6.5x55 on an intermediate mauser?

22 February 2014, 02:00

z1r

quote:
Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Consider, if you will, chambering for 6,5x68S. It will require a 3.34" magazine box, but deliver about twice as much ME.

Rich

Rich, you really need to recheck your math.

If you limit the discussion to published loads for both cartridges the 6.5x55 will drive a 140 to 2700 fps while the 6.5x68 will net 3000 fps for an increase in ME of 33%. Not an insubstantial increase but certainly not double the energy. It does however require a long (standard) action vs an intermediate.

Remember that the magazine boxes on "intermediate" length mausers varied quite a bit. The 6.5x55 uses a longer box than the 7x57 as produced in military rifles. The feed ramp on the SR Mexican action is based on the 78mm cartridge length of the 7x57 whilst the 6.5x55 box was made for teh longer 80mm length of its cartridge. Not a huge deal to fit a 6.5x55 box to a SR Mexican action.

Aut vincere aut mori

22 February 2014, 03:18

montea6b

quote:
Originally posted by setch:
From the numbers I have reviewed, I don't believe the 6.5x55 Swedish (with an OAL of 3.15) will not run in an intermediate mauser action, such as a M24 (which has a box length of 3.115).

I wouldn't get too hung up on published max OAL. Book numbers are good to reference but if you are building this for yourself the only thing that really matters is what you plan to shoot in it, and whether that will fit. I don't have any intermediate length magazine boxes, but I do have several boxes of ammo for my Swede. Here's what they actually measure:

2.98" - PPU commercial load, 139 grain bullet
3.02" - Federal load, 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw
3.09" - FMJ milsurp pointy nosed bullet of unknown weight
3.13" - FMJ milsurp round nosed bullet of unknown weight

The last round looks ridiculously long to me... Here's a photo, left to right as described above:

According to the box length you posted above only the last cartridge would not fit, and the box could probably be elongated enough by filing to allow it to fit. I have done this to fit FMJ milsurp 30.06 into a standard length Mauser box. If I went by max OAL for the 30.06 I might have talked myself out of the project.

I don't think you would have a problem with fitting most "standard" loads into your intermediate action.

Aut vincere aut mori

Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.

What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.