I have an early M1903 TD in 6.5x54 M-S. I primarily shoot 140 gr HPBT match and 130 gr Hornady SST in it. It feeds silky smooth with these very pointy projectiles. The barrel is 23" and I'm getting close to 2700 fps with the 130 gr SST using Reloader 17 and seated to an OAL of 3.050".

The barrel has the typical pre-war groove diameter of .268", so I am using .270 cal projectiles sized down with a set of custom Lee dies. The rifle likes this load and shoots 2" groups at 200m, where I have it sighted dead on for.

Can't ask for better than this.