6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer

[deeangeo]

Guys,
Tippex?? Seriously? Have you tried this? It sounds like a serious random departure from the hitherto fantastic quality of your advice. I'm unlikely to try this.
Platinum inlay...I like the idea of but there is a risk of marital discord if the first item lavished with platinum is a gun not a wife.
Greenshoots...i feel a bit thick for not understanding the question. Sorry.

Yes indeed I have used it & do use it on the micrometer marks on my competition dies. It works & wouldn't have suggested it if it didn't.
I wish I could claim the idea as my own, but the original suggestion came in instructions with an RCBS headspace precision micrometer.

 

[deeangeo]

Actually the Tippex idea is good because you can put it on and try the effect and if you don't like it you can remove it with a fingernail. If you like the effect you can go for a more permanent solution.
David.

Quite so. And, it's a solution that is cheeeeaap!

 

[Southern]

Just try Liquid Paper, the typewriter correction fluid, to see how it works as a line or triangle on your rear notch and whiting the front bead or ramp. It comes in colors, so ask your favorite secretary.

 

[Kalahari]

Tippex is our most common version of your Liquid Paper.

David.

 

[Apthorpe]

Wow! I very happily eat my words and apologies to Deeangeo. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

[User00025]

I used a 1903 model for 20 years, a super rifle for woodland. I used RWS 160gr but then started reloading and no way would it group with a lighter bullet than 156 gr.
Eventually on second reloads the cases were splitting round the head and I was told it was a headspace problem. A great pity but it was consigned to the tip.

 

[deeangeo]

I used a 1903 model for 20 years, a super rifle for woodland. I used RWS 160gr but then started reloading and no way would it group with a lighter bullet than 156 gr.
Eventually on second reloads the cases were splitting round the head and I was told it was a headspace problem. A great pity but it was consigned to the tip.

Shame about that, but for the same reason I sold a beautiful MSch 1903 stutzen around 20 yrs ago. If I'd known then what I now know about headspace issues, I'd never have sold it...selling the rifle remains one of my regrets. Stupid of me to have sold it.

 

[Apthorpe]

Just venting...
A bad start to my reloading attempts. First attempt, the primer was harder to get out than I expected so I screwed the die down a touch more. Got the case stuck and had to drill it and screw it out. Second attempt, broke the decapping and expander stick bit, and bent over the decapping pin.

I hadn't expected Berdan primers, which nearly all my empty cases have. ******* ********!
I was counting on getting a few more uses out of those cases.

 

[Dalua]

That's the key mate, as they say "beginners practice till they get it right, professionals practice till they don't get it wrong"

Do they not say,
'Amateurs practice 'til they get it right, professionals practice 'til they get it wrong.'?

 

[deeangeo]

Just venting...
A bad start to my reloading attempts. First attempt, the primer was harder to get out than I expected so I screwed the die down a touch more. Got the case stuck and had to drill it and screw it out. Second attempt, broke the decapping and expander stick bit, and bent over the decapping pin.

I hadn't expected Berdan primers, which nearly all my empty cases have. ******* ********!
I was counting on getting a few more uses out of those cases.

Oooops!
Get some brand new Norma brass ordered...good brass & forget anything to do with Berdan primers. Many of us learned to reload with one or two mistakes along the way.

There never used to be the availability of on-line tuition, so it was down to a couple of good manuals, reading time and hopefully a mentor who knew what he was doing to help one along.
Good luck.

 

[Southern]

If I were loading for my old 6.5x54 carbine today, I would do as said above and buy a bag of Norma or RWS brass, and try some longish 140 gr SST and 129 gr SST bullets.

For most deer hunting in woods with some smaller open fields, the 6.5x54, .250-3000 or .257 Roberts is all one needs, and a full stocked carbine bolt action or lever action saddle gun is the perfect platform.

 

[Dicken]

Yes, I use one reasonably regularly; if you mean the Model 1903

It has a detachable scope that slides onto a side mounted rail. It also has a Rigby style peep sight and a rear sight that gets in the way of the peep sight. It is the Stutzen stocked version and it makes a lot of noise.
I managed to get a fair amount of RWS ammo some years back (from Emma rifles Darlington) which I use economically. I also got a few hundred new Norma cases (from USA) when they did a limited production run about 8 years ago. However, I have not had much success with re-loading.

My attempts using Hornady 160 g bullets have been unable to produce a load that does not keyhole slightly. It might be that these bullets are .264 inches in diameter (6.7056 mm) , which, I understand, is the common groove diameter for 6.5 bores, while MS barrels in the early days had a groove diameter .266 (6.7564). I do not know as I have not slugged the barrel. However this is a post 1924 production of the 1903 made in 1950, if I remember correctly (I am not at home at the moment)

I may well retire next year so will get back to reloading.
[FONT=&quot]With the RWS ammo I am happy at the distances I shoot, usually less than 150 yards. I would not take a shot beyond that. If I had a reliable drop table I might extend that to 180 yards but I would not go on the published trajectory details. [/FONT]

 

[Apthorpe]

Thank you for the advice. I find mine considerably quieter than a .243. Thhs morning I tested my first attempt at some handloads with Hornady 160 gr with IMR4350. Happy both with accuracy and to still have the usual number of digits and eyes. 50 yds, open sights

 

[Greener Jim]

Brilliant mate, great accuracy there. That is a dead deer every time!

 

[Apthorpe]

I finally got round to taking some photos of the rifle for you...
] Something went a bit wrong there. Sorry for repetition.

 

[Dicken]

That is an unusual MS, the multiple leaf sights, bolt knob, stock, thumb notch. I shall look it up in my Mannlicher book when I get home.
[FONT=&quot]The group is excellent, I trust you emptied the box first [/FONT]

 

[Apthorpe]

Actually, it was beginner's luck and the first group. I had the good sense to quit while I was ahead and smug.

I'd be interested in anything you discover, but please don't bother if it seems a chore.
As well as these markings, it has one saying "Nitro proved" and has at least three different serial numbers (single character followed by four digits).

 

[AndrewT059]

Thank you for the advice. I find mine considerably quieter than a .243. Thhs morning I tested my first attempt at some handloads with Hornady 160 gr with IMR4350. Happy both with accuracy and to still have the usual number of digits and eyes. 50 yds, open sights
View attachment 76586View attachment 76587

Have you put these bullets over a chronograph?

Just interested in what sort of speed your getting,

Thanks Andrew

 

[Apthorpe]

No, I haven't a clue... nor a chronograph. I'm curious too. Much load development still to do, but i had little time and didn't want to antagonise neighbours on a sunday morning.
Two factors which might have helped are a longish barrel and cartridges longer than seem to be generally listed with modern load data (3.045")?

 

[AndrewT059]

Thanks,
I like the look off that long bullet, I have a old .256 gibbs magnum Ive been playing around with, try to get some different accurate loads,


atb Andrew