I'm just curious how many of you have or use one of these? This caliber had a pretty good reputation in Arica early in the 20th century and I find myself on kind of a nostalgic bent these days. Just curious how many people take one into the fields anymore.

I've got an old Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903 in this caliber and have had a lot of fun playing with it. I load a 160 gr Hornady round nose over 37.4 gr og H4831SC. It will group better than I can shoot it with the peep sight it carries. I used this on a Texas Dahl last June and found it to be very effective.

So, lets hear the stories about these grand old guns.

Mac

Hi, Some few years ago I had a little 6.5 mannlicher it was without doubt the prettiest rifles I have owned. The action and bolt had been colour case hardened and with a Zeiss 4x scope with a German no 4 reticule it looked the business. That was the good bit, it shot all over hell. The chamber and bore were over size. Some time later I read an article by Ken Waters who had simular experience with a 6.5 Mannlicher.
I now have a Mannlicher MCA in 270 It's good, though not quite as pretty a rifle, it will put three shots into half an inch. That's better.
I'm originaly from Wales in the UK where we had a saying used when assesing a working dog
"Handsome is as handsome does" this is equally true when thinking of rifles!
It's good to hear you have an accurate 6.5 MS I would quite like a good "doer" in that calibre.

I wish I could find one.

I have one in 270 and would gladly swap it for a 6.5.

Have an MS 1956 in '06 and would much rather have one in 6.5. Took my first and only elk with it in New Mexico a few years ago when I lived out there. Mine kicks something awful -- the inspiration for my mini-30 purchase 11 years ago. Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles are solid, really great rifles.

my 1903 6.5 M/S carbine is quite accurate too BUT cases separate after a couple loadings....I guess it has a too-large chamber as someone else alluded to earlier here...

fortunately, I have a modest supply of both new RWS brass and factory loads which should enable me to enjoy it for awhile....it really is such a joy to carry......

Gentlemen

RWS is now offering factory ammo for 6.5 x 54 Mann.Sch. with TMR 10.3 gram bullet

http://www.rws-munition.de/de/jagd_patronen/anwendungsberater.htm

Cheers
/ JOHAN

I had one in a MS carbine with the white line spacers. Mine would separate the cases at the expansion webs with just one shot or at least weaken them.

I tried necking them up to .35" etc. but I never figured that rifle out. It would shoot the 120 Sierra into 1.25" at a 100 yds though.

If I could score a really old one like the 1903 I might keep it and deal with it. While that late MS was cute it was not made right.

Someone said that they are the best rifle for looking at when waiting in the woods for something. What with the bolt handle in centerfield, the pistol grip behind home plate and the slooow locktime I don't miss it much.

Not too much anyway. Now if I could find another and try it again........

Gentlemen,
What made the 6.5 Manchlicher famous was a light rifle, with low recoil, with a high sectional density bullet, that gave great penetration, thus killed even BIG big game.

MLG and 390ish I have an idea for you.
MLG load a 150 or 160 grain RN at @ 2200 to 2300 fps...
390ish, load a 180 RN at 2300 fps or a 220 RN at 2200fps.
You both will have near the same ballistics as the 6.5, ie a long RN with a high SD at moderate velocity. You will have less recoil, longer brass life and a great killer.

Load some up and let us know how it works out.

Stay in touch, gentlemen.....I am expecting two '03 carbines (stutzen) from Germany in the next few months....since I already have and use one, I will sell 2 of the 3 when all are in hand.
aax1@bellsouth.net

I would be interested. I live in the Daytona area. I've been looking for a MS in 6.5.