[Cosmoline]

I saw an article about one of these beauties in the latest "Rifle" magazine. Chambered for 6.5 MS. Sweet, sweet looking thing. There's nothing like it on the market today.

Does anyone own or use one of these? Are there any drawbacks, other than price?

[elmer1007]

Hi there
I agree with you. I have a military 03/14 Greek MS carbine
which uses the 6.5 ms round. This is one of the smoothest and most accurate of my military carbines. I also have a NO. 3 New Model 95 Dutch Mannlicher carbine in 6.5 mm by 53R. This is the rimmed version of the 6.5 MS I make my cases for it from the .303 British. I also have a British Sporter built on the Steyr 95 action in the same caliber. requires a clip to use.

[nextjoe]

I've drooled over them many, many times, but never owned one. Are you referring to the Ross Seyfried article about the rifle Ken Waters used to own? That's not actually a M-S, but a Steyr 1899.

Best,
Joe

[BigG]

IIRC, Mannlicher designed the action with the rear locking lugs and non rotating bolt head while Schoenaeur was credited with the spool type magazine. Nextjoe is correct; the other mannlichers you mentioned are not really MS without the spool mag.

I had a .243 sporting model with the Mannlicher stock. Tack driver. Why did I sell it? :banghead:

[Cosmoline]

Hmmm. Clearly, I need to buy some of these to get them all straight in my mind.

[Lone Star]

I once had the M1908 8X56mm carbine. Double-set triggers. Used it with Speer-imported DWM ammo. Had one box of Western-loaded ammo from the 1930's. I think the gun came from the estate of an older hunter from this area. Very well kept rifle.

At 100 yards, I got about three-inch groups with the factory iron sights.

I saw an article by the late George Nonte, saying that this is one of the very few Schoenauer magazines that could be altered to use 8X57mm Mauser ammo, and had I not had to sell the carbine for tuition money, I'd probably have gone that route. But, a gunsmith advised that I use only US-made 8mm Mauser ammo if I did alter it, as modern European 8x57mm ammo might be marginally too hot.

I used to see old jungle movies where Jon Hall played a scientist in Africa. He used an M-S carbine. "Ramar of the Jungle" was the TV series. I was just a kid then, but recall that rifle even now.

Lone Star

[Mannlicher]

I have......... a couple

1903 in minty condition, 6.5 X 54. Ammo is available. This rife is the full length stocked carbine, double set triggers. I have an older Zeiss Diatal 4X scope on it now.

1908 in very good condition. No scope, factory three leaf rear sight. Exellent shooter. I have a heck of a time finding ammo. Last I bought was from Old Western Scrounger. Some day, I am going to tackle making some.

another 1908. This, like the other, is full length stocked with double set triggers. This one was not in as good shape when I bought it, so I had my gunsmith rebarrel it. Harry McGowen made the barrel, and finished it in a black matte finish. The contour is exactly like the origional, which was shot out and in BAD shape.
This rifle is chambered in 8 X 57 Mauser. The spool mag works pretty well with this cartridge, but you have to really watch over all cartridge length. I have had the best results, with hand loaded rounds, making sure they do not exceed 2.835 inches. I have mounted an old Redfield 5 Star 20mm tube, 2 X 7 power. This rifle groups about 1.75 inches at 100 yards.

I have used this rifle hunting in North Florida, and in the mountains in SW Virginia. It is by far, my favorite rifle for whitetail. I have only taken one deer, with it, but it did its job. This rifle is short, and comes to the shoulder like a fine shotgun. The double set triggers make a longer shot a breeze, yet allow a decent trigger for close in work.

Another Mannlicher-Schoenauer in the safe, is a 1952 rifle, single set trigger, in .270 Win. This is a great shooter, and will shoot sub MOA out to 200 yards. For some reason, this rifle shoots best with 150 grain bullets.

Then there is another more modern Mannlicher, again a rifle, not a carbine, in .30/06...................

Locking lugs are up front, both of them.

Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles are pricy, but they are worth it to me. Unique, very functional, and high quality. They do not wear out. Unloading is a breeze. Just open the bolt, and push the little button and all the rounds just spit out into your hand !

[Gordon]

I have a 56 (Ithink) Deluxe Carbine in 30-06 with a big German variable scope. It was a deceased uncle hunting rifle in 50's and early 60's. I like everything about it: double set triggers, schnabel full length stock, small cheek piece correct height for scope. butterknife bolt handle, mag dump button, internal mechanisms polished and engine turned, 30-06 caliber, heavy picket german reticle(that gets heavier as power gos up!). Downside: a hard rubber butt plate with manufacturer (Steyr ) logo that I can't bear to replace, and a slip on pad is too long.:D