Italian military cartridge with mild recoil and good accuracy. Unfairly maligned due to poor ammunition quality in surplus market. Used in infamous JFK assassination rifle.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1891, Italy
Parent case: None
Standardization: Obsolete / Non-standard
Bullet diameter: 0.268" (6.8 mm)
Case length: 2.047" (52 mm)
Overall length: 2.953" (75 mm)
Max pressure: 46,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:8
Muzzle velocity: 2300–2500 fps
Muzzle energy: 1750–2050 ft-lbs
Effective range: 600 yd
Common bullet weights: 139, 156, 162 gr
Primary use: Military
Production status: Obsolete
Also known as: 6.5mm Carcano · 6.5x52mm Italian
History: Adopted by Italy in 1891 for the Carcano rifle. Part of the trend toward smaller-caliber, high-velocity cartridges. Served Italy through both World Wars. Gained infamy when Lee Harvey Oswald used a 6.5 Carcano rifle in the JFK assassination. The cartridge itself was adequate, but deteriorated surplus ammunition gave it a poor reputation.
Notable firearms: Carcano M1891, M1938 Carbine, Breda M1930, Fiat-Revelli M1914
Military use: {"country":"Italy","years":"1891-1945","conflicts":["WWI","WWII","Italo-Turkish War","Ethiopian War"]}
Similar cartridges: 6.5x50mm Arisaka, 6.5x55mm Swedish