6.5 carcano

[markp]

I would like to use this cartridge on close range deer. within 50 yards. what inexpensive military rifle or model would be my best bet. it would of course need to shoot realitivly close to point of aim up to 50 yards. i believe the sights on most are only
adjustable for elevation. i imagne old military rifes are a crap shoot. as to accuracy and function?

[kevthebassman]

I believe that's what old Lee Harvey Oswald used to off Jack Kennedy.  Was able to hit him in the noggin at 80-something yards, or so they say.

I honestly don't know enough about the caliber or any rifles that it's chambered in to say anything about it either way.  I do know that there is a fairly good selection of bullets in 6.5mm, if you're a reloader.

[Oldtimer]

The Carcano is like most military rifles, in that it is sighted for about 250-300 yards, so that holding center of mass will create a casualty.  This means that it will liikely shoot 8-10 inches high at 100 yards.  It is possible to build up the front sight, put on a taller one, or regulate the load so that it hits to point of aim at 100 yards.  The original sighting was for a 156 grain round-nosed bullet that was .268 in diameter.  Note that most 6.5mm bullets are .264.  At least one manufacturer makes a .268, which would bring out the accuracy potential.  Loading a 100 grain or a 129 grain bullet will make it hit  lower on target and get you closer to point of aim without having to alter the rifle.
The only time that the rifle would be a lost cause is if it is an early model that used gain twist rifling and was converted into a carbine by just shortening the barrel.  In that case you need two nails to bring out the gun's potential.  Hammer them above the fireplace and hang it above the mantelpiece. 
Each gun is a law to itself.  There are people who will tell you that a Carcano is a useless piece of junk, but it is what the Italian army used at a time when the U.S Army was armed with 1873 Springfields shooting a .45-70 loaded with black powder.  Practice with the gun and it should do you well for what you want to do, without beating you up.  If you do get a carbine, be sure to check the rifling, make sure the crown of the barrel is not buggered up, and that all the screws are properly tight.  Good luck.

[Castaway]

Oldtimer, if not mistaken, the Spanish used a Mauser in 7x57 in the '98 conflict, not a Carcano.

[Oldtimer]

Castaway, you are entirely correct in regard to the Spanish-American War.  The Spanish were using 1893 Mausers, the same rifles that the Boers used to good effect against the British with their Martini's.  I was referring specifically to the year 1891.  The adoption of the Krag was a year in the future for the US, and the Springfield was still being used by some National Guard units until WWI.  In Italy, some of the reserve units used the Vetterli, a tubular magazine bolt action that fired a black powder cartridge.  The point is that the Carcano was a moderately advanced weapon for its day, but that day did not last long, as arms development was probably at its most active in the next twelve years. 

[Mikey]

The Carcano is an interesting rifle.  The action is much stronger than most think.  It was chambered in 3 calibers:  the 6.5x52 Italian, the 7.35 Terni (probably about 53mm long) and the 8mm Mauser.  The problem was accuracy - a number of carbines were made, as the Oldtimer provided, just by shortening the barrel, which negated the effects of the gain twist those rifles used. 

I had two very accurate rifles in 6.5 Italian and have fired a number of other accurate M38s as I think they are also referred to. 

The caliber is quite effective, being just a bit on the slow side of the 6.5x55 Mauser but it is an eye opener to see how that slow moving 160 gn 6.5mm slug would penetrate on through out to 200 m. 

If you get an accurate shooting rifle the only limitation you face is how far you can accurately place the bullet.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[wsjones]

markp et al:  Perfect timing for an educate-me-about-6.5-Carcano post.

I've had an M38 in 7.35 hanging around forever that I've not shot in decades and this past weekend picked up 2 additional Carcano's from the family deer camp.  One's another 7.35, lightly sporterized, that I remember my uncle buying for my grandfather back in 1965 or thereabouts and which I recall shooting back in the mid or late 70's.

The other's a 6.5 carbine of some sort or other that I have no idea from whence it came.  It's been hanging around in the camp gathering dust and ladybugs for at least 20 years, maybe longer.  It's missing the bayonet and sling swivels and the front barrel band is broken.  The sling swivel inlets appear to have been filled with wood putty.  Best of all, the metal work's been painted with a gloss black enamel that appears to have been applied with a brush and the wood coated with a redish-orange shellac.

Pretty it's not, but the trigger pull is quite crisp and the action is very much smoother than either of the 7.35's.  I can't discern a lot of markings due to the paint finish but the receiver looks to be hexagonal and is marked "1937 XV" and "Beretta Gardone."

I figure to just buy a can of good stripper and get as much of everything off as possible and see what's what for markings, etc.  If I can find a front barrel band and some sling swivels for not too much $$ I may try to make it look somewhat original.  Either way I'd like to get it up to shooting order, if only because ammo and brass are still available.

Any thoughts, suggestions?  Thanks.  -WSJones

[WILDCATT]

the cartridge is like the mannlicher.the m38 is the 7.35 rebarreled to 6.5.nothing bad about the gun only the american habit of po poing any other countrys guns.like the 25 jap junk which however was very effective in killing americans.I like the mannlicher clip, very quick to load like the M1.I have had almost every countrys rifle and liked them all.even the Bertier in 8 mm lebel.

[Mikey]

WSjones:  If yours is marked 1937 and Beretta Gardone, you may possibly have a pre-war carbine - although the Italians were well into war-time preparations by that time.  This means the thing shoot right. It also means it was made by Beretta.  Since it has been hanging around a hunting camp I would guess it had better shoot right.

I would strip it down, action, barrel and stock and try to find another barrel band from one of the major distributors.  I do not believe those rifles or carbines sporterize well, re stocks or triggers.  There has to be scope mounts available from somewhere. 

I recall they have the same type of sight set-up as the Mausers - inverted 'V' front post with a 'V' rear sight.  It would be a hoot to see if any of the Mauser front sight blades fit the Carcano as you could install a nice square front sight blade from a Swedish Mauser and open up the rear sight to give you a nice sight picture.  Mikey.

[GatCat]

Frank DeHass in his book "Bolt Action Rifles"  mentions sporterizing the Carcano for Deer hunting, said folks liked them just fine. If you do not already have a rifle, I would look for one already sporterized. Hopefully whoever did it, did it to one with a good bore. With better rear sights, or maybe a side-mounted scope, it should cost very little, and would be a fun little rifle/carbine to play with. I bet it would not take too much searching at gun shows or bigger pawn shops to find one, as the generation that did alot of the sporterizing is unfortunately passing on. If you live in a state/city that allows it, maybe run an ad in the local "little nickle" type of shopper.
Mark

[greg916]

It was chambered in 3 calibers:  the 6.5x52 Italian, the 7.35 Terni (probably about 53mm long) and the 8mm Mauser. 

I think it was also chambered for the 6.5x50Jap

[torpedoman]

I'v got one that the best thing that can be said for it is that it shoots <badly bubbaded> if someone needs one for parts let me know.

[MnMike]

Mine is a pretty good shooter. I am using Privi Partizen brass and .268 bullets from buffalo bore.
I am kind of a cheap collector. I like anything that is different. The Carcano qualifies because of the gain twist rifling.

mike