Seeing as the site is a bit slow at the moment, I thought I'd throw in another query.

I bought a Carcarno when I was at Uni back in 1973 (kind of dates you a bit) and I paid $35-00 for it which was more than I made in a week in a taxi. I also bought 10 packets (50 rounds in each) of ex mil to go with it.

The rifle was in mint condition when I got it and it has been well looked after. All mine are.

I have two packets of ex-mil ammo still but I have seen that Highland (?) are bringing in commercial ammo in limited amounts. I let my dealer know 2 years ago I'd like 200 rounds just so I could shoot and reload them. Son hasn't fired a shot from it yet. Would love to when i get some commercial ammo.

Mine is the short barrel version with a fixed rear sight. Even though it is very clean, its accuracy leaves a fair heap to worry about.

BUT if anyone has seen commercial Carcano rounds on a dealers shelf somewhere, please post.


I reload for our three 6.5 x 55 (Swedes) already and I know the military Carcano round is slightly different in size (.262??) but I am always reloading on the very moderate side.


If I want more power or speed, I usually do the right thing and buy a "new" rifle that can do what i want without pushing the pressure up. It really is amazing the number of rifles that come up for sale that have done very little shooting. You just have to know the actual hunting activities of the seller.


While on that, I would guess it would be less than 10% of local farmers who hunt quaiul, duck, rabbit, fox or whatever. I love it. About the same number who are into Field and Game.


It means we get put on roo permits and they tell us where they have seen birds etc.


A good life

ross

Ross - if you want to pm me I will give some contacts in the cartridge collecting scene in Oz that may be able to help with military ammo in packets , or at least some loose shooting ammo .

The only carcano that I have fired was a most unpleasant rifle to shoot , from memory a carbine like yours too. Kicked worse than a martini 303 carbine .....

I had one of those. $50 with 100 rounds. A flame 4 foot long would jump out of the barrel every time I touched off a shot. I sold it to a guy in my rugby club for $100 (he was a winger, so he wasn't to bright )

GBB,
Mate has two 6.5Carcanos, both carbine and long rifle. Trick is to find .268" diameter projectiles (Hornady) or use long .264" and hope they can get a grip on the rifling. With the right projectiles his carbine will benchrest around MOA, and its barrel has seen better days! Finding loaded ammunition is a problem though!
Cheers...
Con

Norma used to make 6.5 carcano loads my only experience with exmill ammo is 1 in 3 goes bang!!!!
Graffs in the US have cases for $29 (us) per 100 if that helps
as for Highland I have had 100 9.3x62 cases on order for about 13 months now so they should be here any time

I would have bought one of the Mausers that Fullers had at the time if I had the money. They seem very dear now compared to the commercial rifles we can buy.

Con, you are not wrong about factory ammo as it has meant to have been in the cuntry for 3 years now. Highland AX stuff. but our gun dealer carn't get it.

Smlekid, I'll try Graffs.

Surprisingly, out of the 500 odd rounds of ex mil I had, only about three never went bang.

Not like a thousand rounds of 8mm Mauser (early turkish) where we were lucky to get one in ten to go bang. And must have been a lot better (in Turkey, i mean) back in 1915. maybe it was German?

Yep, nice flame out of the barrel.

Good boom too.

ross

in my Verguireo (spelling) I have given up trying to find a reload that will match the accuracy of the turk stuff it is just fantastic in my rifle most of what I am using is 1950's and it sure goes boooom!!! chronys at 3000fps out of a 24" barrel yikes!!!!

Smlekid
I have a Verguerio in 8mm. Great little pig gun

they are sweet little shooters aern't they

My 8 mm Mauser is Turkish and is quite accurate.

It would have been nice back in the 70's to have been able to buy one of those Argentine Mausers they had for sale at the time.

They must be a nice rifle.

Regarding the Turkish 8mm ammunition being sold currently. Just for laughs pull a few apart and measure the charges ... you'll love the quality control. A few MRC members are pulling them and reducing the loads for a bit more consistency. Its good ammunition but can run hot.
Cheers...
Con

Nothing wrong with Carcanos,using the right projectiles(.268")They are a front locking Mauser action made with CZ steel.
Cleavers had Highland AX ammo from memory,good for cases but I think? the projectiles are .264"??.

Berreta made versions are more desireable-least made.

M41 top(long),M38 bottom(short rifle-not a carbine).

Mine's a M38, by the look of it.