Two more for the war horse stable...

M

Marko Kloos

Inactive
I am really getting into buying old, un-sporterized WWI and WWII bolt-action battle rifles. They're so cheap that a few hundred dollars can get you a case of rifles, and there are some really great, time-tested designs out there.

I started with an Enfield No.4 last year, which was my first and only rifle for a while. I've since added a few modern rifles to my closet, but yesterday I picked up a Mosin-Nagant M1891. Today, on my lunch break, I went to the local sporting goods store and bought a straight-pull Steyr Mannlicher M95/34. Now I have three war veterans, and I believe I'll be looking for a good Mauser at the gun show next weekend.

Anybody know where to get the en-bloc clips for Mannlicher rifles, and 8x56R ammo? :)
 
I too have a m95/34. I got my 8x56r ammo from http://members.tripod.com/greatsouthernarms/ for $5 per 10 rounds. They were packaged 10 per box in 2 clips. He was the cheapest I was able to find. Good luck finiding some. This round was last produced in surplus quantities in the late 1930's. The stuff I got was 1938/39 with Nazi eagle stamps on the heads. Shot 5 rounds and found the rifle very accurate (1" group at 50 yards open sights) but placed high on the target. But man did that thing kick! Get the last of the surplus ammo you can 'cuz its almost all gone. RCBS and Lee both make reloading dies ($90), Bertram makes brass ($38 per 20!), but the bullets are the problem. It is an oddball size. Not .323 like other 8mm. Its .330 so you will have to use the bullets made for the 318 Westley Richards made by Woodleigh ($50 per 50). .323 bullets would work, but accuracy will suffer. Reloading is expensive for these rounds. Be sure not to confuse 8x56r Hungarian-Mannlicher with the 8x50r or the 8x56 Schoneauer(?). Also, the rifle has a flip up rear sight. With it down it is regulated at 500 meters. Flip it up, slide the piece up and you will uncover a "hidden" 300 meter sight. This works best as it is the lowest of them all. Great rifle and I love mine, but I feel that it won't be shot much due to depleting status of surplus ammo, non-availability of commercial ammo, and the cost to reload. I will stick to my M48a Mauser.
 
Stopped by the gun store after work, and they had eighty rounds of 1938 Nazi manufacture 8x56R sitting on the shelf, neatly packaged in cardboard on Mannlicher stripper clips. I bought every round they had...talk about dumb luck.
 
No kidding. Glad to hear you picked up all 80 rounds. I think you will like the little gun. Just out of curiousity, what did you pay for the rounds?
 
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