Mannlicher-Schoenauer, history, models, performance, features, storys

[HWL]

This should be the place for the friends of the Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle.

Whenever you have information, pictures or storys about "The Gentleman's Rifle", or you are just interested in, you are welcome here.

My last purchase, I bought heavily used and restored it.

Before and after....

HWL

 

[7x57Joe]

I like everything about the "The Gentleman's Rifle" with the possible exception of factory stocks being somewhat too long for me to operate the bolt with stock to shoulder. I did buy a Stutzen that had the stock shortened and a recoil pad added that fit me better.

 

[John Telford]

HWL- there are a surprisingly many MS rifles still in shootable condition in South Africa. I believe everyone should have owned a 6.5 x54 at some point of their lives. My current project is getting a milder load for my 9.5x 57. Above: 260 gn Nosler, 270 Woodleigh and local 220gn Impala solid brass which I’m hoping to use as my rifle is so light it kicks lick a mule!

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

View attachment 349740
My current project is getting a milder load for my 9.5x 57. Above: 260 gn Nosler, 270 Woodleigh and local 220gn Impala solid brass which I’m hoping to use as my rifle is so light it kicks lick a mule!

Please keep us posted on your progress with loads for your 9.5X57 (.375 Nitro Express Rimless 2.25").
I am interested not only in the performance, but seating depth of 'non stock' projectiles for smooth delivery via the Schoenauer magazine. I have been looking for a good, certifiable lead free, hunting load (wild boar) as lead is no longer allowed where I live.

I had previously loaded them like this, with 270 grain round nosed projectiles, for effortless feeding:

Mannlicher Schoenauer ballistics with commercial loads from 1939 Stoeger (U.S.) catalog:

From Westley Richards ca. 1912:

WR 1936-37:

 

[HWL]

HWL- there are a surprisingly many MS rifles still in shootable condition in South Africa. I believe everyone should have owned a 6.5 x54 at some point of their lives.

When ever I come to Limpopo, my 6,5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer is my companion.

Gert Odendaal, well know member of AH, also is a dedicated Schoenauer enthusiast in RSA.

He rules the bushvelt with his .458

Picture of your M1910 would be great.


HWL

 

[John Telford]

I know Gert - we have exchanged info on this and other forums. I’m also in contact with Sarel Esterhuisen who has the best MS collection in SA. He wrote the article in Magum in 2017 about using 303 shells to form 8x56ms shells.

 

[John Telford]

The 220 fits like it was made for this rifle! Will commence testing post lockdown. I use Qualicart brass which needed to be fire formed due to excessive headspace issues. Sarel helped me get that sorted.

 

[HWL]

I know Gert - we have exchanged info on this and other forums. I’m also in contact with Sarel Esterhuisen who has the best MS collection in SA. He wrote the article in Magum in 2017 about using 303 shells to form 8x56ms shells.

I hunted with Gert an he is a great guy.

I tried to have contact with Sarel, but he did not answer.

I make my 8x56 MS from 8x57IS, with is easily available here.

My 9x56 MS are made from 7x64 Brenneke and my 9,5x57 MS are made from 9,3x62.

6,5x54MS are available in every gun store here.

...would like to see your 9,5!

HWL

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

The 220 fits like it was made for this rifle! Will commence testing post lockdown. I use Qualicart brass which needed to be fire formed due to excessive headspace issues. Sarel helped me get that sorted.

I make my 8x56 MS from 8x57IS, with is easily available here.

My 9x56 MS are made from 7x64 Brenneke and my 9,5x57 MS are made from 9,3x62.

6,5x54MS are available in every gun store here.

...would like to see your 9,5!

HWL

Mr. Telford; That does look like a nice fit! I presume they cycle well through the Schoenauer magazine? Have you tried the round nosed Impala .375 in your M1910? The headspace issue was with the rifle?

I have previously loaded 9.5X57 with fresh .35 Whelen brass that I had reformed with an RCBS two die set (easily, with a single pass) and trimmed to proper length. Those feed flawlessly but I'd wanted at least some rounds with a proper '9.5X57' headstamp.

I have since acquired some Qual Cart that I have yet to load and some loads reformed by others from .30-'06 and from 9.3X57. The ones from 9.3X57 Norma were loaded by Reed's Ammunition & Research of Oklahoma after he had drawn the fresh brass straight, then formed and trimmed. https://shop.reedsammo.com/95x57-MS-270g-RNSP-95x57270RNSP.htm

1) Reeds Ammo, 2) One of my old handloads from .35 Whelen unfired, 3) Original (1926) DWM531, 4) My handload (from .35 Whelen) once fired.

I have a good supply of .375 270 grain RN, per original specifications, but am now interested in building some good legal 'pig loads' as hunting most critters with lead is now prohibited in my area.

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

This should be the place for the friends of the Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle.

Whenever you have information, pictures or storys about "The Gentleman's Rifle", or you are just interested in, you are welcome here.

HWL

Information, pictures, stories: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/mannlicher-schönauer-prewar-m1900-m1903-m1905-m1908-m1910-m1924-m1925-or-high-velocity.47277/

From the 1939 Stoeger (US) Catalog:

 

[HWL]

The rifle from #1, with also restored old Zeiss 2,5-10x52 Diavari A4 an claw mount.

...now

a hot candidate for the "3-Rifle Mannlicher-Schoenauer Africa battery".

Between ist comrades...

HWL

 

[7x57Joe]

Looks like it is ready for a hunting trip. I don't believe I've ever seen another M-S with a spur on the trigger guard like the bottom one in pic. Looks to have been rebarreled also?

 

[MS 9x56]

The magnificent journey is exciting but sometimes exaspirating sorting through the issues while holding onto or being true to the magic that is the original design requires some compromises. When I finally got my chamber sizing issues sorted out I loaded up with 250 grain round nose Hornady bullets. A previous owner with short arms cut the Stock down to 13.25 so I put a slip over limbsaver recoil Pad on it to deal with the prodigious recoil. Tames it down nicely but I was worried about it discoloring the stock. Since it was already cut down I had a pachmeyer pad out on it. Then I decided to try 200 grain Sierra bullets seated to fit.It Liked those bullets much better shrinking groups to 2" at 1 00. That's about the best my old eyes can do with open sights.

 

[HWL]

Looks like it is ready for a hunting trip. I don't believe I've ever seen another M-S with a spur on the trigger guard like the bottom one in pic. Looks to have been rebarreled also?

You are right....

When I bought this rifle, the barrel inside was completely gone.

This was the reason, because it was cheap.

I rebarreled it, new scope, and the spur (new word for me) on the trigger guard.

Barrel and scope, a Leupold 6,5-20x40, are in no way "traditional", but I like it, and the long barrel pushes the 6,5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer to it's limits.

With the 25" barrel, penetration capabilities of the old DWM 10,3 g/156 gr Full Metal Jacket Round Nose are impressiv.

....and the 160 gr Hornady Soft Point Round Nose does the rest of the work.

HWL

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

I rebarreled it, new scope, and the spur (new word for me) on the trigger guard.

 

[HWL]

We call it a "Fingerhaken",...finger hook.

I like it, because it offers a tight grip to the rifle and prevents the middle finger form beening injured under heavy recoil.

Recoil is not a problem with this 6,5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, but I like it nontheless.


HWL

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

We call it a "Fingerhaken",...finger hook.

 

[John Telford]

Mr. Telford; That does look like a nice fit! I presume they cycle well through the Schoenauer magazine? Have you tried the round nosed Impala .375 in your M1910? The headspace issue was with the rifle?

I have previously loaded 9.5X57 with fresh .35 Whelen brass that I had reformed with an RCBS two die set (easily, with a single pass) and trimmed to proper length. Those feed flawlessly but I'd wanted at least some rounds with a proper '9.5X57' headstamp.

I have since acquired some Qual Cart that I have yet to load and some loads reformed by others from .30-'06 and from 9.3X57. The ones from 9.3X57 Norma were loaded by Reed's Ammunition & Research of Oklahoma after he had drawn the fresh brass straight, then formed and trimmed. https://shop.reedsammo.com/95x57-MS-270g-RNSP-95x57270RNSP.htm

1) Reeds Ammo, 2) One of my old handloads from .35 Whelen unfired, 3) Original (1926) DWM531, 4) My handload (from .35 Whelen) once fired.

I have a good supply of .375 270 grain RN, per original specifications, but am now interested in building some good legal 'pig loads' as hunting most critters with lead is now prohibited in my area.

I had to grind and polish the mag a fraction to get the magazine to rotate the loaded cartridges . So far I got just over 2000 FPS using 49g S335. I will load up to 2300 fps which I calculate as 51g . Can’t remember if I used magnum or large rifle primer!

 

[HWL]

I use magnum primers CCI 250 exclusively for all my 9,5x57 M-S loads.

HWL

 

[HWL]

Just won an auction....

Mannlicher-Schoenauer 8x68S GK, safe queen,...unmounted, never made a shot, like factory new.

HWL