Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard
6.5x52mm Carcano
Italian military cartridge with mild recoil and good accuracy.
- Caliber
- 0.2677″ · 6.8 mm
- Introduced
- 1891
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1891
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Italy
- Inventor
- Salvatore Carcano
- Manufacturer
- Italian State Arsenal
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 46 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 3000 yd
- Recoil
- 10–14 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,067–2,461 fps · 13 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 6.5x52mm Carcano ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.80 | 0.268 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.55 | 0.297 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.94 | 0.431 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 24.3° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.41 | 0.449 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.45 | 0.451 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.30 | 0.051 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.54 | 0.297 | ≈ |
| Case length | 52.50 | 2.067 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 76.50 | 3.012 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5x52mm Carcano is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 13 active loads across 9 brands. Top 14 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GECO | Hunting | 130 | FMJ | 2,461 | 1,748 | — |
| RWS | Rifle | 139 | ID Classic | 2,461 | 1,869 | — |
| Norma | SP Hunting | 139 | SP | 2,428 | 1,819 | — |
| PPU | SP | 139 | SP | 2,300 | 1,632 | — |
| RWS | Rifle | 154 | HMK | 2,297 | 1,804 | — |
| Fiocchi | FMJ | 162 | FMJ | 2,296 | 1,896 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 139 | SP | 2,296 | 1,627 | — |
| PPU | FMJ BT | 139 | FMJ BT | 2,280 | 1,604 | — |
| GECO | Hunting | 156 | HP | 2,264 | 1,775 | — |
| Hornady | Custom Interlock SP | 160 | Interlock SP | 2,250 | 1,798 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X | 160 | Power Point | 2,200 | 1,719 | — |
| Federal | Power-Shok | 160 | SP | 2,200 | 1,719 | — |
| Norma | Alaska SP | 156 | Alaska SP | 2,067 | 1,480 | — |
| Italian Army | FMJ Ball Service | 162 | FMJ | 2,280 | 1,870 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 6.5x52mm Carcano
12 models in the database chamber 6.5x52mm Carcano. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
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.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x52mm Carcano use?
- 6.5x52mm Carcano typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x52mm Carcano?
- 6.5x52mm Carcano uses a 0.2677″ (6.8 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x52mm Carcano still in production?
- 6.5x52mm Carcano is obsolete; typical availability is limited.
- What is 6.5x52mm Carcano used for?
- 6.5x52mm Carcano is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 13 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →