Steyr M-95 8x56R

[lgm270]

These interesting straight pull bolt action  rifles are on sale for $79.00 but are chambered for the almost unobtainable 8x56 R cartridge. It takes a weird bullet that is .329" diameter, not the usual .323" that is associated with 8mm caliber rounds.  I have read that 8x56R can be formed from 7.62x54 Russian Rounds and that cast bullets can be used.    If this action is amenable to the 7.62x54R cartridge,  would it be possible to re-barrel an M-95 for the more widely available 7.62x54 round? 

They are fascinating rifles.  Has anyone on here had any experiences with them?

[Oldtimer]

I have had one for years but have never shot it a whole lot. In terms of power and velocity, it is close to the .35 Remington.  I have a carbine and the recoil is noticeable because of the metal buttplate.  Like most military rifles, it shoots about 16 inches high at 100 yards.  As for re-barreling it, the German Wehrmacht re-barreled them for the 7.9x57 round, and I believe they issued them to second line troops.  Lining the bore to a smaller caliber would seem to me to be the most practical way to re-chamber it, and that would preserve any markings.  I have recently seen M-91/30's for under $60, so you would have to find someone who would work really cheaply, or do the job yourself. Hornady makes ammo for the 8x56 and Lee makes both reloading dies and bullet moulds.

[S.S.]

Graf & Sons have all that you need to load for it.... these carbines have an interesting history
as a great number of them were made in factories basically manned by slaves. These slaves fought the Nazis in
their own way, by messing up the sights. Many of these guns have bent front sights, others have the rear notch cut too shallow
and others too deep. With some tinkering they can be made to shoot to point of aim. Old timer is correct, 150 to 200 fps faster than
.35 Rem is about all you can hope for.

[Mikey]

There was an article recently in one of the Shotgun News about those rifles.  The comments were fairly glowing about the rifle and the cartridge.  I do not recall anything mentioned about re-barreling to another caliber but it is a possibility I suppose.  The shorter length carbine barrels may make for a decent woods gun but the sights are basic and I believe recoil and muzzle blast are somewhat unpleasant.  Mikey.

[Brithunter]

These interesting straight pull bolt action  rifles are on sale for $79.00 but are chambered for the almost unobtainable 8x56 R cartridge. It takes a weird bullet that is .329" diameter, not the usual .323" that is associated with 8mm caliber rounds.  I have read that 8x56R can be formed from 7.62x54 Russian Rounds and that cast bullets can be used.    If this action is amenable to the 7.62x54R cartridge,  would it be possible to re-barrel an M-95 for the more widely available 7.62x54 round? 

They are fascinating rifles.  Has anyone on here had any experiences with them?

     Hmmmmm who fixed in stone that an 8mm buleet or bore HAD to be .323"? Mauser originally used .318" and did not change to the larger .323" until 1905 for their military arms. They also made a target round that used a .321" bullet. Mannlicher was a prolific designer and his intergral clip the "packet loading system" was the reason that Mauser designed the staggered magazine so they didn't have to pay Mannlicher royalties on his design. I wonder if the US government paid for the use of the garand clip which of course is based on Mannlichers design?

   As for 8x56R not be available? in the US Graff's is a source of components and I think it's Hornady who makes a .329" bullet. These cartridges and rifles of course were designed during the transition period from Black poweder to smokless and also the transition in military usage to repeating rifles and if one logically thinks about bullet sizes the British 303 that measures .312" is more logical that the American .308 after all .3125" is 5/16ths whilst .308 is nothing.

    I used to have a Czech issued M95 carbine that started life as a rifle and was issued to the Brno district but I sold it on to a friend who collects Austrain stuff. The lowest sight setting is found with the ladder raised and the slider moved off the bottom to expose a sight notch in the base of the ladder. Often the little nib on the extractor which hold the bolt head locked in the cocked position is worn allowing the bolt head to snap back when the bolt is removed. This can be worked on to correct it, sorry I cannot rememebr exactly how but I found the information on Gunboards forums which has an excellet Steyr forum. I did have another which had been sporterised but that had a very poor bore I am sorry to say.

[Cheesehead]

Dunhams sporting goods store is selling these rifles for 199 bucks. I like these rifles, but not that much

[Steve P]

I have a couple of them.  I purchased a case of Nazi ammo for 3.99 a box many years ago.  There are several sporting goods stores in my are that still have the old ammo available.  Years ago there was a thread on here abour using the Berdan brass and re-boring the primer pocket to accept a shotgun primer.  That way you could reload the Berdan cases.  I never tried that as I ordered 100 boxer primed brass about the same time.  Graf does have brass and bullets.  You can also get bullets by buying mil-surplus ammo and pulling the bullets.   One of my rifles barely stays on an 8.5x11 target at 50.  The other one will shoot cloverleafs, but way high.  I have heard they can be good shooters if loads are worked up for them. 

Steve 

[MnMike]

I just got a rifle from Aim Surplus and have components coming in for reloading. I will give my range results in a week or so for those interested. I think the gun is kind of nice looking in a ugly old rifle kind of way. The stock actually has grain!

mike