Steyr Mannlicher-Schönauer 6.5 x 55 opinions

[Cactus Farmer]

With all the extras you got with the rifle and the origional scope mount with a dandy scope, I think you got your moneys worth.
All i see in the pictures is honest wear from hunting. And no amuturish attempts at refinishing or repair.
Pawel (my Polish friend) might soil his undies for the scope mounts. They are impressive and appear to be rock solid.

 

[samthedog]

With all the extras you got with the rifle and the origional scope mount with a dandy scope, I think you got your moneys worth.
All i see in the pictures is honest wear from hunting. And no amuturish attempts at refinishing or repair.
Pawel (my Polish friend) might soil his undies for the scope mounts. They are impressive and appear to be rock solid.

Haha! Thanks for the input. I don't have buyer's remorse but I am always left wondering when I can't haggle the price down.

The scope mounts and magazine were what I found to be most impressive. The ability to unload the full mag into the hand with the press of a button is really impressive. The rounds feed super smoothly and it is very slick in use. Had I not worked the bolt and experienced it myself I would not have believed that such an old fashioned rifle could function so smoothly and have so many nifty features.

If Pawel is looking for a set of mounts they do come up for sale every now and again for about $300 USD on average. They are usually a little knocked around and missing some bluing but they are solid and fully functional.

I spent some time looking into details for the Pecar Berlin optics. Interestingly, the remaining stock for Pecar Berlin scopes was bought up by a gent in Trondheim in Norway. Pecar went bust as they couldn't compete with the cheaper, aluminium tubed scopes that started coming out. They refused to compromise on using steel tubes and first rate ground glass and as a result went bust (plus the fact they made these scopes by hand didn't reduce the cost either). These scopes fetch $300 - $450 depending on the state of the bluing and the glass, however many owners won't part with them. I don't think I'll be swapping out the scope any time soon as I think it complements the rifle.

Paul.

 

[Cactus Farmer]

I will tell Pawel about the mounts. He might just have to have them after seeing the pics you posted.
The 6.5X33 has a butter knife on it now! He just had to have it. I blueprinted the action and used a special tool to square the bolt face with the action.
We hope for 2600-2700 FPS with 100-120grn bullets. 140s will be somewhat slower but their BC is off the charts. The new super-formance powders might be the ticket for this little beast. I'll try to take some comparison pictures of the 33 and it's big brother compared to say 6.5X55 or 30-06.
Remember a Hornet sends a 45grn slug at the same speed as a 30-06 ,just 1/3 the size. But to look at it, people thing it's a toy. I have two and have plans of converting a 1896 Swede into a Hornet. I did it years ago and still have the patterns for the barrel mods and remember the other tricks. The first one even had a "clip" of sorts. A shortened Savage clip attached to the floorplate. A little tricky to load but butter slick in function. It's really not that hard, just tricky. It's kind of a copy of a Winchester Model 70 which came in 22 Hornet.

 

[HighWall]

I think your rifle is more of a collector's item than a contemporary hunting piece, although I am sure there are others who will disagree. The scope is older technology and may not be as reliable as something more current. The mounts will be difficult and expensive to replace if damaged. Generally, current thought regarding accuracy begins with a free floated barrel which is precluded by the Mannlicher stock. I would personally have recommended something more on the lines of a Savage or Remington action in a lightweight stock, although I do like the 6.5mm chambering. That's just me, though, and I have several rifles I shoot regularly that are quite a bit older than your Mannlicher, but I don't use them for hunting.

 

[samthedog]

I think your rifle is more of a collector's item than a contemporary hunting piece, although I am sure there are others who will disagree. The scope is older technology and may not be as reliable as something more current. The mounts will be difficult and expensive to replace if damaged. Generally, current thought regarding accuracy begins with a free floated barrel which is precluded by the Mannlicher stock. I would personally have recommended something more on the lines of a Savage or Remington action in a lightweight stock, although I do like the 6.5mm chambering. That's just me, though, and I have several rifles I shoot regularly that are quite a bit older than your Mannlicher, but I don't use them for hunting.

All valid points. In Norway these rifles are still very much seen during deer season along with Krag Jorgensens and old Mausers. The chap I bought it from showed me a combi from the 1920's that was his go-to rifle for deer and duck, even though he had a Sauer 202.

I could have certainly bought a Remington 700 for half the price of the Steyr however I just fell in love with the Steyr. These older rifles have character that the modern mass produced rifle don't have. I guess if I was to be range shooting and burning through many rounds I would use something more modern as it is easier to replace when parts wear out and can be relied upon for surgical accuracy. All the rifles I plan on getting for hunting will / are collectors items or classics and the intent was to purchase rifles that have been proven to be reliable over the decades.
I apply the same resoning to my metal and wood working machines and have a stable of vintage machines in the workshop that are as nice to look at as they are to use.

Paul.

 

[Gunsmith]

Samthedog
You have a gem in your hands. You will not get a better brand/caliber/history rifle. These rifles had been made as the most smooth feeding action set up. Your rotary magazine is second to none , the full stock gives the classic look..if you can get this rifle for a good price it makes it even more remarkable. I have the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer also manufactured in 1956, the Mannlicher Schoenauer is an extremely accurate rifle, according to knowledgeable hunters/collectors even the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer is an extremely accurate rifle ...

Here is a link to a Mannlicher Schoenauer forum ....take a look and get all the info you need.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=241081&an=0&page=0#Post241081
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=mannlicher

 

[HighWall]

I admire your focus and agree about the character of older designs. My favorite rifles are all single shots from the 19th century. I used a Winchester Highwall in competition for many years chambered in the .40/65 cartridge. I also like Ballards and have several I used in silhouette and schutzen competition. For hunting, however, I've always liked customized Remington and Savage varmint rifles, although I do have a very nice Sako from the 1950s in .222.

I didn't understand you to be such a directed collector. I understand it is difficult in much of Europe to own more than one firearm (if at all) and if I could only have one, it would probably be a Remington. Good shooting!

 

[Gunsmith]

Good day to you Highwall
You are correct, I should have pointed out that I am from South Africa where we can own up to twelve rifles (dedicated status) and four if a normal licence holder. I do have an affinity for old rifles , especially if they are big bore calibers, since I own a .375 H&H Cogsswell & Harrison( old), 404 Jeffery (1930) and .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer (1956)...I am not a collector by any means, I only like a specific rifle for its specific properties..the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer for its unbelievable smooth action and excellent rotary magazine underscored by its history...if it was possible to ship to South Africa I really would have tried to purchase a similar rifle as in this thread...

 

[samthedog]

Samthedog
You have a gem in your hands. You will not get a better brand/caliber/history rifle. These rifles had been made as the most smooth feeding action set up. Your rotary magazine is second to none , the full stock gives the classic look..if you can get this rifle for a good price it makes it even more remarkable. I have the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer also manufactured in 1956, the Mannlicher Schoenauer is an extremely accurate rifle, according to knowledgeable hunters/collectors even the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer is an extremely accurate rifle ...

Here is a link to a Mannlicher Schoenauer forum ....take a look and get all the info you need.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=241081&an=0&page=0#Post241081
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=mannlicher

Thanks Gunsmith. I joined the forum now and have posted up pictures, mainly looking for info and a source for stock screws as those on the rifle have been damaged by poor workmanship and dodgy screwdrivers. Lots of nice rifles however I have not seen a single 6.5 x 55 with the Mannlicher stock.

Paul.

 

[Gunsmith]

Thanks Gunsmith. I joined the forum now and have posted up pictures, mainly looking for info and a source for stock screws as those on the rifle have been damaged by poor workmanship and dodgy screwdrivers. Lots of nice rifles however I have not seen a single 6.5 x 55 with the Mannlicher stock.

Paul.

Good day Paul

Ask around on the Nitro forum I am sure some Mannlicher Schoenauer owners will be able to assist. May I ask you a favor? If you have the time will you be so kind as to take some photos regarding the scope mounts on your Mannlicher Schoenauer and send it to my e-mail . godendaal@hotmail.com. I really would like to copy the scope mounts for use on my .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer?
Regards

Gert