I can use some reloading advice for the 6.5x54 MS.

In my 1903 Steyr Carbine, factory 156 gr PPU achieves 2350 fps, with no pressure signs/hard bolt lift or flattened primers.

When re-loading with 39.0 gr I4350, WLR primers and Hornady 160RN Interlocks, the best velocity is 2200fps, with hard bolt lift and flattened primers. Less powder produces proportionately less velocity and it's not until velocity drops below 2100 that stiff bolt lift goes away.

Anyone have a recipe that would get me closer to the PPU factory performance? Thanks for looking.

Best regards,

Dave Manson

That sucks. Assuming you have done all the proper case prep, I would think that either changing the particular bullet or the powder should help to attain more reasonable velocities. Maybe a bit faster powder for that small case.
How far off the lands are you comparing the two loads?

Hello Western; thanks for your comments. You likely know that the Mannlicher's rotary magazine requires a certain COAL and bullet profile for proper feeding. COAL of my reloads are identical to factory. Factory bullet profile is less pure roundnose than are the Hornady; this positions the factory ogive .180"/.190" further from the lands than the Hornady.

I can and will try several slower powders, and will also search for bullets in the proper weight range with profiles that provide more freebore. I'm using std rifle primers now, but Hornady lists loadings for 6.5x54 that utilize large pistol primers; this might result in less intense powder burn initiation.

All of the above takes time, and it'd be great if my inquiry resulted in someone familiar with the cartridge posting, "do this, and this..."
Unlikely, but one can hope. Thanks.

Dave Manson

I am suffering the same problem, and in more than a few cases its excess headspace in the MS 1903s, In most, if not all, you must fire form cases to take up the slack, in some factory ammo the problem doesn't raise its ugly head as velocity is so slow and so it seems in my gun..setting back the barrel too proper headspace usually works but you then have inletting problems due to the forend tip, the swivel barrel line is complicated as hell, a rebarrel to a different caliber complicates the rotary magazine..Its a nightmare so fireforming is your best option..thats where Im at at the present other than mine has about 14.000 headspace anc needs two fireforms as opposed to one and some case loss.. I thank fireforming with a 160 snug in the rifling might work best, but pros and cons on this method..I fireformed with 30 grs of Herc, cornmeal and wax...I'm going to figure out something if it kills me, and probably end up with a shooter and the collectability will suffer, but hey it is what it is..Hope this helps, check your headspace first and proceed keeping in mind that my headspace is excessive to beat hell,, yours may be less or none at all..

Of some interest is the Lapua 155 gr. RN feeds much better in my gun, than Hornadys 160, and Im intend to lightly polish the feed ramp to start with and ?? as the HOrnadys are cheaper and more available..Lapuas are available so far at Grafs and sons//

If you have IMR 4320. give that a try.
I found it to give the best velocity and accuracy
In my ARMY/Navy steyr sporter 6.5x53R.

I shot a couple of roe deer bucks with my friends 6.5x54 MS back in the early 80's when hunting in West Germany. I can't recall the model of the fully stocked MS but we were using reloads with the Hornady 129gr Spire Point bullet and Norma N202 powder which has a similar burn rate to IMR4320/4064.
My friend ultimately immigrated to NZ where he used the same rifle and load on red deer and chamois. We chronographed this load at 2660fps MV. The 129gr Hornady was an accurate and effective bullet on game and feed from the magazine was perfect.

Dont have a lot of experience with this caliber. A friend has one and I load for him. I found that H4831 provided the best accuracy with 129, 140 and 160 gr bullets. He has gone with the 129 gr Hornady bullet for the flatter trajectory and has found it very effective on whitetails. So you have signs of high pressure, I think you want to try a slower powder not faster burning

You may want to check the diameter of the Hornady 160 gr. round nose bullets. They made some intended for the Carcano that are marked .268 That may be the cause of high pressure, I have a 1903 MS and the bore is .266

Geoff

Thanks all for your comments. I'll be trying Lapua and PPU bullets with a more spitzer-like profile, after first confirming they're of an appropriate diameter for my bore/groove dimensions.

Velocities with the lighter bullets are attractive, but I'd prefer to stay close to original weight--as long as I can achieve velocities close to that of the factory 156s. If I can make 'em work, I'll report to the group.

Dave Manson

I'm playing with the idea of testing the MS caliber that's recommended by some famous old time elephant hunters on a rifle that has taken meany elephant to their Knee and praised for Buffalo and Lion. I would use the Lapua 155 gr and the Hornady 160 gr soft point..I don't doubt those old timers are right, they made it work with both softs and solids, I just want to experience it to a lesser degree such as on elk and deer. I may have to use the 6.5 Creedmoor with same bullets loaded to MS velocities, but thats no problem..

Dave:
In the 1903 take down with 23" barrel , I bought from you, 38 G of IMR4350, CCI LR primer, 160 grain Hornady shoots to the same point as the PPU factory loads. I have not choreographed this load. No pressure signs.

My Chrony indicates 2293 FPS for the Factory PPU in the Take Down.

In my 1903 Carbine 18" barrel with 34.6 G of 4064, CCI Large Rifle Primer 160 Grain Hornady Interlock yields 2173 FPS.
I have not choreographed this load.
Don't know if this will help.
Thanks again for the deal we cut on the 1903.
Richard T

The Norma book shows 204 - max. 39.6 gr for 2405 and MRP - max 42.3 for 2434 from a 24” barrel.

Im working up load data with RL-16 and 17, as we speak and will load some 748, CF-223, and H414 hopefully before cold weather gets here..

Both my 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles had .268 bores

I used the Hornady 160 gr RN Carcano bullets.

H4350 worked well and I got 2400 fps easily with no pressure signs and minimal case head expansion. Cases did not stretch. No trimming needed.

Be aware that there are TWO 6.5x54 calibers. The 6.5x54 MAUSER AND THE 6.5X54 MS, BOTH VERY DIFFERENT. The only thing they have in common is LENGTH!