6.5x53mmR - Need Reloading info

R

Rookie21

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I was gifted a family rifle. A sporterized 1914 Hembrug. Aka Dutch Manlicher or Dutch M95. It's 6.5x53mmR caliber. I can special order dies I think from RCBS... NOT cheap. Or I can attempt the long tedious process of making the brass from 303 British. I would rather not make the brass from 303 British. I would much rather have brass and the right dies. Makes more sense to me. Hard stuff to find I think though. Or if found not cheap.

So where do I find the brass for this caliber?

And does anyone here have this or reload for this? Any advice?
 
The dies are going to cost you, buy once cry once. Consider the cost of the dies the cost of owning such a unique piece of history since you already got the rifle for free.

Use 6.5x54 Mannlicher data to work up loads for your rifle, there is plenty of data for the "rimless" twin of the 6.5x53r.

I hope you have a very good shooting experience with such a unique heirloom.

Jimro
 
You can use 6.5x54 Mannlicher or 6.5x52 Carcano, whichever is more readily available.

Your biggest problem is going to be finding the enbloc clips for it.
 
Try CH-4D, their odd caliber dies are less expensive than RCBS.
$87.36
http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/caliber-list?filter-col=caliber&filter=Dutch

Clips are available:
https://www.buffaloarms.com/dutch-hembrug-1895-mannlicher-stripper-clip-scmdutch
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/263190.htm

Ammo is expensive, especially if you want the right headstamp instead of whatever is convenient to form from:
https://www.buffaloarms.com/ammunition/smokeless-ammo/metric-calibers/5-56-7-92mm

Buffalo Arms lists formed cases but Out of Stock.
 
This doesn't look like a cheap start up cost but I didn't pay anything for the rifle so... looks like Jim found everything I needed! Thank you very much! The loading and shooting won't happen for a little while probably but now I know what to set aside for funds and where to order the stuff. I'll try to come back with results. Thanks again to all who responded!
 
Once upon a time, in the late 19th century, the ".256" was highly thought of by target shooters in England. I think some of their matches had to have rules requiring .303s to keep the service rifle in action.

Some nominal 6.5mm European rifles take .268" bullets, I don't remember whether Mannlicher or Italian.
 
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