Steyr Mannlicher M95 question / problem / philosophical conundrum

louthepou

louthepou

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Hi guys,

So, I bought this Steyr M95 recently for a really good price. The stock was aweful, and grime and crud was everywhere. (Cleaning it was a fine learning experience, especially about the magazine inner workings and tiny screws and "how in the world do these go back together now")

I got a replacement stock from Numrich - cheap, wahoo! Put everything together, went to the range this morning...

And the bolt doesn't close on the ammo. It's almost there but, not quite.

I will boldly assume that, despite what the previous owner believed (without having shot it), it's not in 8x56, but rather 8x50... How do I make sure? I mean, there's no other logical explanation, is there?

And if it's indeed in 8x50... well I am not sure there's a way to find either ammo for it (that doesn't cost $10 per round), or even reloading seems quite the challenge... Thanks for any advice or insight,

Lou

 
If there is no large "S" or "H" stamped on top of the chamber, then she is likely 8x50R Austrian.

Do you have a picture of the top of the receiver ?
 
louthepou said:
Nope, no "S". I should have clued in, but it never occured to me to check when I received the rifle.
Click to expand...

You scored - as they're scarce in 8X50R.

I have stocks in stock - should have asked me. ;)

Do you now need one in 8X56R to shoot? If so, please ask.
 
I should indeed have thought about contacting you, Andy - you appreciator of odd oddities! :D We'll chat for sure!

Nabs, no doubt about it, the only markings on top are "Steyr M95" on the receiver, a tiny "15" (I think) over the chamber, and a tiny "F" on the barrel right behind the rear sight.

Lou
 
These 8x50R rifles are quite interesting, it makes you wonder where they were to be absent from the 8x56r modifications.

For example, I have three 8x50R examples, one is a rifle that is a vet bring back and unit marked to a mountain troop regiment, another is an Italian capture stutzen, and a third is a AOI marked stutzen for Italian East Africa.

Dies are pretty expensive for this calibre and are around $80-90 for a set. Brass can be formed from 7.62x54R or 8x56R, my best friend used 8x56R in his AOI example. I am told you can use .323 bullets but they have to be flat based so it can expand to grip the rifling.
 
Proper load for the 8x50R Austro-Hungarian cartridge was a 244-grain slug at a touch over 2000 ft/sec.

I use 7.62x54R brass in mine, just with the neck cut back a touch.

I can't afford the fancy proper die set, so I am using my 8mm Lebel dies (Lee) to push the shoulder back just enough to get them into the chamber, then fire-form to my rifle. Works fine.

.323" slug is okay for the 8x50R. As mentioned already, flat-base are often necessary for proper obturation. Faster powders come closest to the original types; no military ever loaded a modern progressive powder for combat use: too much expense, weight to ship and carry around. There are American-made commercial bullets as heavy as 225 grains. I tried 150s in mine and they shot REEEEEALLY high!

Hope this helps.
 
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