Greetings to all! I would like to know from the pro's what MODERN action would be suitable to build a custom 6.5x54 MS? I believe the dimensions of this cartridge are smaller than standard Mauser and that it might be a problem. I am only interested in this particular 6.5 and would appreciate any feedback. Many thanks

A Savage action with a Sharp Shooter supplied Bolt face. roger

Many thanks for the replies.

I just saw this old post. How did you rifle in 6.5x54 turn out? Any photos or a rsnge report?

There are still some old Greek MS military actions around. Since you want the rifle in the original caliber, these old actions would be ideal with a new barrel chambered for the 6.5 x 54. Current bore sizes of .264 would provide better accuracy with production bullets than the original. Trigger work would be much desired, but the action is one of the best. Sights and or scope mounting is always a challenge due to the split bridge.

Geoff

I guess lal found out ages ago that the cartridge head is only about .448" compared with the Mauser's .470. That would make it quite hard to adapt to any other bolt and magazine.

Actually, easy; take a .223 bolt and open it up and mod the extractor, on most any modern action. Or solder a bushing into a .308 size face and do the same thing. but install an M16 extractor on a Rem 700.

I think there is a Remington 700 6.5x54 for sale on gunbroker.com at this time. It has a heavy SS barrel and is $1995.00.

The second rifle I ever built was in Gunsmith school in 1952. It was 6.5x54MS. I built it on a new FN model 98 action. I made absolutely no modifications to the action and it functioned flawlessly. Barrel was a Douglas cause that's what the bookstore sold at the time. Stock was a Maple/Walnut laminate that TSJC had invented and they were selling blanks in the bookstore. It made up into a very nice rifle.

Does anyone have a 6.5X54 MS reamer that I can borrow / hire?

My old Greek conversion has a stuffed barrel and I would like to put a new barrel on it.

I think I have a Greek MS barreled action stuck in a corner of one of my bunkers. I'll look for it if you are interested.

Frank Martinez has a barreled 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer action for sale.......it is a rifle length barrel, but could easily be shortened to just about any length a guy would want.

Thanks guys. I live in New Zealand and it is not realistic to import a barreled action. I just need a reamer.