Maybe I'm just projecting my own desire onto someone else but if you have some time to play with the Japanese Type 38 in 6.5x50 may be some serious fun. :grin:
Sure, they aren't nearly as powerful as the 6.5x55 in standard loading.
But the Arisaka action was the strongest bolt action rifle action in the world as PO Ackley proved when he failed to blow up a T99 in 7.7 Japanese when the SMLE, Springfield, P14 and M98 had blown.
As such the 6.5x50 should be able to be loaded to significantly higher velocities, probably in the realm of the 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer.
The T38 in 6.5 Jap was also a popular rifle amongst Aussie snipers when they fought the Japanese in New Guinea during WW2.
They used captured rifles and ammo for sniper rifles because they were accurate, low recoiling and had much less muzzle flash that the heavy recoiling, loud and easily detectable(
but equally accurate) No.1 Mk3s and No.5 Mk1 Jungle Carbines.
I believe Graf has brass for them and Norma makes factory ammo and components.
The 6.5x52 Mannlicher Carcano would be a fun round if not for the fact that many of the rifles are complete dogs and that the bore(
while notoriously inconsistant in terms of diameter) is closer to .268", not .264".
Only Hornady make an easily obtainable .268" cal bullet and it's a 160gn RN(
from memory) like the famously anaemic military round.
I realise it's to try and overcome the fact that the rifles tend to be very long throated but it really limits the possibilities.
The real pity is that the design is good....it has gain twist rifling and the mechanism should work but I've heard so many tales of cross-threaded barrels and the furniture pushing so hard up against the barrel that it shoots high after 1 shot that unless a REALLY good rifle can be found it's fairly risky.
Mind you, a guy at my rifle club loads his with .264" 120gn bullets and says it prints well at 200yds.:|
But hey, an easy accurate 6.5 has to be the M96 6.5x55.
Get one of those if you prefer not to muck around with weird stuff.
