Ben is a bad influence......

Pb2au

Pb2au

Active Member
So there I was, minding my own business at the gun show yesterday and low and behold, I bought a Mannlicher Shoenhauer. I really didn't have any choice as it is so handsome, and the fellow had the dies for it to boot.
So, yet again a rifle followed me home. Of course in a less than common chambering....
Pics will happen tonight, but a quick look to google can satisfy the curiosity.
It has what appears to be the original scope mounted (it is serialized, matching the rifle) with a clever quick detach mechanism.
I am in research mode now on the cartridge, 8x56 M-S. It is VERY similar in dimension to the 8x57 mauser. I do need to check the barrel to see what the groove diameter is, as I am picking up snippets that some of the early examples (like mine) run towards .329". But a slug will help tell the tale there.
Anyway, I will get some pics up later.
 
Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Rafe Hollister from the Andy Griffith Show, "I would've greased my shoes but the cats all follow me when I do." I have that same problem with guns, they follow me and I ain't even greasing my shoes! Maybe it is the aroma of Hoppe's #9.

Can't wait to see the pics of that beautiful rifle!
 
Pb2au

Pb2au

Active Member
Will do as soon as I get home tonight!
Dumb week this week, office today, then back on the road till thursday. This whole work/adult responsibility thing is incredibly disruptive to my hobbies.....
 
I

Intheshop

Banned
Yes,Ben is a bad influence...but so is this whole site,in some ways.

I'll admit to buying reloading equipment recently,instigated heretofore.

But will also admit to learnin a thing or two.Equipment purchases just getting us closer to the goal.
 
Pb2au

Pb2au

Active Member
Here is a couple of quick pics.
When I get back in town, I'll get some in better light.
Enjoy,

image.jpeg
Notice the complicated elevation adjustment!

image.jpeg image.jpeg
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Ben may very well be a bad influence depending on who's wife you ask but, he's a bad influence in a really really good way.

I'm young enough yet I still learn something new everyday. Aint never heard of such a rifle. I'd say you/we are all terrible influences. Congratulations & thanks for sharing.
 
KHornet

KHornet

Well-Known Member
A classic Jager style rifle. Classic and Classy! Havent seen one that nice in
quite awhile.
Paul
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
You have an EXQUISITE example of a pre-war Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1908 full-stock carbine. That scope mount is uber-rare, seldom seen outside Europe. If the Mannlicher Collector's Assiciation in Oregon is still active, you might contact them for info on the arm and its scope & mount.

The 8 x 56 M/S is listed in "Cartridges Of The World" by John T. Amber et al. I owned a 1908 for about 10 years, and loaded J-words for it. The ballistics are not the equal of the 8 x 57 Mauser; a 200 grain bullet at about 2200 FPS is its OEM top-end. I never managed to take a deer with the beautiful little gun, but did whack a number of coyotes with it. DRT, every time.

Brass is easy--get 8 x 57 brass, run it into the 8 x 56 sizer die (gives a slight squeeze to the case body and moves the shoulder back just a skoash), then trim to proper length and you are good to go. I didn't slug the bore and didn't try casting for it, but it shot .323" J-words rather well for me. COTW gave data in past editions--my 7th Edition (pp. 344) shows a 170 grain SP bullet with 44 grains of IMR 4895 giving 2260 FPS, also a 200 grain SP with 40 grains of IMR 3031 giving 2050 FPS.

RCBS had dies for me in stock at Huntington's in Oroville. This was 30 years ago, though. A few guys at MCA reported that their 8 x 56 rifles would accept a trimmed-down 8 x 57 case; my rifle's chamber was a bit too snug and short for that drill. I don't like forcing things into firearms--one easy pass through the 8 x 56 sizer and a .025" case mouth cut and VOILA!

Amber called the 8 x 56 'equivalent to the 35 Remington'. That is a pretty good comparison. Given the brushy, broken-timbered country I do most of my local deer hunting within, the 8 x 56 or a 35 Remington is well-nigh perfect for the task--and persuasive enough to whack a black bear that wants to fight you for your venison, too. I would still have that 1908 M/S, if not for a divorce fire sale some years back. It was a useful, practical caliber that sent sufficient stomp downrange without beating the daylights out of the sender.
 
Pb2au

Pb2au

Active Member
9.3x62 ,
Thank you so much for the info, I appreciate every bit of it.
I have 8x57 brass on the way, as I had did a bit of reading that it was a simple thing to reform it for the MS. Thanks for the tips on that, it is in the mental tool box.
I've got a good supply of .323 jacketed bullets, many 170 grain. So for starters I will begin there.
I took it down Sunday night and gave it a quick clean and oil and the craft put into it was apparent. Very nice indeed.
Everyone else, I appreciate the kind words and info. I will do my best to give it a good life with me.
I am considering making a proper lined wooden case for it. I normally work in steel, not dead tree carcasses, but I think I can manage for this project.
 
Pistolero

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Cute as can be, and thank goodness it is scoped. Scoping those split receiver guns can
be a nightmare today. Very high quality machine you have there. I hope the bore is good.

Bill
 
smokeywolf

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
That is beautiful!

Makes me think my dad modeled the Garand after that particular rifle.

You're very lucky to have found that. There's no way I could have resisted it.
 
Pb2au

Pb2au

Active Member
Got a trial run of cases formed. Turned out I had to shorten the shell holder a bit to get the shoulder back enough. No big deal.
Made a quick range trip, test fire. No drama, other than the cases are a little sticky on closing and opening of the bolt. Minor adjustment needed, should be good to go.

@ Pistolero, Still learning about the rifle. Not sure at what point in it's life it was scoped, but for sure early. Interesting, the front mount was dovetailed into the receiver. Very clean job, no apprentice marks on it.. I'll get a pic of it asap. Traveling again now.
 
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