Mannlicher

[yamoon]

Hello
I have been affected by the Mannlicher virus. Want to own one. Are the later ‘52, ‘56, MC, MCA, as smooth operating as the ‘03, ‘05 rifles? Are there other differences besides swept bolt handle & the safety. I hope to find a full stock carbine. There is one on Gun Broker chambered for 9.5x57. I thought rifle would be a nice cast bullet caliber. The condition is a bit rough for the price. DST is a must. Thanks for any input.
Mike

[yamoon]

Pulled the trigger, should be here in a few days. Really wanted a 1903 but ended up with an MCA. It is almost as new, no finish wear very few handling dings.
mike

[mike ford]

Mike,
To me the most notable difference is the stock, not saying it is bad or good, it's a matter of taste.
Mike

[yamoon]

I agree, I am a traditionalist, I don’t like the MCA stock, but the condition and price influenced my decision. If the action is as smooth as the older rifles, I am sure I will be happy with it. It is a 243, I have dies, brass, and bullets, so no additional cost there. I am impatiently waiting for the March winds to subside, so I can spend some meaningful days on the range.
Thanks Mike

[mike ford]

Mike,
I understand completely, I freely admit to not being a 243 fan, but it would be possible to make me buy one if the price and other conditions demanded it.
Mike

[yamoon]

We must think alike. I would rather the rifle were a 6.5x54ms or an 8x56 ms with an oil finish stock. My hope is that the rifle has a 1in 9 or a 1 in 10 twist so it will handle 100 grain or heavier 6 mm bullets. Probably more Kansas whitetails killed each year with a 243 than any other caliber. I was a happy owner of several German schuetzen & stalking rifles, the GGCA sight and publications have corrupted me, had to have a few bolt actions. I suppose the next have to own will be a drilling.
Mike

[mike ford]

Mike,
The twist in European 243s is fast enough to stabilize 100 or a little heavier bullets ( assuming conventional bullets, I'm not sure about monolithic VLD type bullets).
Mike

[yamoon]

Picked up the rifle yesterday. It is exactly as advertised, not a wear spot or scratch on the metal and only a few handling dings in the wood. There is 3x9 Leupold vari x II mounted in factory Redfield rings & a Bianchi Cobra sling. The MCA stock is not that bad. The action is all I have ever heard, smooth as butter, polished feed ramp. Now the disappointing part, unloaded it weighs 9 pounds! Even stripped of scope, mounts & sling it will still be over 7 1/2 pounds. This is the light fast handling carbine? All & all it is remarkable for a 60 year old rifle. I hunt from a hide, so I can live with the weight.
Mike

[MS9x56]

I am no expert but I had lusted for one for 40 years before I finally got my first Mannlicher Schoenauer a model 1905 proofed in 1921. Caliber 9x56 MS. It has been a journey getting the old girl back in the woods doing what it was built to do. It is the smoothest action I have ever felt. At 6 lbs and 10 oz it does get your attention when you touch it off. I have taken 2 white tails and several wild pigs with it so far all one shot kills. I know most fans fawn over the 6.5x54 but I want my next one to be the 9.5 model 1910. What can I say I love the thump.

[MS9x56]

Yamoon, now you know the difference. I used to have a 243 in a Ruger 77 RSI with Mannlicher stock. Killed 2 bucks with it both died within sight but no exit wound and no blood trails. Can’t say it didn’t work, Just not to my satisfaction. Traded it for same model in 250-3000 savage. If I am going to spend 2k on a Mannlicher it will be a pre-war model. They handle like a fine English shotgun come up pointing where you are looking with sight all lined up. Just get the “feels” every time I handle one. The MCA’s just don’t give me the feels. They are very smooth but that and the name is about all they have in common with the pre war models. Just one hunters opinion. I do hope you enjoy hunting with it. They are a fine tree stand rifle not so much for still hunting. They are generally more accurate than the prewar models but there is only one degree of dead and for that my 1905 works exceedingly well. Good hunting.

[yamoon]

Went to the range today, I am still working up a load for the Mannlicher . I have 2 pre WW1 Mauser sporters, both 8x57, I do like the way 8x57 works on deer. One of them is open sight, weighs 6 1/2 pounds has a 20 inch barrel. It handles like a dream.

[yamoon]

Posted the wrong picture. This rifle left the seller prior to WW1 with a 20 1/4 inch barrel to the bolt face. COVID ruined my 2020 deer season so have not taken game with it yet
Mike