Centerfire Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
6mm Lee Navy
The first small-bore service cartridge adopted by any branch of the US military, chambered in the Lee Navy Model 1895 straight-pull bolt-action rifle issued to the Navy and Marine Corps.
- Caliber
- 0.244″ · 6.198 mm
- Introduced
- 1895
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1895
- Type
- Centerfire Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 57 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:7.5
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 38,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 600 yd
- Max range
- 4500 yd
- Recoil
- 8.1–8.3 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 6mm Lee Navy, 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 ⌀ | 6.20 | 0.244 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.06 | 0.278 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.21 | 0.402 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 11.30 | 0.445 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.38 | 0.448 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | ~ |
| Neck length | 6.40 | 0.252 | |
| Case length | 59.69 | 2.350 | · |
| Overall length | 78.99 | 3.110 | · |
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. 6mm Lee Navy is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 6mm Lee Navy? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
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 6mm Lee Navy
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The 6mm Lee Navy was introduced in 1895 by Winchester Repeating Arms (United States).
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6mm Lee Navy use?
- 6mm Lee Navy typically uses a 1:7.5 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6mm Lee Navy?
- 6mm Lee Navy uses a 0.244″ (6.198 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6mm Lee Navy still in production?
- 6mm Lee Navy is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is 6mm Lee Navy used for?
- 6mm Lee Navy is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Gun Digest Books — Cartridges of the World (Frank C. Barnes / W. Todd Woodard, current ed.) — '6mm Lee Navy (.236 Navy)' entry · velocity, bullet ⌀, grain weights
- Secondary Forgotten Weapons (Ian McCollum) — 6mm Navy Straight Pull: The 1895 Lee Navy Rifle · bullet ⌀, velocity, year, grain weights archived
- Secondary Buffalo Bill Center of the West (museum) — A Caliber Too Far: The Lee Navy · year 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 →
