6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer

Ambrose

I am trying to find some history and value to this rifle. I've posted some pics, but was unable to get clear close ups of the markings, so I will state what they are. The rifle was given to my father in the 60's by a gun shop owner who mounted the scope and the open sights.

On top of the barrel, just ahead of the rear sight is stamped '6.5 x 54 Man', parallel to the barrel. Also stamped on top of the barrel, just ahead of the breach are the letters 'Y 1903', and above that is stamped an impression of, what appears to be, a Swiss flag emblem, across the barrel. (I tried to get pictures of the stampings, but my camera just blurs when I get that close.)

Stamped on the right side of the barrel just in front of the breach is '434Z'.

It has the original steel butt plate.

It has been quite a few years, but I have fired 6.5 x 54 Norma ammo through it, and still have some rounds left.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ambrose

I have been fooling around with a little MCA carbine. Somewhere I had acquired a box of Norma 156 gr. factory cartridges and they shot pretty well at an average of 2176 fps. So far, I have tried 140 gr. Hornady spires and 160 gr. Hornady RN. The cartridge made it's reputation with a 160+/- gr. bullet at modest velocity and that's what I'm getting. I wish Sierra still made their 160 gr. semi-pointed bullet since that shot very well in my 6.5 Swedes. It's a cute little carbine and a cute little cartridge. I was wondering if any one had any hunting experience with it?

richarda

Think Hornady has dropped the 160 gr. RN.

charliemeyer007

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/07/hornady-suspends-production-of-150-ammo-types-and-150-bullet-types-for-balance-of-2013/

Midway has 24 varieties in stock 7 of which are 124 gr or heavier

85 listing on the auction side some 140's didn't see any 160's
http://www.GunBroker.com/Ammunition-Reloading/BI.aspx?Keywords=6.5mm+bullets

I have the Lyman 266455 127 grain for my 6.5 Jap.

South40

Try the 155gr Lapua Mega. They're scary accurate in my 6.5x55. S40

Ray B

I've used a 1903 MS 6.5 on occasion and killed a fork buck with one shot, 160 gr Hdy RN at a little over 100 yards. Ballistically it is very similar to a 30-30, but the bullet construction allows a much deeper penetration. The 1903 that I used had been restocked and a part was omitted from the magazine that allowed spitzer type bullets to drop down and bind the spool follower. This has since been corrected, but due to the sharp barrel twist, I still get better results from the heavier bullets than the 125 gr Nosler partitions that have a flatter trajectory and typical Partition performance.