6.5 mannlicher-shoenauer to 6.5x55 swede...

S

Slimbo

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
221   0   0
Location
B.C
I have this gorgeous little carbine that was given to me. Its a Krag jorgerson style side loader, and its barreled in 6.5 mannlicher-shoenauer. I have never fired it, and neither has the previous owner. I can't find any ammo, and do not wish to pay 60 dollars a box, or buy a new set of dies. I was wondering if it is feasible to keep the same barrel on the gun, and simply rechamber it ffor 6.5x55 swede. All help appreciated! thanks!
 
In theory, a 6.5x54MS barrel could be rechambered to 6.5x55. It would have to be determined if the cartridge is compatible with the action. If its a really fine carbine, though, I think I would be loathe to alter it. In addition, it would be cheaper to set up for loading the MS than to alter the carbine.
 
I will never be selling it.the wood is a bit rough on it, and the finish on the barrel is lacking. The bore is shiney and sharp though and the thing looks like its barely been fired. Its tight as a whistle and smooth like glass. It says 6.5mm mannlicher-shoenaur on the side, and there is a very small crown with some fancy letters and 1903 stamped on the reciever just ahead of the bolt face. it has a 20 inch barrel and i can vaguely see some numbers stamped in the sporter stock. He would have wanted the thing to be shot and I was just wondering if converting it to 6.5 swede would be as easy as getting any gunsmith to put a reamer in it, as I already load tons of 6.5 swede for my silhouette rifle. But if it takes more than that, I might as well just get set up for loading the 6.5MS. here are some pics of her.

Edit....Does anyone know a good hosting site? I cant get pics up to save my life...

Another question, there is a small latch on the left rear of the action. When flipped down there is a stamped "AA" on the latch, and when flipped up there is a "S" stamped there. My guess is a magazine cutoff for single shot but I have no clue...anyone know?
thanks again
simon
 
Last edited:
I'd Have a knowledgeable gunsmith look at it, and if it is in the MS caliber you are talking about then I'd get the dies anyway...that is if you need them.
 
Slimbo, use the photobucket website, it works well for me.

I would try to keep it origonal as well. I have seen the x54 dies at gun shows. I am not real familiar with the case dimensions, you may be able to just reform other brass to suit.

Not so sure the 55 Swede would feed through that magazine system as it is a bigger dia.

They are nice guns, one of the very first high powered rifles I ever tried.
Take good care of her!

Noel
 
Last edited:
6.5 * 54

Hello there. I have the same Krag rifle chambered in the Mannlicher round. I had a notion to rechamber for the swede round also. I was told to rebarrel to the same chambering as the way to go. My barrel has alot of wear to the riflings. I broke down and picked up the dies and shell holder and some fine Norma brass. There is plenty of loading data in the current hornady manual. I have tried some various handloads in my gun and feel that the barrel may need to be changed. I have been thinking of rebarrelling down to 6mm and using the existing case to have some wildcat fun on this rifle. I also seen advertisements for a Steyr 6.5 * 53 rimmed barrel for another rifle that I would like to find out if this barrel could fit on my Krag action. It is a slick action that would make a great sporter if could shoot tight groups. I have since seen some sporter Krags on the market already chambered in the 6.5 *55 Mauser round that would be nice hunting guns. Let me know if you would be interested in some loaded ammo or some load data. As I load for my Swede chambered rifles, I have a plethora of bullet types and weights that I could concoct some loads with brand new Norma brass and Imr type cannister powders. Regards
 
Bite the bullet, as it were, and get some 6.5X54 loads and a set of dies. It's a great cartridge and it would be a shame if you turned it to something else.

I used a friends MS in 6.5X54 to take my first big game animal (black bear) so maybe I'm a bit biased though... :)

What province are you in? If it's BC, hell, I'll reload for you- still have the dies.

RC
 
Tuffcity said:
Bite the bullet, as it were, and get some 6.5X54 loads and a set of dies. It's a great cartridge and it would be a shame if you turned it to something else.

I used a friends MS in 6.5X54 to take my first big game animal (black bear) so maybe I'm a bit biased though... :)

What province are you in? If it's BC, hell, I'll reload for you- still have the dies.

RC
Click to expand...
X2, please do not destroy the origional rifle. You can get loaded ammo, I have seen it around. However reloading will get you a better selection.
 
Tuffcity said:
Bite the bullet, as it were, and get some 6.5X54 loads and a set of dies. It's a great cartridge and it would be a shame if you turned it to something else.

I used a friends MS in 6.5X54 to take my first big game animal (black bear) so maybe I'm a bit biased though... :)

What province are you in? If it's BC, hell, I'll reload for you- still have the dies.

RC
Click to expand...


I live in Cranbrook, its in the east kootnays, about 2 hrs from the alberta/b.c border. That would be great if you could do that!

Here she is, i finally got the photo thing sorted out!

223004.jpg

223006.jpg

223008.jpg


You guys have convinced me to keep her in 6.5x54MS, afterall, the bore is bright and sharp. thanks for all the input guys
simon
 
I think I got my last couple of batches of 6.5X54 brass from Epps. Give Wes a call and see if he can help you out. The 6.5X54 was renowned for accuracy, and is a very well balanced cartridge.

I have an original MS carbine in this calibre.
 
That's exactly like the one I used! Man, that rifle was a tack driver.

Hey, my offer stands. I'll have a look through my reload stuff in the next few days, still might even have a few 6.5's kickin' around. I'm pretty sure I don't have any brass though.

And... I know where Cranbrook is. :)

RC
 
Slimbo, if the other guys cant find any brass for you, PM me and I will zap you out a few. I have a couple of hundred, and 2 sets of dies, I already had one, from a previous rifle, then got another set thrown in with my MS carbine.

The Krag is renowned for the smoothness of the action, I have one in 6.5X55 plus one of the Globe conversions in 308 that I load waay down for.
 
LOL!!!


i just bought this gun in the EE, did a search on the caliber to find load data, and found this thread again. funny how that goes. looks like a beaut, even better then the pics in the add. i'm guessing the williams peep sight listed for the Norwegian Krag will fit those holes on the right side of the receiver? will nicely compliment my US Model 1898 Krag.
 
Slimbo said:
I have this gorgeous little carbine that was given to me. Its a Krag jorgerson style side loader, and its barreled in 6.5 mannlicher-shoenauer. I have never fired it, and neither has the previous owner. I can't find any ammo, and do not wish to pay 60 dollars a box, or buy a new set of dies. I was wondering if it is feasible to keep the same barrel on the gun, and simply rechamber it ffor 6.5x55 swede. All help appreciated! thanks!
Click to expand...
I wouldn't bother to rebarrel it, just get some dies and reload for it.
I loaded a bunch for a fella that owned a 6.5X54MS in a Krag ( all original) and he loved it.
It had no problem rocking the 200 meter chicken with the big 156 Norma bullets he gave me to handload for it.

It's a tad weaker than the 6.5X55 Swede, but still a great crtridge IMHO.
brass and dies can be had from Ellwood Epps.
Cat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom