[sgc]

Ive read some of the old posts on this round. I recently purchased a rifle tagged dutch mannlicher 6.5x53r, Hemburg. It does say HEMBURG 1918 on the left side of the receiver and it says mannlicher on the receiver where the bullet ejects.

I am trying to reload ammo so I can shoot this baby. After reading some of the old posts, I am confused.

I slugged the barrel and I have .257/.268 .

I read somewhere that the carcano had .268 grooves? is this true? Is it possible I don't even have a 6.5x53r.

Any help would be appreciated both in the true identification and reloading.

Thank You

[NCsmitty]

According to the cartridge drawing, the 6.5x53R uses .263-.264" bullets. I don't know what's going on with your barrel measuring .268".
You can try .264 bullets to see if your rifle will shoot them accurately, then try .268 Carcano bullet size, if you cannot get the .264 bullets to group.
As sometimes happens, some European barrels do not conform to U.S. standards.

I'm guessing that you have not fired the rifle yet, do you have empty brass to try in the rifle for fit?
You can always check the chamber dimensions by using cerrosafe alloy.



NCsmitty

[sgc]

I guess I did the slugging correct. Carefully and slowly, forced a round pellet of lead down the barrel w/ a rod. Then measured with a set of digital callipers.

Thanks you for the info. I guess that is the only thing to do. Try the .264, then the .268 if needed

[sportclay]

I load this cartridge(256 Mannlicher) for a double rifle. I have had some experience with the Hemburg. When you slugged the bore did you slug the entire barrel length? Wear at the muzzle or throat erosion might give a false measurment if a complete slug of the entire barrel was not done. Corrosive priming and possible "freshening" of the bore? Most of these rifles were apparently designed to shoot the 156 gr bullet. I don't know if these were converted (sights changed) to a lighter bullet like the Swedish Mausers were. My Reilly double is regulated for the 156 gr and 42.5 gr of IMR 4350 gives about 2450fps and regulates to the sights. This same load shot through my friends Hembrug shoots to the military sights. If the bore is that oversized I suspect accuracy may not be too great. But, unless you try you won't know. If it is that oversized try Hawk Bullets they may have an over size bullet available. Carcano's are .264-.265" bores. You will have to change the expander plug in your die more than likely If you do have to use an oversized projectile. I have been using Hawk bullets. Several years ago I encountered a good quantity of RWS and Norma cases at a gun show. I had been making cases from 303 British. I would doubt your rifle is any other caliber than 6.5 x53R. If in doubt do a chamber cast. If you have a fired cartridge check the bolt face to make sure the head fits properly. Any change to some thing like a Carcano would require some major changes to the bolt face as the carcano has a smaller rimless case. The whole cartridge is smaller. A very impractical conversion.

[sgc]

Yes I did the whole barrel length. I took a 00 buck pellet, tapped it in the muzzle end, carefully. I used a patch between the lead and the cleaning rod. Once started, I could feel it twisting with the rifling, and it pushed through easily, grabbing the whole way until reaching the chamber.

When I look down the barrel, the rifling is cut deep. Not pitting, smooth.

The rifle is sporterized, has all matching numbers, and the barrel does not appear to be shortened, has a bent bolt, serial 4479QQ.

Thanks for the info on reloading. This will

[sgc]

slugged again
.256/.267

[sgc]

no empty brass. I am waiting on dies to reform 303.

[sportclay]

Given the lack of standardization at the time I don't think those bore dimensions are that far out of whack. You might try Huntingtons, Graf &Sons,Natchez, Buffalo arms for brass. I haven't checked Buffalo lately but they sometimes make up some obsolete calibers. I have shot some of the older RWS brass 12-15 times. Norma I have found to be slightly smaller in base diameter which has resulted in more expansion and thus shorter life. It will depend on your chamber. Hawk bullets for some of these older rounds solves many bore size anomallies. They are soft lead cores and soft copper jackets that have choice of jacket thickness from .025" and up. These bullets I have found will upset or obdurate to varying bore diameters. and are easy on older barrels with softer/milder steel. and they are the proper shape for these older rounds. I use them in all my double rifles and other obsolete metric and English rounds I load for. It is a great white tail cartridge. Keep your eyes open at gun shows. Good luck with your project.

[sgc]

thanks for all the help guys

[sportclay]

http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesMannlicher.html#a rifles Mannlicher-Dutch

http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesMannlicher.html#a rifles Mannlicher-Dutch