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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Mannlicher Discussion forum & Archive
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Elsa
.224 member


Reged: 13/06/06
Posts: 2
Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308
      #58783 - 14/06/06 04:50 AM

I am looking for a new light rifle (from a gunsmith), and I am considering 6,5x54 MS.(yes that is right, the good old one), 6.5x55 or .308 Win. Bullet weight 140-160 for 6,5mm. and 180-200 for the .308.
The rifle is a take-down carabin version. My "big rifle" is a 9,3x74R., so I need a light one for plain-game and mountain use.
Should one go with classic, such as the 6,5MS., or stick to modern load?
Cheers
Elsas' papa


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banzaibird
.333 member


Reged: 18/09/05
Posts: 358
Loc: S.C. Pennsylvania, USA
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Elsa]
      #58786 - 14/06/06 06:08 AM

Funny you refer to the 6.5x54 as the old round when the 6.5x55 is older. I have a real soft spot for the 6.5x55 so would recommend that. Brass and dies are easy to obtain and fairly cheap. They have virtually no recoil and seem way out of there league when it comes to killing game. I've killed 2 elk with a 6.5x55 and wouldn't hesitate to use it again. On deer it simply drops them where they stand.

6.5x55 gets my vote.

Bill

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3482
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Elsa]
      #58802 - 14/06/06 01:43 PM

Here's another vote for the 6.5 x 55. I dearly love my 1903 MS carbine, and personally would prefer it, but if I were to commission a new custom rifle on a modern action I would choose the peppier chambering without hesitation.

The Swedish 6.5 is extremely under-rated for medium-game IMHO. The .243 would have been still-born if Americans weren't so metrico-phobic!

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39249
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Elsa]
      #58803 - 14/06/06 01:44 PM

Out of the chamberings you name, I would lean strongly for the 6.5 Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Because it is so 'classicly African'.

In a nice old M-S carbine it would be very pleasant.

But if I was choosing a dedicated plains game loading I would go for something with more punch and reach. Ideally something like a 8x68S, which would handle well game such as eland, wildebeest, zebra, but still have the range when longer shots are required. Similar for a .300 H&H, .300 Win Mag etc.

Any of them combined with your 9.3mm or a .375 or .416 would make a nice combination.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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ozhunter
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Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: NitroX]
      #58825 - 14/06/06 05:37 PM

I use a 6.5x57 and a 308 and would recommend both.
If you live in Europe the 6.5x57 is quite popular, but not as common in Aus or the US.
Common calibers arn't always what you need or want.
PS; this caliber is older than the 7x57 and has great ballistics.
ozhunter

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Elsa
.224 member


Reged: 13/06/06
Posts: 2
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Marrakai]
      #58883 - 15/06/06 11:40 PM

Marrakai
Nice boars. May I ask what kind of load - bullet you used?
Ta
Elsas' father

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3482
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Elsa]
      #58911 - 16/06/06 04:27 PM

Elsa:
I'm away from my loading bench at the moment, so can't post the powder charge, but the 6.5 x 54 MS carbine shoots the 160gr RNSP at around 2000 fps, and my 6.5 Obendorf Swede shoots the 140gr Spitzer at around 2500 fps. I know some guys load their Swedish Mausers up higher than that, but I stick to the 'traditional' moderate velocity.

I'll post the loads early next week.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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rgp
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Reged: 17/06/04
Posts: 373
Loc: TX & VIC
Re: Light rifle - 6,5x54 MS., 6,5x55 or .308 [Re: Marrakai]
      #58915 - 16/06/06 05:38 PM

I would want either of the 6.5's, especially a 6.5 M-S.

But for practical use I would buy a .308 since ammunition for it is easily obtainable anywhere.

Richard

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