6.5x52 Carcano

[dave_303]

Range time etc... has been a limit on me and I've finally used up the 100 or so rounds of 6.5x52 Carcano I had made by Prvi in my 1891 Long Rifle.

To be frank, it shoots terribly with it and now that I have the brass I'm looking to start handloading for it, any advice from the Carcano owners here? Specifically regarding projectiles used, I know there are issues regarding bullet diameter, and as I have found with mine, issues with feeding with a lighter projectile.
I'm looking to use H4895 as its a powder that can be used in all my fullbore rifles according to published data.

[Sandgroper]

The first thing is to slug the barrel - big variations possible. Mine is tight and shoots 6.5mm bullets (especially 120gn) really well but yours could be closer to 6.8mm which won't help with the factory ammo.

I haven't been impressed with the Prvi ammo - approx 250fps ES when I chronographed it last. Just be aware that US data especially Hodgdon is quite anaemic as they have an unfounded fear of average pressures in Carcanos.

Anyway slug the barrel and see what that says...

[lasbrisas]

The first thing is to slug the barrel - big variations possible. Mine is tight and shoots 6.5mm bullets (especially 120gn) really well but yours could be closer to 6.8mm which won't help with the factory ammo.

I haven't been impressed with the Prvi ammo - approx 250fps ES when I chronographed it last. Just be aware that US data especially Hodgdon is quite anaemic as they have an unfounded fear of average pressures in Carcanos.

Anyway slug the barrel and see what that says...

I agree with the advice about slugging the barrel, I did his with mine as I have the odd ball 7.35mm Carcano and had to have lead gas checked bullets made to size .302, I even managed to get the proper brass from the US, I'm using 26.5 grains of N140 which is quite light but didn't want to risk more and it's fine for 100yds.

[ukrifleman]

The M91 Carcano's gain twist rifling is not the easiest to load for.

The original 6.5x52 military round had a 162gn round nose, bore riding bullet (see drawing)

FMJ spitzer bullets do not work in this rifle (I know!)

I was lucky enough to drop onto some pre war Italian military ball which worked well.

Once it was gone, I started to work up a load and it was a long and hard road.

The photo of cartridges shows L-R a PPU .264 139gn FMJ (usless) a .265 swaged down FMJ spitzer (even more useless) and 2 Lee `cruise missiles` the original 170gn and the most successful, the cut down 150gn cruise missile.

I load the 150gn bullet as cast at .2695 and fix the gas check with Lok-Tite and it will produce a 3" group at 100m with 11.0gn GM3 if I do my part. The m/v is around 1500fps and I lube the bullet with Alox.

The other photo shows the cut down C/M mould alongside the original 170gn version.

Disclaimer

This load works well in my rifle, use it at your own risk.

ukrifleman.

[Alpha1]

Cast boolits can make a big difference in these old rifles. If you decide to go down the cast route you might do well to check out NOE cast bullets web site for a mould.

[Sandgroper]

Cast didn't work for me or my Carcano but standard 6.5mm jacketed bullets did. However every rifle is different, so what works for one might not work for another.

[lasbrisas]

The M91 Carcano's gain twist rifling is not the easiest to load for.

The original 6.5x52 military round had a 162gn round nose, bore riding bullet (see drawing)

FMJ spitzer bullets do not work in this rifle (I know!)

I was lucky enough to drop onto some pre war Italian military ball which worked well.

Once it was gone, I started to work up a load and it was a long and hard road.

The photo of cartridges shows L-R a PPU .264 139gn FMJ (usless) a .265 swaged down FMJ spitzer (even more useless) and 2 Lee `cruise missiles` the original 170gn and the most successful, the cut down 150gn cruise missile.

I load the 150gn bullet as cast at .2695 and fix the gas check with Lok-Tite and it will produce a 3" group at 100m with 11.0gn GM3 if I do my part. The m/v is around 1500fps and I lube the bullet with Alox.

The other photo shows the cut down C/M mould alongside the original 170gn version.

Disclaimer

This load works well in my rifle, use it at your own risk.

ukrifleman.

Your cruise missiles look like my 7.35mm boolits, just out of interest what was the problem with the FMJ one's you tried ?

[ukrifleman]

Basically, all the spitzer bullets were flyers, the only FMJ bullets that worked were the Italian military ball.

ukrifleman.

[dave_303]

I know its said that every rifle is different, however, I've noticed as seen here and on some US forums, there is a great deal of variance between each Carcano and what each one likes, ie. My rifle and two others I know of wont feed the 139 gr bullets from the magazines, but place in a 160 gr projectile and it's fine, whilst others have no issues regardless.
Thanks for the info everyone, will get the bore slugged and try to figure out what is usable from there.

[dromia]

I find a fat 6.5 Loverin style cast bullet to be a good starting point for any Carcano, the loverin is a freebore filling design That works well if you can get one to freebore diameter for your rifle.