using 6.5x55MS

I assume you mean the 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenar ?

If so, and you're concerned about such things, no doubt it could be hand loaded to meet the minimum velocity and energy requirements. I'd start with a 120gr bullet and go from there.

I have no idea what might be possible with factory ammo, if such a thing could be bought.
 
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I had a 6.5x54 MS carbine. The 140-gr Norma ammunition which came with it was listed as 2,335 FPS, but out of the 20-inch barrel, I only got 2,250 FPS. It killed deer for me, but I employed it inside 100 yards. It would be crazy to put some velocity threshold on a cartridge like this or the .30-30, which have killed enough came to sink a battleship.

The friend to whom I sold it to complete his safari rifle battery has found the Hornady 129-gr SPT flat base Interlock over 44.0 grains of H-4831 to give 2,370 FPS and 1-inch groups with the little 4x Zeiss scope.
 
In its standard form, North of the border, it's roe only. Rest of the UK, small deer only. I think, if you could load it to meet the minimum velocity in Scotland (a big if), you'd have to use such a light bullet that it would be a varmint rated one. In England and Wales, I don't think you'll get it to 1700 ft/lbs.
The cartridge was never meant to run at these levels.
 
In its standard form, North of the border, it's roe only. Rest of the UK, small deer only. I think, if you could load it to meet the minimum velocity in Scotland (a big if), you'd have to use such a light bullet that it would be a varmint rated one. In England and Wales, I don't think you'll get it to 1700 ft/lbs. The cartridge was never meant to run at these levels.

Not so depending on a number of factors.
A 160gn bullet from the short barrel 18" of the MSch 1903 stutzen would not reach minimum MV of 2450fps or the appropriate ME of 1750ft lbs so should not be used. From a 22.5" barrel the MV would still be slightly low and therefore could not be used.

However, a 140gn bullet could most certainly be utilised and 2450fps & the necessary ME is definitely achievable using a 22.5" barrelled MSch in 6.5x54.

Of course it seems nuts really as this magical little rifle/cartridge historically speaking, possibly accounted for more reds/roe shot in Scotland in the last century than any other - and using the 160gn bullet too!

There was incidentally a 6.5x55MSch built between 1950 & 1964.....and it may be this model the OP refers to??
 
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Kynoch 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer
Kynamco's data for 140gr pill and 26" tube. Not sure what the loss per " would be.

For handloads, the 120gr bullet that comes to mind is the plastic-pointed one that Norma load in the factory stuff. I can't remember what it is, though - but it isn't so lightly-built as to be varmint-only.
 
If you ever get a chance to see one of the documentaries on the assassination of President Kennedy, there is a recent one done with the Army ballistics expert who tested Lee Harvey Oswald's 6.5 Carcano rifle back then. He fires several different rifles into wood and gelatin, including a 6.5x54 MS with a 156-gr RN bullet. The penetration is no only very long, but in a straight line.
 
In its standard form.....Rest of the UK, small deer only....... In England and Wales, I don't think you'll get it to 1700 ft/lbs.
The cartridge was never meant to run at these levels.

Really? Everything I've read puts it over 1700 ft-lbs. Not by much mind so every component and the rifle itself will be instrumental in keeping it legal, but that's no different to many 'borderline' (energy-wise) cartridges.
 
For interest and since I have owned two of these rifles in the past and indeed have one now, very few really were built with barrels 26" long. Most have 22.5" barrels apart from most stutzen (carbine) versions that have a short barrel usually 18"- 20" length.
Historically quite a few well known names (Finch-Hatton, The Blixens, WDM Bell etc) in the big game hunting world used the rifle with the 160gn bullet which is the standard bullet weight the rifle was designed to shoot.

Of course these were the successful hunters and at the time the MSch was the most modern sporting rifle available. They are delightful rifles and although now out of fashion, still have some of the finest engineering of the time displayed in the action and magazines. (photo's in my gallery)

Below I've listed some QL data since data for this cartridge is rare and difficult to find..I also have some data using IMR 3031 from the 1990's when I owned a stutzen M1903. I was stupid and sold that rifle ...I shouldn't have as it was a real beauty. Hey ho, very silly!


Cartridge : 6.5 x 54 Mannlicher Schoenauer.

Bullet : .264, 129, Hornady SST InterLock 26202
Useable Case Capaci: 45.305 grain H2O = 2.942 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.063 inch = 77.80 mm
Barrel Length : 22.5 inch = 571.5 mm
Powder : IMR 4350



Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !


Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms


-20.0 78 32.40 2125 1293 27147 7230 84.7 1.561
-18.0 80 33.21 2176 1357 28837 7480 86.0 1.523
-16.0 82 34.02 2228 1422 30631 7727 87.2 1.487
-14.0 84 34.83 2279 1488 32533 7970 88.4 1.451
-12.0 86 35.64 2331 1557 34556 8209 89.6 1.416
-10.0 88 36.45 2383 1627 36703 8442 90.7 1.382
-08.0 90 37.26 2435 1699 38984 8669 91.7 1.345
-06.0 92 38.07 2487 1772 41410 8890 92.7 1.307
-04.0 94 38.88 2540 1847 43986 9103 93.6 1.271
-02.0 96 39.69 2592 1924 46734 9308 94.5 1.236 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 97 40.50 2644 2003 49637 9504 95.3 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 99 41.31 2696 2083 52708 9690 96.1 1.170 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 101 42.12 2749 2164 55977 9866 96.8 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 103 42.93 2801 2247 59460 10032 97.4 1.108 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 105 43.74 2853 2331 63174 10186 98.0 1.079 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 107 44.55 2905 2417 67137 10327 98.4 1.050 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!


Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 97 40.50 2776 2208 58653 9599 99.2 1.118 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 97 40.50 2477 1757 40916 8995 88.0 1.311

Cartridge : 6.5 x 54 Mannlicher Schoenauer.
Bullet : .264, 140, Hornady SST 26302
Useable Case Capaci: 43.745 grain H2O = 2.840 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.063 inch = 77.80 mm
Barrel Length : 22.5 inch = 571.5 mm
Powder : IMR 4350


Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !


Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms


-20.0 78 31.20 2056 1314 27778 7126 86.5 1.609
-18.0 80 31.98 2105 1378 29506 7365 87.7 1.570
-16.0 82 32.76 2154 1443 31338 7600 88.9 1.532
-14.0 84 33.54 2204 1510 33283 7831 90.0 1.495
-12.0 86 34.32 2253 1578 35345 8057 91.1 1.459
-10.0 88 35.10 2303 1649 37536 8277 92.1 1.423
-08.0 89 35.88 2352 1720 39863 8491 93.1 1.383
-06.0 91 36.66 2402 1794 42334 8697 94.0 1.345
-04.0 93 37.44 2452 1869 44957 8896 94.9 1.308
-02.0 95 38.22 2501 1945 47723 9086 95.6 1.272 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 97 39.00 2551 2023 50651 9267 96.4 1.238 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 99 39.78 2600 2102 53764 9438 97.0 1.205 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 101 40.56 2650 2183 57076 9599 97.6 1.173 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 103 41.34 2699 2265 60602 9749 98.2 1.142 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 105 42.12 2748 2348 64359 9888 98.6 1.112 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 107 42.90 2798 2433 68365 10014 99.0 1.083 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!


Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 97 39.00 2672 2220 59778 9276 99.6 1.152 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
 
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It would apear I need to reapraise my "knowledge" on this cartridge rather than talking through my rear orifice:oops:.
Apologies.
 
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