L-R
Italian military issue SMI 952
Gun Show handload (160gr, FMJ, 27 gr IMR 3031)
My handload, Norma case, Speer 140 gr JSP, 38 gr Triple 7 by weight, Win LR mag primer
My handload, Graf case, .268" Graf 160 gr JSP, 30 gr IMR 3031, Win LR primer
For ages, the only commercial ammo available was the Norma of Sweden, 160 gr with .264" bullets (common diameter for a lot of European 6.5mm cartridges).
Norma case necks are proportional to .264" bullets. I do not recommend loading .268" bullets in Norma cases.
Graf case necks are proportional to .268" bullets. I do not recommend loading .264" bullets in Graf cases.
My Carcano short rifle is a Model 38 made at Terni arsenal in 1940. I get about the same results whether I use .264" bullets or .268" bullets. My opinion, while many Carcanos do better with bullets larger than .264" not all Carcanos need the larger diameter bullets.
Last black powder match target I fired with the Speer .264" 140 gr bullet and Triple 7 BP sub, 38 gr weighed powder charge. Benchrest, 100 yds, 5 shots, 49 of possible 50 points.
The scope is a used no name shotgun scope I bought for $10 at a gun show. It cleaned up nicely. I used a Savage 340 side mount (offset to allow inserting an enblic clip from the top).