Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5X54 mannlicher schonaur

This one slated for use this season. Built the same year that I was, 1952 in 30-06. It has held it's condition much better than I have....

I had a chance to buy a Swiss cheese 1903 in 6.5x54 (IIRC) for $400 a few years ago. It needed a lot of work to restore it to it's former glory, but for that price, it would have been worth it. Back then I didn't often have $400 to spend on something so frivolous as an old gun in need of repair. Just not practical.

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Two rifles that have owned my heart for years are the Brno Models 21 and 22 and those lovely little 1903 Manlicher Shonaurs.

I have owned a couple of 1903s and hunted with them some, and I cannot think of a sweeter rifle..Alas I have always sold them as the value continues to climb and I couldn't turn down the profit, same with the Brnos, but I still have a couple of Brnos.

Anytime I run across a 1903 thats price right I will grab it right there and then..

As to its fabled killing power, that came from a long 160 gr. cup and core bullet that penetrated like the dickens and if a bullet gets inside where its supposed to be, then it kills and it did that big time.

It was so good that it got some folks killed because they pushed beyond its capabilities on big nasty animals such as Lion..Today I would shoot premium bullets in the 120 to 140 wt. It is still a dandy deer, antelope rifle and if used properly a decent enough elk rifle.

I had one of those old MS 6.5-54's and if it had good scope on it with a mount that I could stand to look at I would have kept it.

Later I got a MS in .358W and its thicker over the magazine than a Brno22F. Its well made and all but the Brno 21's and 22's please me more.



At its balance point the MS full stock carbine above is a full two inches wide. A Brno 22F is only 1 5/8" wide at the same balance point. Thats a huge difference and it favors the much handier feeling 22F.

Like this pile...

Those are killers...that 3rd one down is outstanding..
Where do I address the check,so you don't have to keep them on the floor...

rifle,

Your on top of the game. I am still looking and you made an offer already. No wonder you have got them all!

Rifle, that's not the floor, that's my wifes side of the bed much to her dismay.
If I sold that rifle what would I do on 9X56 day?? If you insist though, just leave that part that says amount blank,
I'll be glad to take care of that part for ya.....

Thanks guys, I do enjoy them but they are getting really hard to find without signing over the first born.

BTW Rifle, It looks to me like you are about out of wall space. There are three of four on the front end there that look like they could use a new home????

Yes,I'm looking at a new safe now...
So,if your wife needs a place to sleep,I'll extend my offer to take all the rifles and you'll have plenty of room and my new safe will be full.... for balance!!
Do you have all the calibers? Help me in my plea to Hornady to make ammo...call them ,email them....

Those rifles were much warmer than the wife while she was observing the location of them that day.
Not all of the calibers, missing the 9.3x57. I have seen a few but not in the condition that I would like. One of these days when I least expect it maybe.
Have you had any encouragement at all from Hornady? Maybe the 6.5X54 if we were real lucky.

I agree on the 9.5,they are hard to find in condition that will warrant the prices.Are you a member of MCA?
All Hornady said they would look into,when I related the fact of them making other 'odd'rounds,they look at the number of firearms made and how many are still around? 6.5 JAP,.455 Webley
I think it would be a good market and cause a few more Mannlichers to come out of the closet....that didn't sound just right,but anyway,that's my thoughts...

You are correct, I should have said 9.5 instead of 9.3 Not the brightest bulb in the morning I guess. No, not a member of the MCA. I have heard of it but have never joined.

In answer to the original poster that we have hijacked terribly, you bettcha I hunt with mine. They are all a joy but the 1903 (6.5X54 m/s) is probably the most fun. I have seen a lot of deer go down very hard when hit with one of these things. Looking at the ammo or reading the ballistics one might not think so but there is somthing really right in the mix.

I really like your 1952 model. Prolly my favorite. The blued swept back bolt handle and small cheek piece does it for me. I never liked the 1956 model because of the concave over size cheekpiece, but it has grown on me because of it's uniqueness.

Please post any favorite loads for the 6.5x54MS.

The 1950 and 1952 Mannlichers are especially stylish and functional. I like the slim buttstock and grip.

Sako, thanks for the compliment on the 1952. Not sure why I havn't used it for hunting yet as it does shoot fine, maybe this year.
Loads for the 6.5X54, I have two of them that I like. One is with 30 grs of IMR 4064 below a 160 Sierra SMP, fed 210 primer loaded to an OAL of 3.080 The other and probably easier is the 160 Hornady RN seated to the cannalure over 39 grs of Rel 22 with the fed 210 primer. All the usual rules apply, start low etc.
Not sure if you are aware of possbile headspace problems but all of mine have a little extra head space. I believe that this was supplied from the factory. To avoid courting possible head seperations it's a good idea to start with fresh brass and put a false shoulder on it with a crush fit. Or lube the cases and fire form with a bit of pistol powder and some wadding.

I have an MCA in 6.5 that I have yet to load for despite having all the components on hand, including the Hornadys. I think I bought 4350 to try. A number of years ago I managed to get a number of boxes of Norma factory ammo with 139 grain bullets. I have fired brass from the rounds that I shot from those loads. I still have some boxes left, but always heard that the 160 grain bullets were the wy to go.

You are off to a real good start. The MCA probably has a .264 groove and the headspacing was probably set up correctly. For the sake of having a 6.5X54 I would really like to have one of the later ones.

Get out there and shoot somthing!!

I also have a .358 Win and a .30-06. All MCA's, but love the 1952!

Try the 120, 129, or 140 grain bullets. I would start with a 129 Sierra or Hornady. IMR 4064 or 3031 is a better powder for that small case. That will put you in the 2,400 fps range, which is like a reduced hunting load for the 7mm-08, flat shooting enough for deer at 200 yards.