6.5x257 question...

[Tundra Tiger]

I saw a gun for sale. It clearly started out life as a 6.5 Carcano (I have one, sporterized). The metal has all been redone and looks really good, and a nice stock attached. It is stamped 257 on the action.

I have read a fair amount of 6.5 Japs were converted to 6.5x257. I have not been able to unearth anything about such conversions with a Carcano.

I load for all my guns, so tracking down components and tools doesn't scare me. But mine are all mostly standard stuff - I've never pursued anything this oddball.

Does anyone on here have experience with a 6.5x257 Carcano? Does anyone have relevant experience that could tell me how much of a pain in the arse this could be, or, once tools are acquired, would it be fairly straightforward - like, what brass to start with? How easy to convert? I am intrigued with this gun, for no actual reason I can identify.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I saw a gun for sale. It clearly started out life as a 6.5 Carcano (I have one, sporterized). The metal has all been redone and looks really good, and a nice stock attached. It is stamped 257 on the action.

I have read a fair amount of 6.5 Japs were converted to 6.5x257. I have not been able to unearth anything about such conversions with a Carcano.

I load for all my guns, so tracking down components and tools doesn't scare me. But mine are all mostly standard stuff - I've never pursued anything this oddball.

Does anyone on here have experience with a 6.5x257 Carcano? Does anyone have relevant experience that could tell me how much of a pain in the arse this could be, or, once tools are acquired, would it be fairly straightforward - like, what brass to start with? How easy to convert? I am intrigued with this gun, for no actual reason I can identify.

Thanks in advance.

@Tundra Tiger
Before you start anything you would need to slug the bore. Carcano was a .268 bore with a gain twist barrel so .264 aren't a real good fit.
The 257 case is 57mm long and the Carcano is 52mm so I would expect feeding issues with longer bullets.
The only real way to check is to do a chamber cast to determine the actual case.
If I was you I would just leave it for sale it we old be more trouble than its worth.
Bob

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Thanks for chiming in Bob. I appreciate it. That decision was wrested from me: someone else bought it. Sooo.... moot issue... I will never know.

 

[Nevada Mike]

As they say iin the auto industry.. "There's an ass for every seat."

 

[Woodcarver]

Sounds similar to the 256 Gibbs Magnum I have. Cases fireformed from 257 Roberts brass. Uses .264 bullets. Have no idea why Gibbs named it the 256 Magnum, but, there it is. Get 257 Roberts velocities with an extra 20gr of bullet.
At one time it was factory loaded. I have 4 cases that were berdan primed. The only reloading data I have is on the one box of reloads from my Dad.
My rifle is a custom with a MS action in a beautiful birds eye maple stock. Dad picked it up from a gun shop in England in 1955 for a pittance as the guy it was made for had backed out. So it has unknown initials on the trigger guard, lol. Only gripe is the magazine didn't get totally revamped, so it occasionally has a minor feed issue.

 

[Nevada Mike]

The .257 Roberts was built on the 7 X 57 cartridge. Neck it to 6.5mm and you've re-invented the 6.5 X 57. Go figure.

 

[V42]

The .257 Roberts was built on the 7 X 57 cartridge. Neck it to 6.5mm and you've re-invented the 6.5 X 57. Go figure.

Ballistically, yes. They are different cartridges though. The 6.5x57 has a different shoulder location than the 7x57 so the 6.5x257 Roberts is not physically interchangeable with the 6.5x57. It is a common misperception that they are.

 

[shark_za]

Almost like an Ackley Improved 6.5x57.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Sounds similar to the 256 Gibbs Magnum I have. Cases fireformed from 257 Roberts brass. Uses .264 bullets. Have no idea why Gibbs named it the 256 Magnum, but, there it is. Get 257 Roberts velocities with an extra 20gr of bullet.
At one time it was factory loaded. I have 4 cases that were berdan primed. The only reloading data I have is on the one box of reloads from my Dad.
My rifle is a custom with a MS action in a beautiful birds eye maple stock. Dad picked it up from a gun shop in England in 1955 for a pittance as the guy it was made for had backed out. So it has unknown initials on the trigger guard, lol. Only gripe is the magazine didn't get totally revamped, so it occasionally has a minor feed issue.

Karamojo Bell used a 256 Gibbs extensively as his meat and skin rifle. He shot it more than his 7mm by far. Elephant was the only game worthy of the 7mm.