A friend picked up an old German made O/U rifle-shotgun combination last week end at a local gun show. Top barrel is 20 gauge, no problem. The rifle barrel is stamped 6.3x 54mm. Can't find this in Cartridges of the World. A 25/35 round seems to fit the chamber OK and the bullet the right size.
Does any body out there have an idea of what cartridge this is, and is it available anywhere?

Careful, it's close but not the correct cartridge!

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd2535winchester.jpg

You are right! 25/35 is not the right cartridge for this gun. The bullet is too big and the case is a bit loose in the chamber. Thanks for your help.

Are you sure it is 6.3 and not 6.5X 54? Both Mauser and Mannlicher- Schoenauer make a 6.5x54 and the MS has a rimmed version. Personally I have not heard of a 6.3

www.duanesguns.com

In COTW #4 there is a 6.3x53R Finnish listed.

Might be it.

Bob

I don't have a COTW that haves the 6.3x53 rimmed, but had I looked in my Custom Cartridges book, Ken has a picture of the case- you can make it from the 7.62x53 R brass with a FL 6.3x53 rimmed sizer die. Good luck.
You need to do a chamber cast and slug the bore for positive measurements.