6.5x58

[Eaglelord17]

Hi all,

Thought I would show you the ammo I just finished making up for my 6.5x58 M1904 Mauser-Vergueiro.

Making the 6.5x58 has been a massive pain for me, but I am pretty excited to test it out. I had to resize the brass from 8mm Mauser (necks down beautifully, to basically the exact neck length you need, I had a difficult time adjusting it to the proper point but once it was set up it went great) with a expensive set of CH4D 6.5x58 dies (though they are extremely well made dies).

From there I was having some issues with getting the bullets to stay where they needed to be (either from the necks being a bit too loose from the sizing down or the bullets were slightly undersized, either way they wouldn't stay where they needed to be). So I had to order a 6.5x55 crimp die set to crimp in the necks a bit so they would hold the bullets. From there it was standard reloading until I was finally seating the bullets, which I had to do in groups of 5 then crimp the necks to hold the bullets in place (99% sure it was the bullets, they appear to be Swedish surplus 156grn bullets, and they have a slight taper on the case, however they are really close to the original profile of 6.5x58).

With this all done, I am now ready to test it out at the range. I am also having to develop my own load data, as there is next to none in existence (looked at similar cartridges at similar weights and velocities and adjusted accordingly starting low and moving higher).

Overall I am pretty excited, this whole process being 3 months in the works. I also haven't been shooting for about the same length of time so that is also something exciting. Here is some photos for your viewing pleasure (also likely the most 6.5x58 that has ever been photographed in one location, a full 50rds). Here is a older photo I took of the rifle that will be shooting them.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Others will have more details, but there are 6.5's and 6.5's.

Some are "standard" .264" bullet size, some, like the Italian 6.5 x 52 Carcano run to .268". If you are having "loosness" issues, it may be that the 4 thou difference is significant in neck tension.

No idea what bullet diameter a 6.5 x 58 comes in at. If you have some "factory" ammo there, whip out the old dial or Vernier calipers and find out.

When you pulled the cases down to size in the die, did you do an internal neck-ream? If so, to what diameter?

[Eaglelord17]

Well I gave the bullets a check and they mic in at about .263-.2635 thou (using a micrometer). That is likely my problem as the neck expander is a standard .264 dia. When I put the bullets in the muzzle of the rifle to check the rifling they went up until the largest point on the bullets so I suspect they will shoot just fine. Its ok though I got a good deal on the bullets (.25 cents a bullet) so the little bit extra I had to pay for a crimp die isn't much of a problem (plus I have the crimp die if I want to use it on something else).

I didn't do a internal neck ream, just whatever it ended sized to from the necking down.

Unfortunately 6.5x58 is a very rare cartridge, hasn't really be produced since the 40s and even then it wasn't made much (only rifle ever chambered in it was the M1904, and most of those were converted to 8mm Mauser, leaving <20,000 in the original chambering). Finding a original round is like finding hens teeth, even getting information on the case was difficult (found a decent source of information in Spanish though).

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Roundabouts and swings: necking down 8mm cases probably leaves you with a reasonably thick neck section.

If you are worried about the actions of the expander ball, either see if there is one a few thou smaller available from any of the die makers or specialist reloading supplies houses, like Sinclair. See also suppliers to the "Bench Rest" shooters.

Someone may even make a Carbide one; Lyman?

Annealing after first forming?

Keep us posted!

[Eaglelord17]

I have never done annealing, though I suspect it might have helped out. I likely will be going shooting on Sunday and we will see the results then.

[CINDERS]

Found this for you as a guide only but as usual start 5 ~ 10% under & work up, have fun developing the loads
For others wanting to have a look heres the link address for other cartridges there is a few there. https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...6vBjm5SR8d1E2g

What I notice is your crimp is not right at the end of the neck causing a flairing of the neck this may cause it to get caught feeding into the chamber I suggest you adjust the crimper to the end of the neck you can see how my crimp on the 303 rounds is right at the end of the neck it is that slightly different coloured ring mark

[Eaglelord17]

Unfortunately I don't believe I am able to adjust the height of the crimp as it uses the shell holder to actuate the crimping. A possible solution would be to machine up a larger shell plate or maybe a small insert to make it longer however I don't have the facilities for that at the moment. I am just going to hope it works at this point (and if not correct/make it work as I go)

The powder I am using is 3031, which is a suitable powder for this type of loading (my favourite for all sorts of milsurps from my Swiss 1889 to my 8mm Lebel), and I am not trying for too much velocity, aiming for roughly 2300-2400ft/sec (like the original loading). The case capacity of the 6.5x58 is 90% of 8mm Mausers case capacity and the loads in my book for 150 grn bullet in 8mm start at 49grns of 3031. 90% of 49 is 44grns, and I am starting at 40grns so it should be fairly safe (plus these actions were later on successfully converted to 8mm with no issues, so they are a strong enough action). I'll be sure to post the results.

[green]

DWM 1904 catalogue gives 6.5x58 bullet dia as 6.7mm (.2637") and DWM bullet number 210 same as 6.5x54r. Bt dia same as 6.5x55.

[Eaglelord17]

Excellent these bullets should do well then. I'll post the results tomorrow.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Nothing like a good resurrection.