6.5 Carcano question

[layusn1]

So I'm watching this JFK assassination show on discovery and they keep showing the bullet from the assassination. I keep looking at it thinking hmm...that is a seriously long bullet with tons of bearing surface. Then a guy shot 3 rounds from the exact same lot that was used in the assassination and a file that was an exact match to Oswald's and the grouping was really good. What I am wondering...given the long bullet and bearing surface is this a fairly "inherently" accurate round and would it be worth making space in my collection for one for fun range time? Thanks.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

All early smokeless powder rifles were designed to shoot long, heavy round-nose bullets. That includes the US .30-03, which was rapidly re-designed when our Ordnance people got hold of some of the new, light, high velocity German 8mm ammo. Therefore most early smokeless military rifles tend to have a fast twist -- which is good for long, heavy bullets and doesn't detract from their ability to shoot shorter, lighter bullets.

The Carcano's kind of an odd duck -- the Italians never really concentrated on their rifles like many other nations did, so both rifle and cartridge are generally a bit inferior to say Mausers, or Enfields. On the other hand, the 6.5 is pre-war, so rifles in that caliber wouldn't be hurry-up wartime production.

 

[CMcDermott]

The military 6.5 cartridges, whether Italian, Swedish or Japanese, used 160 grain bullets which are very heavy for the caliber, and therefor long in length. Modern cartridges for hunting in these calibers are usually loaded with 120 and 140 grain bullets instead of the heavy 160 grain bullets.

 

[TEDDY]

also the carcano rifle has gain twist rifling,slow at chamber fast at muzzle.
actualy a lot of countries went with 6.5 cal we made a 6mm used by navy.you
have to have the clips to go with it.sarco has them and others.------------

 

[Ol` Joe]

The Carcano also takes a .268" bullet instead of the normal .264" the Swede, Ariska, and other 6.5mm cartridges use. The use of std diameter bullets may result in poor accuracy. Hornady is the only company I`m aware of in the states makeing a bullet to fit.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The military 6.5 cartridges, whether Italian, Swedish or Japanese, used 160 grain bullets which are very heavy for the caliber, and therefor long in length. Modern cartridges for hunting in these calibers are usually loaded with 120 and 140 grain bullets instead of the heavy 160 grain bullets.

If you are using a military rifle, it will be chambered with a very long throat to accomodate those longer, heavier bullets. If your barrel will not shoot well, you might consider the longer, full-weight bullets, since they fill that throat and sit closer to the lede.

 

[layusn1]

looks like these posts and others demonstrate no need to put the rifle on my wish list right now given the number that are already on it...lol.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I always say, "Because I want it" is a valid reason to buy a new gun.

But I can walk past a rack of Mannlicher-Carcanos and my heartbeat rate will not go up.

 

[layusn1]

Yeah, Its the M1 Garand bug right now and then several other milsurps.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You get one M1 Garand and you want another one. It's a progressive disease.

 

[layusn1]

The wallet is a quick cure for that problem...lol. That and I REALLY want a Dragunov SVD too. Thats like $1.400-ish total...