Greetings Fellow Dieheads!
I am searching for any available {PUBLISHED}Data on the 9.5x57mm. Can anyone tell me the difference between the 9.5x57mm Mauser and the 9.5x57mm Mannlicher? Are these two calibers interchangeable? Any help/info would be appreciated.

The 9.5x56MS, 9.5x57 and the .375 NE 2 1/4" Rimless are the same cartridges. Cartridges of the World lists some loads that duplicate the originals. I have used them in several Mannlicher-Schoenauers and they are safe.

My .375 Nitro Rimless 2-1/4" likes 49 grs of 3031 behind a 270 gr Hornady round nose loaded to 3.075" OAL. Pressures are very mild and velocity is pushing 2300 fps in a 26" barrel.

Here are the data from the 1940 RWS Handbook, with a 17,6 grams softpoint bullet, measured from a short 50 cms barrel. Second row is energy in metre/kg

V- 0: 648 m/s 377
V- 25: 625 m/s 350
V-100: 564 m/s 285
V-150: 527 m/s 249
V-200: 495 m/s 220
V-300: 440 m/s 174

Regards,
Carcano

That translates to a muzzle velocity for a 270 grain bullet to be 2000 fps from a short 20" barrel. Ballistically on par with the .375 or .358 Winchester.

It appears that the 9,5 x 57 is the second strongest of the proprietary family of cartridges chambered in classic Mannlicher firearms. The strongest would have been the rare and elusive 10,75 x 57 (which seems built on a M/88 case rather than on a Mannlicher case).

I ponder about resurrecting this one; it was an interesting predecessor to the .400 Whelen, and more powerful than the .405 Winchester. Since this cartridge hardly has any shoulder, a Finnish gunwriter has speculated that it was designed to headspace on the case mouth. It this technically feasible with a larger cartridge, in the same way as with the .30 Carbine ?

Regards and thanks,

Carcano
carcano91@hotmail.com

The 9.5 definitely headspaces on the shoulder. Most 1910's I've shot have slightly oversize chambers as compared to modern reloading dies. I usually find slightly protruding primers after firing. Backing out the FL sizing die a bit solves the problem. Having a neck sizing die custom made would also solve the problem, but at the low operating pressure of this cartridge I do not think it is safety issue.

Dear Kurt,
my question - ahem - referred to the 10,75 x 57 Mannlicher. That's the round that peeks my curiosity.

Regards,
Carcano

Sorry for the mix up.
I don't believe the 10.75 headspaces on anything.

Dear Kurt,

thanks for the irony (*grin*). The extractor claw alone is not very much to ensure headspacing, although in M 98 type actions, it does a credible job. I think I'll pose the question "can bigbore rifle cartridges headspace on the case mouth, like a .30 Carbine" again in another one of these fora. Many thanks.

Regards,
Carcano
carcano91@hotmail.com

In all seriousness, I think the cartridge would headspace on the mouth, like a .30 Carbine. This is of course under the assumption of a perfectly cut chamber and perfectly sized cartridges.
The problem is that no one will want to bet their fingers and eyesight that it will headspace each time, everytime. If the case stretches even one thousandth of an inch after firing, it could easily slide into the throat or rifling the next time it is used. The escalation of pressure on the bullet could cause the gases to escape out of the friendly end. I would strongly advise not rely on this type of headspacing with rifle cartridges.

I see your point, Kurt, and esteem your advice. The cartridge in and by itself is intriguing, and I think *you* can understand my feelings (I only now took a look at your profile :-).

As to the shoulder, it would measure about 0,25 to 0,3 mms at each side; less than with the .400 Whelen. That is extremely small, and would headspace only in a well fireformed case with a sharp shoulder angle (40� or even 60�). Also, additional headspacing on the case mouth means that the forcing cone cannot have much leeway. Exact trimming would be the order thus.

Still, it is technically a very interesting Mannlicher cartridge, as you must admit, and its performance data are indeed impressive - they surpass the venerable .405 Winchester.

Best regards,
Carcano
carcano91@hotmail.com

It is a very interesting cartridge, indeed. I don't have the exact figures in front of me, but I believe the problem lies in the fact that the base diameter is rather small, giving the cartridge almost no body taper leading up to a minimal shoulder. Had they used the same base as the 9.5x57, the cartridge might have more taper and would not rely on just the shoulder for headspacing. I believe the actual base is closer to the 9.3x57, which looks thin next to a 9.5x57.

[ 06-03-2002, 03:05: Message edited by: KurtC ]