Rifle · Military · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
6.5x53mmR
Rimmed military cartridge adopted by the Dutch and Romanian armies for the Mannlicher Model 1895 rifle; one of the earliest military small-bore cartridges still sought by collectors..
- Caliber
- 0.2619″ · 6.652 mm
- Introduced
- 1892
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1892
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Austria-Hungary
- Inventor
- Ferdinand Mannlicher (Steyr)
- Manufacturer
- Steyr
- Standard
- Military · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 51.1 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 500 yd
- Max range
- 5100 yd
- Recoil
- 13.2–14 ft·lb
Introduced by Steyr
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 6.5x53mmR, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.65 | 0.262 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.55 | 0.297 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.75 | 0.423 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 25° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.48 | 0.452 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.41 | 0.528 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.25 | 0.049 | · |
| Neck length | 8.50 | 0.335 | ≈ |
| Case length | 53.49 | 2.106 | · |
| Overall length | 77.47 | 3.050 | · |
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. 6.5x53mmR is highlighted below.
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 6.5x53mmR
Lineage
Connected reference
History
One of the first small-bore military rifle cartridges adopted in Europe, the 6.5x53mmR served the Royal Netherlands Army and Romanian Army from 1892 through World War II. Dimensionally similar to the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer but the rimmed case makes them not interchangeable.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x53mmR use?
- 6.5x53mmR typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x53mmR?
- 6.5x53mmR uses a 0.2619″ (6.652 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x53mmR still in production?
- 6.5x53mmR is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is 6.5x53mmR used for?
- 6.5x53mmR is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
- Reference DBI Books / Krause (Frank C. Barnes) — Cartridges of the World · grain weights, velocity, bullet ⌀, year
- Secondary Wikipedia (pointer) — 6.5x53mmR · grain weights, velocity, year, bullet ⌀ archived
- Secondary Wolfe Publishing (LoadData.com) — Reloading Data 6.5x53R · grain weights, velocity archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
