 action guns by Husqvarna include: .220 Swift, .270, .30-06, 8x57, 9.3x57, and 9.3x62.

Here's one in 6,5x55 for sale in Sweden:


/K9_75

Geez, K9_75, why don't you just kick a man while he's down? I've given up on the quest and having a HVA action rebarreled with a Shilen 6.5x55 barrel. Might end up being a better mouse trap after it's all said and done.

Very interesting website for Husky serial numbers, calibers, etc. In the serial number lookup it lists the Mod 646 as "Model 640 in 6.5x55". One day maybe I'll be in the right pawn shop at the right time.

http://www.skydevaaben.com/index.xml

Hmm, you seem to like mausers and the 6,5x55... Maybe you'll like this one:



Apart from Bubba being there for the stock work its a genuine civilian Oberndorf sporter in 6,5x55 - also for sale

//K9_75