6.5x55 or 7 mauser ???

What happened to these calibers- what do you like

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berettashotgun

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Just sitting here wondering the drawbacks to the excellent intermediate (plus) rounds already available.
How come we received the 6.8 ?
A 6x45 sounds better all the time price/performance wise, but those darned short barrels are reducing the zip on the bullets.
Have an FN-49 in 7x57 and it is a VERY pleasant round to shoot ; possibly the rifle has something to do with this.FN-49's ARE sweet.
Can't think of the name of a rifle chambered in 6.5x55, but the Egyptian version is called the Hakim (?), again Very nice shooter. Lungeman, possibly...
Anybody have a plausible reason these rounds are NOT in some sort of use?
Surely someone can come up with a very similar performance round that has all the attributes of these legendary rounds.
Thinking it out, I'd take an FAL in either of these calibers over a 7.62x51
Chambered in 6x45, the M4 might be the ticket as compared to the 6.8.
I don't know, just thinking......I might just unwrap that Oly Arms barrel (6x45) and put it in a flattop.
 
7x57 Excellent round.
Very versatile and powerful enough to be an all round caliber.

I have Zastava double trigger in 7x57.
 
I did not vote. I like both equally well. My little Ruger #1 light rifle in 7x57 is beautiful and a delight to shoot. I have 5 in 6.5x55, all Swedw 96's and like them equally well.
 
The FN-49 is a great rifle. I would have picked one up if I could find reliable sources of ammo. My buddy and I found that it tended to "lob" the trajectory like a 30.06, while my brother's Swedish Mauser shot much flatter. The metal plate penetration was superior with the 7 x 57, but only marginally over the 6.5 x 55 in our informal tests. I can't say enough good things about 6.5 x 55.

Well the 6.8 SPC provides that nice compromise of having a non-rimmed cartridge that will feed in an autoloader. We all know the flat shooting characteristics of this general class and the stopping advantages over 5.56MM, so the 6.8 SPC provides a blend of stopping power, capacity/firepower in an intermediate (Think 30/30 or 7.62 x 39) package. It's a neat round, but with high prices, there's just not the motivation. Of course, you'll see plenty of rumors about it being used by Special Forces in desert scenarios where the shots tend to be longer than in a jungle or in European theaters.

I have zero experience with 6 x 45 and am curious to learn more.
 
I have owned , shot and handloaded the 7 x57mm Mauser since 1971. (M-98s and M-49 rifles) Plus I have taken every game critter in Alaska except Buffalo with it. In a strong action, with handloads, it can really shine. The commerical ammo is loaded to low pressures due to the old 93 and 95 Mausers and Rolling Blocks that are still out there.

I also have three 6.5x55mm Swede Mausers. They are pretty neat rifles, BUT the 6.5 x55 Mauser does not get to live up to its full potential due to the weaker actions of the 94, 96 and M-38 series. Although if I had a stronger actioned rifle in this caliber it would be hard to resist trying it out on larger game.

Neither will work in the shorter FAL action. But a 260 Rem (a necked down 308) would work and it has about the same ballistics as a good load for a 6.5 Swede.

The problem with achieving good preformance with 6mm, 6.5mm and 6.8mm is the trend (fad) of using shorty barrels on every isued rifle. The loss in velocity makes a smaller projectile rather impotent.
 
In the 1893 through 1896 small ring Mauser actions either the 7x57 or 6.5x55 is hard to beat for practical hunting situations in North America unless you are after something like a grizzley at close range. Surplus ammo for the 7x57 is about 1/3 the price of surplus 6.5x55 these days but your chances of finding a good shooting Swedish M-96 may be better than finding a comparable quality 7mm.

6x45 and 6.8 are DOA. Either are potentially good rounds, but neither will ever rise above curiosity status. The military is not going to change from 5.56 NATO until we get rayguns worked out. Without military adoption, there is no chance that a new intermediate round will ever succeed in the marketplace.
 
IMO the 6.5X55 Cart and Swedish Mauser is inharently one of the most accurate rounds around. I have sporterized numerious over the years and all shot less then MOA. I have and unmolested original that with iron sight at 100 yards off a bench, I put 5 round in one hole the first time I shot it.
 
6.8 is DOA?

Seems like it's getting plenty of gunmaker support -- generally for hunting applications.

Last I checked, the military wasn't using 7mm-08 or .40 S&W either.

There's more to the market than milsurps.

The continued popularity of the .30-06, 6.5x55, and 7x57 is driven by hunting, not military use. AFAIK the 7x57 is the, or one of the, most popular hunting rounds internationally. Note, though, that while all these rounds are chamberings of surplus rifles, there are new rifles being produced and sold that use them. Many of them.
 
Have had Mausers in both 7x57 and 6.5x55. Can't say enough good things about them. Both have great sectional density and BC. They are both capable of incredible accuracy. An added factor also to them both becoming known as a highly favored cartridge is the fact that the quality of the firearms they were origianlly used in is legendary. Those military Mausers were made by old world craftsmen and the results stand as proof to the combination of both cartridge and firearm.
 
I have a 6.5x57mm that is a short handy rifle that is accurate enough for my deer hunting here in VA. jap type 38.
 
I personally prefer the 7x57, simply on the grounds I prefer the recoil and the firearms I have that shoot it versus the firearms I have that fire 6.5x55 and how they handle.
 
Wow, this is a GREAT thread, and one that I've been curious about for some time. I have a mod 1908 Brazilian 7X57 that I love and my son just built a 6.5X55 on a Mauser 98 action (he loves it and it's VERY accurate). I've been thinking of sporterizing mine and possibly changing to a 6.5 but this thread has me thinking twice, Thank you all for contributing and PLEASE continue the thread!

BH
 
My old Swede got stolen years ago (That's another story...they took the WHOLE SAFE). Where's a great place to get a Swedish Mauser these days? We're all dried up in my area.
 
The 6.5x55 Swede is my favorite cartridge also. I am redoing my 1905 Carl Gustaf 1896 Mauser at this time. I hope to have it re-finished before next hunting season as I look forward to taking it into the woods. I shoot the rifle well, and (this is going to sound strange) I love the way the old rifle sits in my hands.
 
Both are excellent, and under appreciated

I prefer the Swede, but they will do everything our favorite rifles will do with a lot less recoil and fuss.
 
I have been on Mauser madness lately.You can see some of them here and some of my test firing.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=333634

I can't say that I have grouped under an inch with my Swedes or any other Mauser but results I have had with factory ammo,some ammo working better than others with typical Mauser sights that are not condusive to target shooting,the reults of rifke and cartridge of 6.5mm and 7mm I think are great.

Handload and add a scope and the groups would probably be very great.

I must add a comment about the 7.65mm Argentine cartridge also.With my 1909 Mauser it is accurate,I have only used PP ammo which is so so ammo and the groups were still inspiring...at least to me.
 
Used to like the 7 X 57...until I heard that the 6.5 X 55 is one of the favorite cartridges in European long range competition, competing against the .30 cals. Got one, found it to be a real tack driver, and haven't looked back. It's now my favorite deer rifle, leaving my faithful old .30-06 languishing in the gun safe.;)
 
Some one sould should send this post to Savage or Remington. Savage has the big barrel 110 FP rifles and one light weight 110 action that would be nice in 6.5X57.

I shot my first 6.5 at Bisley on the Little Siberia course. I was smitten by the rifle and performance of the 6.5mm and I was priveileged to be able to run some legs on the McQueens course. This is the most fun and challenging shoot you can imagin. And the people are good at this.

Cheers
MJ

MJ
 
I bet most of the guys posting here are older like me. I'm 50 and my first deer rifle was a 7x57 built on a G 33/40 action with a PO Ackley barrel built by my grandfather. I have killed most of my deer with that gun.

The problem with the rounds listed is that they don't go 3000 fps and so are useless as far as new shooters are concerned. Gun makers follow trends same as car companies.

I have two Remington model 7s that duplicate my Mauser. I have the 18.5 and 20" barreled guns with open sights. Love 'em both.

I also have an 8x57 also built by grandad. I sure miss that old fart. I wish he were still here . I bet we'd go shoot ever day. He was more gun nutty than i am.

I always wanted a 6.5x55 Swede. I just don't want the expense of loading for a new cartridge. A 257 Roberts might do it though.
 
Ah, nevermind. 6.8 SPC will be hailed as the new sliced bread; when it becomes the standard NATO round, not before. 6x45 has already been floated and sunk. 40 S&W is not as good at the job as .45ACP and 9mm Parabellum has them both on the ropes because NATO politics decides the close ones.
 
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My old Swede got stolen years ago (That's another story...they took the WHOLE SAFE). Where's a great place to get a Swedish Mauser these days? We're all dried up in my area.
Click to expand...

Go on line and check with Allans Armory
 
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