Carcano Loading Data

The load data provided below is provided as is and to be used at your own risk. The authors of The Carcano Homepage and the sources of the reloading data make no guarantees to the safety and correctness of the data and take no responsibility should you use the data. It is assumed that the loads produced by using this data will produce a safe load, but there are many variables in reloading, most of which are under the control of the reloader only. Thus it is up to the reloader to assume the risks associated with using the data below. If you cannot accept this disclaimer, then you should not be reloading.

Index

Other Sources of Reloading data for the Carcano:

Here is a link to a lot of useful reloading data from Norma. These handloads data are fairly powerful for US expectations, and make use of the full ballistic potential of the cartridge. All were established with normal (i.e. undersize = .264") commercial 6.5 mm bullets. Be careful when using bullets of .268" diameter, and reduce the minimum loads suitably, slowly working up. And here is a small table with Norma's factory cartridge ballistics.

Norma Precision AB - the entire new website of the famous Swedish ammo maker, with a fine online ballistic calculator.

M.D. Smith's Reloading Pages - one of the best and most comprehensive reloading sites on the Web.

Ken Shackelford's reloading pages, also with an own small page on the 6,5 x 52 Carcano.

English/Metric Unit Conversion Factors
1 inch = 25.4 millimeter
1 ft-lb (energy) = 1.3558 joule
1 grain = 0.0648 gram
1 ft/s = 0.2048 m/s)

6.5x52 Carcano
Bullet Cartridge Brass Primer Powder Cartridge Over All Length Performance Source of Data Comments
Weight Model Type Diameter Type Trim Length Type Weight Velocity V0 Energy E0
Grains Grams Inch mm Inch mm Grains Grams Inch mm ft/s m/s ft-lb joule
129 8.36 Hornady Spire Point 0.264 6.71         IMR 4895 29.0 1.88             ER via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard This is an approximately 2000 fps load. I wanted less kick. 1.5 inch group at 80 yards in a rifle with like-new rifling. It seems the 0.264 inch projectiles work OK.
140 9.07 Remington             Federal 210 IMR 4350 38.2 2.48             graniteman via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard  
140 9.07 Remington PSPCL .0264 6.71 Resized Norma 6.5x54MS     Winchester WLR IMR 4895 27 1.75 2.94 74.68         Gaetano Liberatore This is an untested experimental load based on a H4895 load provided with the Lee 6.5x52 Carcano dies. However, I have seen documented similar loads with up to 31 grains of IMR 4895.
160 10.37 Hornady             Federal 210 IMR 4350 35.6 2.31             graniteman via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard  
160 10.37 Hornady Round Nose             I-3031 24.0 1.56             mag via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard Light load meant for the M70/87/15 Vetterli.
160 10.37 Hornady or Custom Round Nose .264" or .268           I-3031 27.4 1.78             mag via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard This load can be used with either a the "long" 160 gr. Hornady Round nose bullet (.264") or Custom mfg. .268" bullets with a oversize (.267") bore.
160 10.37 Hornady Round Nose             I-3031 28.0 1.81             mag via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard The load is mild, low velocity, that helps lower the bullet impact at 100 yards witht he high shooting sights.
160 10.37   Full Metal Jacket Round Nose 0.267 6.78 Norma 6.5 Carcano       Norma 202
or
Winchester 748		 34.0 2.20             Gianni La Capra  
160 10.37 Sierra Semi Pointed 0.264 6.71       CCI 200 LR VithaVuori N-160 37.0 2.40             Marc Witkowsky via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard Will produce 1.5 to 2.5 inch groups at 100m in my M41. Will not work with lighter bullets, especially if they have a boat tail (groups will open up to 6-7 inch at 100m).

7.35x51 Carcano
Bullet Cartridge Brass Primer Powder Cartridge Over All Length Performance Source of Data Comments
Weight Model Type Diameter Type Trim Length Type Weight Velocity V0 Energy E0
Grains Grams Inch mm Inch mm Grains Grams Inch mm ft/s m/s ft-lb joule
128 8.29     .300 7.62 Military surplus w/primer pocket converted to Boxer)       3031 34 2.20             Gary D. via via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard Based on a load originally published in American Rifleman, Oct. 1959
145 9.40   Full Metal Jacket Spitzer Flat Base w/cannelure (27.4 mm long) .300 7.62 Norma 6.5 Carcano (Fire Formed)       Norma 202
or
Winchester 748		 39 2.53 2.90 73.7         Gianni La Capra  

8x57IS Mauser (Reduced for Carcano Moschetto)
Bullet Cartridge Brass Primer Powder Cartridge Over All Length Performance Source of Data Comments
Weight Model Type Diameter Type Trim Length Type Weight Velocity V0 Energy E0
Grains Grams Inch mm Inch mm Grains Grams Inch mm ft/s m/s ft-lb joule
125 8.10 Hornady Spitzer Soft Point .323 8.20         Norma 201 40 2.59             Gianni La Capra  
170 11.0 Hornady Round Nose .323 8.20         I-3031 35.0 2.27             mag via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard I have gotten groups as good as 2.5 (inches) with this load.
200 12.96 Speer Soft Point .323 8.20       Federal 210 IMR 4895 39.0 2.53             graniteman via Tuco's Italian Firearms HotBoard No signs of excess pressure, but I think next time I will back it down a grain or two. A lighter bullet would help recoil.

Adding a load to the table

Do you have load you would like to add to the table above? If so, please fill out the form below. Please do not add data that is already published, as that can be construed as Copyright Infringement. However, if you developed a load based on published data (i.e., changed the amount of powder, use a particular combination of components, etc.), please indicate the source of original data on which your special load is based on.

Please identify yourself
Your full name
Your e-mail address
Caliber
6.5x52 Carcano
7.35x51 Carcano
8x57 IS Mauser (Reduced for Moschetto)
Other (Specify)
Bullet Weight
grains grams
Bullet Model (Manufacturer and model)
Bullet Type
Round Nose (RN)
Hollow Point (HP)
Solid Point (SP)
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
Boat Tail
Other (Specify)
Bullet Diameter
6.5x52 Carcano
.264inch/6.71mm
.267inch/6.78mm
.268inch/6.81mm
.269inch/6.83mm
7.35x51 Carcano
.298inch/7.57mm
.299inch/7.59mm
.300inch/7.62mm
8x57 IS Mauser (Reduced for Carcano Moschetto)
.318inch/8.10mm
.323inch/8.20mm
Other (Specify) inch mm
Cartridge Brass Model (Manufacturer and model)
Cartridge Brass Trim Length
inch mm
Primer (Manufacturer and model)
Powder Model
Powder Weight
grains grams
Cartridge Over All Length
inch mm
Velocity V0
ft/s m/s
Energy E0
ft-lb joules
Comments about the load:

Please review the above information.
If the above information is correct, press
To clear the above form, press

If you have submitted information in error, please e-mail Gaetano Liberatore, and describe what you have done. Here is a link to a lot of useful reloading data from Norma.
These handloads data are fairly powerful for US expectations, and make use of the full ballistic potential of the cartridge. All were established with normal (i.e. undersize = .264") commercial 6.5 mm bullets. Be careful when using bullets of .268" diameter, and reduce the minimum loads suitably, slowly working up.
And here are a small table with Norma's factory cartridge ballistics.

Norma Precision AB - the entire new website of the famous Swedish ammo maker, with a fine online ballistic calculator.

M.D. Smith's Reloading Pages - one of the best and most comprehensive reloading sites on the Web.
Ken Shackelford's reloading pages, also with an own small page on the 6,5 x 52 Carcano.