Reloading for Carcano 6.5 - reloading tips or eperience nuggets?

[Blair]

Red Baron - Thank you so much!

[Red_barron1976]

Blair, Awesome. You will like the 30-06 loads too!

[Blair]

Red Barron - 24.5 grain with 150 fmj-bt gave me a touching cloverleaf at 50yrds in 30-06 in my 03A3.... Virtually no recoil but, with a nice report - it was so much fun. I think I have my new plinking, reduced load powder... I am going to try 7.62x54r tomorrow. I think I am going to cluster around the 24.5 since I will be using .311 - 150gr FMJ. What do you think? And again - thanks!

[Red_barron1976]

Blair, 7.62x54 has similar case capacity to 30-06. It should work the same. I have had the best luck with the 174 gr RN hornady bullets in that cartridge. I am glad you found your powder.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Are you guys using imr or h 4198?


JTD

[Red_barron1976]

I am using H4198 but know people that use IMR4198 for the same loads.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Thanks. This has been a great thread. Tons of good info. I’ve been lurking and following this closely.


JTD

[Blair]

Indeed H4198 - a very fresh date, just got it. I will let you know how the 54r with .311 150's print tomorrow. I loaded this group of 4 - 23.1, 23.6, 24.1, 24.6, 25.1, and 25.6... It will be in there somewhere.... I just hope for cloverleaf. I cannot decide if I want to go with a better M-39 or 91/30. I definitely will go with the M44 and the T-53 after I narrow the load in the long barreled Mosins… I will pose this caveat - my best Mosin has a good peep sight - it is not the razor blade front sight of the 03a3 I will choose different target pattern/color to try and compensate....

[Red_barron1976]

Blair, thanks for the tip. I am looking for a full M91 rifle if I can find one. Hard to hold a carbine steady off hand.

[Blair]

Red Barron - I did not get to test the 54r ammo today. I did find the load in 8mm Mauser. In a Vz 24/47 with an excellent bore I produced a 3/4 inch group (50yds) using 24.3gr and 150gr FMJ-hp projectiles in brass formed from 30-06 RP. In load ranges within a 1.2 of the load it still produced 1 to 1.25 inch groups at 50yds. It performed better than my favorite reduced load of 4895 in this rifle. Honestly, I believe it may also be a touch cleaner burning on the low end. I have not experienced any issues on sealing up either. The 7.62x54r is usually where I experience this problem the most with reduced loads.