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Reloading 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer

PA Shootist
I recently rebuilt a previously sporterized Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle, it is a System 1930 originally made for Greek Army service, and I kept its original 6.5x54 mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer caliber. This cartridge by the way is dimensionally different than about any other, and the rifles are very difficult to convert to any other caliber anyway due to magazine design and dimensions. But this round is a great classic cartridge for hunting! A new barrel and new full length stock were installed, and it came out a very nice little sporter. I wasn't concerned about ammunition, as Buffalo Arms listed Norma brass ammo loaded with 160 gr. soft-point bullets. A bit pricey at a bit over $50.00 a box of 20, but no problem, I can reload it! A hundred rounds would be a lifetime supply of cases...

Problem... I got a new set of Redding dies & shellholder, and they size the case about .010" larger diameter than the factory new brass. And the Schoenauer rotary magazine's tolerances are very tight, and the cartridge is too fat by the same .010" to come through the magazine guide and action rail. The factory ammo with identical bullet feeds just fine. Anyone out there reloading 6.5x54 M-S? Did you have this same problem? If so, how have you handled it? I thought about calling Redding next week to see if they can make a set of "small-base" or close-tolerance dies. I would be very reluctant to widen the rail dimension.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • joel_black
    I've reloaded thousands of rounds using an old set of RCBS dies. I would return those to Redding and try another brand.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    I'D GIVE REDDING A CALL, AS YOU'VE NOTED THE RIFLE HAS A UNIQUE DESIGN THAT IS DIFFICULT TO ALTER. I USED TO HAVE 1 THAT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO .308 WIN. BUT A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THE CONVERSION.
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  • dutchwind
    I just use the Lee Loader; saves a huge amount of wear & tear on the brass. Mine's a commercial carbine, though, and might have a tighter chamber than your military one; my neck-sized rounds fit the magazine fine. The 160 Hornady RNSP works great in mine, shoots great at crimping-groove length and even better a bit longer; that bullet outshines most of the premium bullets in field tests, too. Use solids for elephants, or Texas heart shots on Cape Buffalo; as always, placement, placement, placement....
    mind yer topknots! windy
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by dutchwind
    I just use the Lee Loader; saves a huge amount of wear & tear on the brass. Mine's a commercial carbine, though, and might have a tighter chamber than your military one; my neck-sized rounds fit the magazine fine. The 160 Hornady RNSP works great in mine, shoots great at crimping-groove length and even better a bit longer; that bullet outshines most of the premium bullets in field tests, too. Use solids for elephants, or Texas heart shots on Cape Buffalo; as always, placement, placement, placement....
    mind yer topknots! windy


    You have to have a pair hanging down to your kneecaps if you go after Elephants and Buffalo with a 6.5, unless you have 1000 Watusi's with spears backing you up.
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  • 1KYDSTR
    How bout it Rufe! Bell did it with a 7x57 , and he had a pair that required a wheelbarrow to transport! Few were or are as good a shot as WMD Bell so it's hard to compare oneself to his likes.
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  • jonk
    I use RCBS never had a problem.

    FWIW, you can easily enough convert the gun- off the top of my head- if you find a barrel and chamber reamer- to 6.5 Carcano, 7.35 Carcano, 7.62X45 Czech, or possibly .35 Remington, based on case head and body diameter.

    However, I also would have left it in 6.5X54. Wonderful round.
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