6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer
- Thread starter Apthorpe
- Start date
Ive work up a good load using 129gr hornady interlocks, have shot a few animals with it aswell, but thinks your bullet looks a bit more sexy 
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
It would be interesting to see a pic of the other/underside of the barrel/action where the serial & dating numbers would be. During WW2 the MSch factory was destroyed together with nearly all serial documentation but there are knowledgeable folk around who understand the dating system stamped on these rifles.
Although I have a shootable/huntable load with IMR & H 4350, it's not among the best choice of propellants for the 6.5x54MSch cartridge using a 160gn bullet.
However, the probable better choices of propellants will yield lower MV's.
Nevertheless, I shall be testing IMR4895, H4895 & IMR3031 over the next twelve months. Although I'm hoping IMR4895 will generate the result I'd be happy with....then again, my M1903 barrel is 94 years old, so we shall see!
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I can live with repetition when it's a rifle like that. Very nice mate, can't wait to see it leant against a deer you've taken with it. Damn that'll be rewarding! Not many have taken deer with open sights in this day and age.
I'd be interested too, but I'm in no hurry to attempt DIY stock removal. I think the proof marks suggest pre-1925. The Steyr 1906 on the left of the receiver is obviously the earliest it could be. Otherwise I have just the visible serial numbers (non-matching) 2448A and a "b4861" on the - the "b" is not a standard latin alphabet character - and on the bolt 2557A.
Keep us posted on how your loading experiments go. Your information has been enormously helpful to me. It seems to me that you're already getting very good accuracy.Thank you.
![20160501_195935[939] Fox.webp](https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/data/attachments/39/39560-debc58657ec00f116cbee9a86b620698.jpg?hash=CY8q_D9jUZ "20160501_195935[939] Fox.webp")
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I'm unsure where your Steyr 1906 fits into the scheme of MSch production Apthorpe, but believe the round bolt knob is earlier than the year 1906 and note it says on the top of the receiver 'Modell 1903'. This would indicate a M1903 in 6.5x54.
Quite what the 'Steyr 1906' on the side of the receiver indicates, I can only guess at.
Having said that, there are far more knowledgable folk than me on this subject.
This link provides some clues:
http://www.mannlicher.org/aboutmannlichers/mannlichercharacteristics
Little is mentioned of the Steyr M1906 on the internet, but I'd find it difficult to believe Steyr, having acquired the MSch company, (which was after WW2 in the 1970's I think) produced rifles for sporting use with round knob bolt. I say this as my belief is that all MSch/Steyr sporting rifles seem to have been produced with the 'butterknife' bolt after 1903.
I'm happy to be corrected though.
None of this of course affects how your rifle shoots; and this, it appears it does rather well. Good luck when you hunt deer with it.
Cheers, d.
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Apthorpe
You could also look on the Nitroexpress.com site - they have a section devoted to Mannlicher rifles:
There are a lot of knowledgeable people on there - including one "deeangeo"!
Andrew
You could also look on the Nitroexpress.com site - they have a section devoted to Mannlicher rifles:
There are a lot of knowledgeable people on there - including one "deeangeo"!
Andrew
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
Ha..! I've been spotted LOL
And yes indeed, it's another very helpful & informative site.
Cheers, d.
Scipio
Well-Known Member
To answer the TS questions, bearing in mind i use a 6.5 and 7x57 Mauser:
1. Non at all. Prvi Partizan and rws makes ammo for the 6.5 and several manufactorers produce ammo for the 7.
Getting exactly The sort of Load and bullets i want is another issue, but i am going to resolve that by starting to reload.
2. Hm. How do you define Middle distance? Anyways, i have mainly shot at shorter distances, around a 100 meters or less. But my rifles are scoped, so i could shoot longer I guess.
But Tbh i find myself More interested in shooting shorter.
For me stalking/pursch in wooded areas Using Only iron sights or an aim point, and taking most shots Inside 50 meters or so, would probably be the top for my interests. Taking a lot of elements from now hunting but having the killing power of a rifle.
Obviously if you're a deer manager or hunt frequently in the hills or mountains, scopes might be a needed tool.
3. I don't, I'm afraid. But i do know that lee Will make you dies for not that much money if you send them some spent cartridges and a few bullets.
I seem to recall Forster offers the same service or is It redding? I can't remember. The latter two Cost more of course.
But There are a Lot of things that can be dug up online, so before custom ordering anything, i would propose Doing Some very thorough searching on-line
Hope that helps a bit and happy hunting with the MS!
1. Non at all. Prvi Partizan and rws makes ammo for the 6.5 and several manufactorers produce ammo for the 7.
Getting exactly The sort of Load and bullets i want is another issue, but i am going to resolve that by starting to reload.
2. Hm. How do you define Middle distance? Anyways, i have mainly shot at shorter distances, around a 100 meters or less. But my rifles are scoped, so i could shoot longer I guess.
But Tbh i find myself More interested in shooting shorter.
For me stalking/pursch in wooded areas Using Only iron sights or an aim point, and taking most shots Inside 50 meters or so, would probably be the top for my interests. Taking a lot of elements from now hunting but having the killing power of a rifle.
Obviously if you're a deer manager or hunt frequently in the hills or mountains, scopes might be a needed tool.
3. I don't, I'm afraid. But i do know that lee Will make you dies for not that much money if you send them some spent cartridges and a few bullets.
I seem to recall Forster offers the same service or is It redding? I can't remember. The latter two Cost more of course.
But There are a Lot of things that can be dug up online, so before custom ordering anything, i would propose Doing Some very thorough searching on-line
Hope that helps a bit and happy hunting with the MS!
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I can’t help feeling the demise of the 6.5x54 Mannlicher in Scotland was a combination ignorance on the part of FEOs, reluctance to make available a 140gn load, and the opportunity for gun dealers to sell lots of new rifles. I know of one individual who had very nice rifle who sent it to Holts Auctions after lots of sucking of teeth and advice from his local RFD.
6pt-sika
Well-Known Member
I’d wanted a Mannlicher Schoenauer stutzen for well on fifty years . I got one about two years ago a Model 1903 I killed deer with it two seasons ago with both the 156 grain PPU factory stuff and a 123 SST handload . Sometime early 2020 or so I acquired a second Mannlicher Schoenauer model MCA stutzen also in 6.5x54MS . I killed a deer this past season with it shooting a 140 gr handload . Sorry to say none of the three I’ve plunked with the cartridge were over sixty yards . Next season I suspect the MCA 6.5x54 another MCA in 7x57 , my 6mm-06 and the 6.5 PRC will be called upon . Hopefully I can get the PRC and the 6-06 blooded during damage control time .
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I reckon before it was outlawed by 'Those who know' the old MSch M1903 was used to kill more deer in Scotland than you could shake a stick at!
The 160gn bullet may not generate the required MV, but the energy is more than man enough to take deer.
Reloaders can of course generate enough deer legal MV & ME using a 140gn bullet.
Super rifles with such slick actions I have two. Both M1903's 6.5x54MSch. One a Stutzen, the other a Takedown... recently re-barrelled by CF with a Krieger barrel..
The 160gn bullet may not generate the required MV, but the energy is more than man enough to take deer.
Reloaders can of course generate enough deer legal MV & ME using a 140gn bullet.
Super rifles with such slick actions I have two. Both M1903's 6.5x54MSch. One a Stutzen, the other a Takedown... recently re-barrelled by CF with a Krieger barrel..
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
indeed. I believe Karamojo Bell used it on elephant before switching to the Rigby. Ironically, the only reason being he couldn't find a reliable source of ammunition.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
There are a lot of MS in France converted to that round because as a military cartridge, the 6.5 MS was illegal for hunting. But certainly the 6.5x57 would do the trick.
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
Not quite right PM.
The 6.5x54MSch cartridge is not illegal to use. However it was deemed so using the 160gn bullet due not achieving designated MV & ME in Scotland.
Using the 140gn bullet, legal MV & ME can be achieved, so absolutely legal to use in the UK.
The split rear bridge design makes fitting scopes difficult & expensive compared to more modern rifles. But it's certainly do-able. I've had two done fitted with QD claw mounts.
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I had a 6.5x54 re-barrelled by CF with a Krieger barrel in the same chambering in 2019. It shoots perfectly with 140gn bullets & pretty good with 160gn RN bullets.
I think Norman Clarke in Rugby would do the job too.
I don't know about re-chambering to 6.5x55... either Callum or Norman would tell you the answer.
I think PM was referring to France, rather than the UK, where military calibres used to be banned
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