Mannlichers....

Hi everyone - I have an early 50's (I believe) Mannlicher-Schoenauer full stock in the traditional 6.5. I took it to the range today and had problems feeding PRIVI 6.5 x 54 MS 156 grain SP RN. Very impressed with Canadaammo for carrying such obscure ammunition!

The rifle has the words 6.5 NORM stamped on the barrel. I was told that this was how they used to call the 6.5 x 54 cartridge. Now I am wondering if the type of ammo I have is wrong? Basically, the bullet part would get hung up and not feed into the chamber. Sorry if my terminology is not correct! I could load one at a time but definitely could not cycle a cartridge with more than one round in the rotary magazine. The bolt would then be very hard to action.

So, any thoughts? Is the 6.5 NORM (Norma) the same as the 6.5 x 54 MS? I could not find a reference on Google to MS 6.5 NORM either.

Thanks!
 
This is an excellent thread and I have a question for the Mannlicher experts.

I have a Mod. 1910 takedown 9.5 and I'm wondering what the pistol grip compartment was meant for.... spare front sight inserts perhaps or cleaning patches maybe ??
I'm also looking for a source for loading dies as it has a very good bore, CH is I think the only company making dies for it.
So, if anyone has a set of 9.5X56 MS dies to sell please PM me..
 
These aren't actually Mannlichers but they are "Mannlicher-type" rifles, in that they have fullstocks, so I'll put them on here. I picked them up for very reasonable prices at a local gunshow last weekend: a 1914 (one hundred year old!) Oberndorf Mauser type S in 7x57 and a 1948 Brno 22F in 8x57JS. Both in very good condition, including the bores. Well-maintained working rifles.

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"I have a Mod. 1910 takedown 9.5 and I'm wondering what the pistol grip compartment was meant for.... spare front sight inserts perhaps or cleaning patches maybe ??"

Its for a spare front sight and there isn't room for much more. Several Mannlichers I have bought had the spare front sight in the compartment.

(The takedown cleaning rods go in the top hole of the buttplate compartment. The two bottom holes are for spare cartridges.)
 
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6.5 Normal (NOT "Norma") should be the same as 6.5 x 54 and so this ammo should work. Buy some other brand of ammo and see if you have the same problem. Some of the discount brands can be a little rough in terms of correct dimensions, etc. I sometimes use a discount brand 156 grain 6.5 and it always hangs up a little at the front of the magazine when I cycle it into the chamber. I've learned to give it a robust push.

Island_gunner said:
Hi everyone - I have an early 50's (I believe) Mannlicher-Schoenauer full stock in the traditional 6.5. I took it to the range today and had problems feeding PRIVI 6.5 x 54 MS 156 grain SP RN. Very impressed with Canadaammo for carrying such obscure ammunition!

The rifle has the words 6.5 NORM stamped on the barrel. I was told that this was how they used to call the 6.5 x 54 cartridge. Now I am wondering if the type of ammo I have is wrong? Basically, the bullet part would get hung up and not feed into the chamber. Sorry if my terminology is not correct! I could load one at a time but definitely could not cycle a cartridge with more than one round in the rotary magazine. The bolt would then be very hard to action.

So, any thoughts? Is the 6.5 NORM (Norma) the same as the 6.5 x 54 MS? I could not find a reference on Google to MS 6.5 NORM either.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
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Rob said:
6.5 Normal (NOT "Norma") should be the same as 6.5 x 54 and so this ammo should work. Buy some other brand of ammo and see if you have the same problem. Some of the discount brands can be a little rough in terms of correct dimensions, etc. I sometimes use a discount brand 156 grain 6.5 and it always hangs up a little at the front of the magazine when I cycle it into the chamber. I've learned to give it a robust push.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks Rob - this was very helpful. We had thought the NORM stood for Norma. I don't reload and I have only been able to find the PRIVI ammo from canadaammo. What other brands are available and where should I be looking?
 
I thought it was different but I was mistaken, the one I was using is also prvi ammo....I'm not sure who else beside NORMA (expensive) makes it.
 
Rob said:
I thought it was different but I was mistaken, the one I was using is also prvi ammo....I'm not sure who else beside NORMA (expensive) makes it.
Click to expand...

RWS also makes limited runs of 6.5x54. There are a couple of boxes on the shelf in town - +$90/box.

FWIW my M1903 6.5x54 would not chamber handloads with 160gr Hornady RN bullets either. Nosler Ballistic tips were good.
 
I have two Brno 22F fullstock 8x57 JS rifles, both with a "round top" receiver..one dated 1945 is in minty, almost new condition and there is this very good condition 1948 dated version.

What are the 1948 Brno and the 1914 Mauser comparatively worth? I suppose whatever someone is willing to pay for them. The Obendorf Mausers do seem to command the premium prices these days. (After all, Mauser only made less than 127,000 complete sporters and sporter actions - between 1898-1946! This includes all models and variations. Almost none compared to the many millions of the Mauser military production.)

Re: Brnos
I note that the 1945 has a bolt guide rib, a slot on the bottom of the rear receiver bridge for the bolt guide rib and a clip loading cut out. The 1948 version has none of these (see pictures below).

1945 Brno 22F with bolt guide rib and a clip loading cut out.
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1948 Brno22F No bolt guide rib and no clip loading cut out.
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Robin, you got that! I hmimed and hawed about it and it was gone when I phoned Epps. I have a standard stocked Sako 78, it is the most accurate rimfire I have ever shot, including Annie prone rifles. The only downside is magazines, they are expensive. I remember buying a spare magazine for mine in 79 or 80, it was $35.00. Congratulations.
 
I am old enough to have seen these rifles when they were newly available. Guncraft in Calgary always had a good selection of them, I never saw a mannlicker model there, I do remember standard models there in .22 mag., and .22 Hornet. I have seen 2 Biathalon models at Calgary gunshows, they have 4 or 5 magazines in a mount under the bottom of the butstock.

I have a Leupold 4x Rimfire special on mine, it is a nice size for it. A 3-9 is a better choice than a 4x I think.
 
No one seems to have ever seen a "Mannlicher" version M-78. I would really like to hear from someone with another one...or who reliably has seen another one....anywhere.

Anyway, I took it to the range. There was really no difference between it and my 1958 Brno Model 5. In gusty wind both shot my discount Federal bulk ammo into approx. 3/8 inch at 25 yds and 1 inch at 50 yards. The Brno might have had an advantage with its crystal clear 26mm 4X Swarovski, but the flat bottom forend of the Sako was easier to bed on the front bag.

(Note: As seen in the first photo, the other rifles I was shooting were a Model 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer 6.5 x54 and an Oberndorf Mauser Type S 8x57.)


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