6.5x54

[Rob]

Just remember that the average West Coast Blacktail deer is about as big as a dog.

Yeah, I must admit that the Haida Gwaii deer season makes me a little jealous. Isn't it about 8 months long, with massive bag limits? Our whitetail season in Nova Scotia is 3 months long if you take advantage of the bow and muzzleloader seasons like I do, which still seems good to me compared to the short seasons we used to have.

The rifle arrived in the mail yesterday, I'll try to post a photo later on today.

 

[Rob]

Last weekend I picked up 3 boxes of brand new (NOS) 6.5x54 Norma factory hunting ammunition at a local gunshow. $20 per box of 20 rds.

 

[bjmurata]

Last weekend I picked up 3 boxes of brand new (NOS) 6.5x54 Norma factory hunting ammunition at a local gunshow. $20 per box of 20 rds.[/QUOTE
That is a pretty good score for sure and exactly why I never pass up a chance to check out a gunshow, you never know what may pop up.

 

[carverk]

Just remember that the average West Coast Blacktail deer is about as big as a dog.

But thers lots of them I will take 15 small deer over one or two big deer any day of the week
I think it opens today for BUCKS !
Plus the salmon are in the rivers it is good to be me Haahaa

 

[Rob]

But thers lots of them I will take 15 small deer over one or two big deer any day of the week
I think it opens today for BUCKS !
Plus the salmon are in the rivers it is good to be me Haahaa

If you are willing to take 150 gophers over "15 small deer (over one or two big deer)", I know of a good private farm field in Alberta I can get you permission to shoot on.

 

[west250]

Just remember that the average West Coast Blacktail deer is about as big as a dog.

Those are just the ones you see in the easy places.

 

[Rob]

Nice deer. (Although I prefer photos with the hunter or a rifle or something somewhere in front of the game so you get a more accurate sense of scale). I've shot plenty of Blacktails, including "big" Blacktail bucks, so I know what "big" means in relationship to Blacktails. I've also shot plenty of big Alberta Whitetail bucks and I know the very real differences between "big" deer of the various species. But its all relative and its all good. Congratulations.

By the way, the smallest Blacktail I ever shot was with a 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine.

 

[west250]

Nice deer. (Although I prefer photos with the hunter or a rifle or something somewhere in front of the game so you get a more accurate sense of scale). I've shot plenty of Blacktails, including "big" Blacktail bucks, so I know what "big" means in relationship to Blacktails. I've also shot plenty of big Alberta Whitetail bucks and I know the very real differences between "big" deer of the various species. But its all relative and its all good. Congratulations.

By the way, the smallest Blacktail I ever shot was with a 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine.

Was my hunting partner's buck. 165 on the hook and a hard drag out.

 

[bellum]

I'm curious about how many people here hunt with a 6.5x54.

In the past I've hunted with the 6.5x55 in a Husqvarna 1640 and a Heym SR-30, but I have been without a 6.5mm rifle for about a year now. So when I stumbled across a different 6.5mm in the form of a Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903 in 6.5x54 I couldn't help myself. Now I'm just waiting for Canada Post to drop it off.

I have wanted one of these little carbines for years, but it is kind of fitting that I finally found one just one week after I finished reading The Wonderings of an Elephant Hunter by W.D.M Bell.

As RWS ammo runs $99-$119 per box, any suggestions on good sources of brass and dies, or even factory ammo at a more reasonable price, would be appreciated. If anyone has any load suggestions I would appreciate that too. I plan on sticking to 150-160 grain round nose bullets as I understand that feeding can be problematic in these rifles with shorter projectiles. I will probably use Woodleighs or Lapua Megas.

Hi,
Best load for my 6.5 X 54 MS is 38.0 grains of IMR4350 using Norma Brass and pushing a Hornady 160 gr. RN Interlock #2640. COAL= 2.996", Winchester LR primer.
Average 3 shot group @ 100 yards =.6932". Best group = .6530". Work up your own loads at least 10% below to start and watch for pressure signs. Not expensive to shoot.
Murder on Alberta Whitetails.
My rifle does not shoot lighter spitzers at all well, so stick with 160 gr. RN - stay within 300 yds as these bullets drop quickly after 200.
For faster flatter shooting 6.5s go to a .260 Remington or 6.5 X 55 Swede (almost identical) or 6.5 X .284 if you can stand a shorter barrel life!