Elegant pre-WWI hunting and military cartridge known for its fine accuracy and the beautiful Mannlicher-Schönauer rotary-magazine rifles that chambered it. Beloved by African and European big-game hunters of the early 20th century.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1900, Austria
Parent case: None
Standardization: CIP
Bullet diameter: 0.264" (6.71 mm)
Case length: 2.126" (54 mm)
Overall length: 2.953" (75 mm)
Max pressure: 47,900 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:8.6
Muzzle velocity: 2230–2400 fps
Muzzle energy: 1720–1997 ft-lbs
Effective range: 300 yd
Common bullet weights: 156, 160 gr
Primary use: Hunting, Military
Production status: Active
Also known as: 6.5 MS · 6.5x54 M-S
History: Developed for the Greek military Mannlicher-Schönauer rifle, adopted in 1903. The cartridge gained fame through the sporting Mannlicher-Schönauer Model 1903 carbine — arguably the most elegant bolt-action ever made. W.D.M. Bell used it extensively on elephant, crediting its deep penetration on head shots. Factory ammunition is still produced by Sellier & Bellot and Hornady.
Notable firearms: Mannlicher-Schönauer Model 1903, Various sporting rifles
Military use: Greece, Netherlands (limited)
Similar cartridges: 6.5x55mm Swedish, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x57mm Mauser