Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5x55 in Norwegian Krag

My 1912 says 1916 on the receiver

I have not handloaded for my Krag but am working on it - question for the experienced ones: my 3rd Ed. Hornady manual includes loads using IMR 4350 - list a max of 43 gr. for 160 gr RN @ 2400 fps. The test rifle was a '96 Swede with 18.5" barrel, Thoughts/experience with 4350? I have not read anyone using in their 6.5x55.

With a name like Krag Larsen...you should be telling us how to load. Anyway, my personal experience with milsurp '96's, 38's have all caused me eventually to end up using powders in the 4831 burn rate category with heavier bullets. When I finally acquired a 1912 Lang Krag, I didn't do much experimentation and went right to 156 gr roundnoses and 40 gr of VihtaVuori N160, which is just a tad slower on most burn charts than the 4350's. In these times, you have to adapt the powder you have, rather than the powder you wish you had. Anyway, in my slightly rough bore Krag with a 24" bbl, iron sights, I have managed several 5 shot 100yd groups hovering around 2". I am only getting around 2250 fps but I am not going grizz hunting and the 156 PPU is a textbook mushroom in frozen snowbank at 100 yds. What more could I ask for? Lots of loads listed using the various 4350's, go with what you have, nearly 50 years with the 6.5 and I have never found a 'bad' powder.

Thanks - I just picked up some old Herter's 150 gr. RN .263 bullets and have a lb of 4350 that's been sitting around

My thoughts exactly. I got my first 6.5x55 in 1978 (a cherry M94 carbine, one of those I wish I had back) which started a long history with that caliber for me. A string of Swedish Mausers of all flavors and even a couple U.S. commercial jobs (Model 70 and Ruger #1) have blessed me with their presence- but alas no Norwegian Krags. One thing I've found is that this cartridge in general is very forgiving of powders, but I have graduated to the slow suff. IMR-4831 is my current powder of choice, as well as medium weight bullets in the 120-140 weight range. If I couldn't have a .30-06 if limited to "one gun", please let it be a 6.5x55!