Convert 6.5x52 to 6.5x55?

Roadtrip99

Inactive
I was wondering if you can have a 6.5x52 turned into a 6.5x55 , I have a 6.5x52 and can;t find ammo or clips for it ,,any help will be appreciated
 
http://www.ammunitionstore.com/categories/rifle-ammunition/6-5x52-mannlicher-carcano.html

The base of the 6.5x55 is larger. By about .78mm, so the bolt would have to be machined out I'd imagine. The clips would have to be spread to load the fatter rounds and the barrel reamed. I'm not really sure the 6.5x52 was ever known for being a super strong action, and all that would only weaken it coupled with higher pressures of the 6.5x55....could be interesting.

6.5x52's were converted to 6.5x54, though I'm not sure if ammo would be any more available.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=158105&CAT=4451
 
Assuming the rifle is a Carcano, converting to 6.5x55 is theoretically possible but not feasible. Not only would the bolt have to be changed (and there is not a lot of room, but the magazine would have to be both lengthened and widened. I doubt the conversion could use the original clip system; the clips simply could not be widened, you would need to make new clips, which would not be feasible.

Converting the magazine to avoid use of a clip (which was done with the German 1888 Commission rifles) would be very costly.

In other words, unless you have lots of money and want to do something just to prove it can be done, your best bet is to keep checking for 6.5x52 brass that can be reloaded.

Jim
 
Hornady and Prvi load the 6.5x52 Carcano. Cheaper Than Dirt shows the Hornady available. If you intend to shoot it with any regularity then reloading will be your best bet and it'll be a lot less expensive and agrivating than trying to rechamber. Also, Liberty Tree Collectors has the Carcano clips and other goodies available.
 
Thanks guys for the info , sure helps me make up my mind., Do these places ship to Canada , and do you know which ammo would be better , Hornady or Privi Partizan
 
Liberty Tree will ship the clips to Canada but getting ammo shipped is a big hassle. Go to Canadian Gun Nutz and try some of the site sponsers for ammo. SFRC or CanadaAmmo should be able to help. Also try Epps - they should be able to get some ammo for you if they don't have any in stock. Save your brass and consider reloading - it's the best way to go for oddball calibers. It's also a fun hobby in itself!
 
I can;t believe it , I have found some ammo at my local gun smith ,,its made my Norma 6.5 carcano 156 grain and I found some clips on e-bay , there on there way from Italy , things are looking up. :)
 
The biggest thing would be the 6.5x52 is .267 while the 6.5x55 is .264. Graffs had the ammo but I got brass,bullets and dies from Midway and load my own. Gun parts corp. has the clips in stock. If you buy factory bullets they are loaded with .264 so they dont shoots as well as the hand loaded ones. I just redone mine and use it as a truck gun.
 
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