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Stuart, there is a Forum devoted to Swedish civilian and commerical arms and I know you will get an extensive response there.

Oz, neat rifle, looks like a 146, like one of mine.

Some basics...

Early Husqvarna {HVA} bolt actions were made from 96 actions that were essentially just plucked off the military production lines {called the Model 46}. Later, {1938-40} a series of rifles was made by HVA with FN-manufactured military 98-type actions {HVA Model 146}. After WW2, Swedish Mausers were "improved" for civilian/commercial market. Here's where it gets a little confusing: Most times people naturally think that means the typical "improvements" that are made by many manufacturers to the 98 action.

However, since the "Mauser" in Sweden was the 96, the development of Husky commercial guns essentially revolved around that action; the Small-ring 96, and that is eassentially the case, but just to be cantakerous, after 1950 the Swedes used some more FN 98 actions {contemporary commercial 98's this time} in their 640 series right along with 96-type actions also in their 640 series of guns! And they used both relatively military-type 96's and a version without the thumbcut in the left wall, the so-called 96 "strengthened" action a sort-of rare middle transition type {I have one}. Action type doesn't really settle down till the introduction of the 1600 series which I suspect, but do not know in the absence of other info, is yours.

All that to say this:

9.3x62's ARE commonly built on 2-lug small-ring 96 actions. There may be safety problems but I have never heard of any safety problem arising from their 96 design {due to their inferior gas escape venting system compared to the 98, or their lack of a safety lug, etc}. HOWEVER, and this is significant for shooters of shootable guns; many owners of 96-action 9.3x62's report that the guns will not feed from the magazine and function with standard length x62 factory ammo. Yup, the action {96} is just a hair shorter than the 98 and ammo must be handloaded to less-than-standard OAL. I have no idea what length ammo Norma loaded back in the '40's and '50's when these guns were made. That has been a source of great discussion on the Swede forum.

Later x62's in the 1600 series {also a small-ring action, but of 98 length I believe} do not have the length problem I don't believe.

From your description, it is impossible to determine exactly what model it is:

1} Are you sure it is 9.3x62? 9.3x57 is common.
2} Does the bolt have a safety lug?
3} Is the trigger a single stange 98-type or is it a non-98-type commercial trigger? Or is it a double pull military?

Here is a link to the Swede forum:

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=41

Top to bottom:

M46 in 9.3x57
M648 in 8x57 "strengthened" 96 action
M146 in 9.3x57

My 146 last Fall, whitetail:

My 5 1/2 lb 46 9.3x57, hound-run bear last Fall:

Again, my 146 last Fall, cow elk:

Edited by CptCurl (22/11/10 03:21 AM)