This hundred and five year old cartridge isn't the fastest shooter, isn't the longest shooter, and isn't the hardest shooter, but I just came back from my first of the season Texas Hill Country hunt and it sure put paid to three doe, one Axis and two Whitetail with as perfect killing as you could ask for. The bullets were 156 grain RWS H-Mantles and 160 grain Hornaday RNs, which all worked to perfection in the two rifles, well carbines, that I used. Both guns, a MCA Mannlicher-Schoenauer, and a Steyr SBS-96 will shoot those bullets into 3/4 inch or less at 100 yards, more than good for a TX hunt. Only problem is that the SBS won't feed the RWS bullet. This is one cartridge the old guys got right the first time. Of course, a deer hunter cannot go wrong using any of the three 6.5mm clones of the 1890s, the 6.5x54mm, 6.5x55mm, or the 6.5x57mm, plus we have the modern clone of them all, the .260 Remington too. Why burn twice as much powder, ruin more meat and suffer more recoil when a sweet lil 6.5mm does the job everytime?

I totally agree.

But magnums are macho!!!!!!!!!!

Lyle

I've agreed with your thinking ever since 1947 when I got my first 6.5...the rimmed version of the 6.5x54, called the 6.5x53-R.

Glad to hear you are putting those fine M/S rifles to use rather than dis'ing them by making 'em into closet queens like so many "collectors" do...

I have a 1903 MS carbine with factory Khales scope installed before 1910. Love it. I had trouble getting the 54mm, so my custom is a 55mm Swede, but for the same reasons you are stating I have designed the rifle around the 155-160 grain slugs and 2400-2600 fps.

Thanks Canuck, I've been a dedicated 6.5x54mm Mannlicher hunter since 1982. They are a dream to use, and more macho than a magnum cause they slap down the game like a maggie without the meat loss. Of course, I'm a strict meat hunter.
LLS

quote:

Originally posted by YUMAN:
But magnums are macho!!!!!!!!!!

Lyle

No flames wanted here, but the above statement is akin to the saying about guys who drive the BIG 4x4 trucks, perhaps trying to offset other 'little things'

It boils down to preference. I think a '54' is a great round and funny the x55 lovers, now pendulum has been 6BR's, 6x47 Lapua, now a 6.5 Hornady "Creedmore" so NOTHING bad to say about what a x54 is all about. Great round, classic, and lots of history.

Wondering about your velocity if you have checked on those 54 loads?

Hi 6.5BR
Velocity is 2375fps with the round nose and 2360fps with the 156 gr RWS H-Mantle. Powder charge is 37.5 grains or Norma N203, Norma cases, Federal 210 primers. Has been a "standard" load of mine for fifteen years in a M1903 and the MCA.
LLS
Mannlicher Collector

Thanks for the info.

If I really wanted to be cool, I'd load some heavies in my 7BR, be something neat, hear the 160-175's do 2300 or thereabouts. Might come close to heels of the x54 loads you refer to.

Very efficient killers. I put a 168 through a VERY large hardwood tree years ago, both sides, REALLY surprised me it just sailed right on through! Hate to get in front of it!

Yeppers, a long, heavy for caliber, small diameter bullet is a potent critter, very much akin to a lady's five inch spiked heel, Ouch!!!!

Who says the good old boys didn't know how to figure their ammo designs in the 1890s and early 1900s??