Lindcott Armory Rifle · CIP
6.5x57mm Mauser
Excellent European sporting cartridge combining 7x57 Mauser case with 6.5mm bullet.
- Caliber
- 0.2638″ · 6.7 mm
- Introduced
- 1894
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 7mm Mauser
- Primary use
- Hunting, Target
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1894
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Paul Mauser
- Manufacturer
- DWM
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 60 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 56,565 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 4000 yd
- Recoil
- 10–14 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Norma Oryx SP 140 gr, 2,887 fps, BC 0.410 G1 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 2886 | 2589 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2764 | 2374 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2643 | 2171 | -3.1″ | -1.5 |
| 300 yd | 2524 | 1980 | -11.1″ | -3.5 |
| 400 yd | 2408 | 1802 | -24.7″ | -5.9 |
| 500 yd | 2294 | 1635 | -44.2″ | -8.4 |
| 600 yd | 2182 | 1480 | -70.3″ | -11.2 |
| 700 yd | 2073 | 1335 | -103.7″ | -14.2 |
| 800 yd | 1966 | 1201 | -145.2″ | -17.3 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 6.5x57mm Mauser 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 ⌀ | 6.70 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.65 | 0.301 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.94 | 0.431 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 19° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.90 | 0.469 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.95 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.30 | 0.051 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.39 | 0.291 | ≈ |
| Case length | 56.70 | 2.232 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 82.00 | 3.228 | ✓ |
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. 6.5x57mm Mauser is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 12 active loads across 7 brands. Top 12 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma | Oryx SP | 140 | Oryx SP | 2,887 | 2,591 | 0.410 G1 |
| Hornady | Custom Interlock SP | 140 | Interlock SP | 2,887 | 2,591 | 0.410 G1 |
| Federal | Power-Shok SP | 140 | SP | 2,887 | 2,591 | 0.410 G1 |
| Norma | FMJ | 139 | FMJ | 2,756 | 2,344 | 0.410 G1 |
| GECO | SP Hunting | 127 | SP | 3,034 | 2,595 | — |
| RWS | ID Classic SP | 127 | ID Classic | 3,034 | 2,595 | — |
| GECO | Plus | 127 | HP | 2,953 | 2,459 | — |
| RWS | DK | 127 | Doppelkern | 2,953 | 2,459 | — |
| Norma | Tipstrike | 130 | Polymer Tip | 2,953 | 2,517 | — |
| RWS | HMK SP | 127 | HMK SP | 2,900 | 2,371 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP Hunting | 131 | SP | 2,887 | 2,424 | — |
| PPU | SP | 131 | SP | 2,875 | 2,404 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for 6.5x57mm Mauser, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by necking down 7x57mm Mauser to 6.5mm in 1894. Popular in Europe and Scandinavia for deer and mountain game. Never achieved the fame of its parent cartridge or the 6.5x55 Swedish, but remained a solid performer. Declined after WWII but still produced by European ammunition makers.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x57mm Mauser use?
- 6.5x57mm Mauser typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x57mm Mauser?
- 6.5x57mm Mauser uses a 0.2638″ (6.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x57mm Mauser still in production?
- 6.5x57mm Mauser is limited; typical availability is limited.
- What is 6.5x57mm Mauser used for?
- 6.5x57mm Mauser is primarily used for hunting, target.
- What is 6.5x57mm Mauser based on?
- 6.5x57mm Mauser is derived from the 7x57mm Mauser case.
- What are the best powders for 6.5x57mm Mauser?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 6.5x57mm Mauser include Reloader 17.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 12 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →