Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903

Muddyboot · Jul 2, 2018

Does anyone have a Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903 carbine.
I won a nice one on GunBroker last week. in 6.5x54. I've been hunting a nice example for a couple of years now, and considered myself lucky to get this one. No one else bid it..., this is something of a grail rifle for me.

H Richard · Jul 2, 2018

Very nice looking rifle. I just love those full length stocks.

Muddyboot · Jul 2, 2018

H Richard said:
Very nice looking rifle. I just love those full length stocks.

Thanks, I need to find a front sight hood for it, anyone know a source?

federali · Jul 2, 2018

Mannlichers are exotic rifles and were especially in demand in the post war years. Ruger made their international carbine which was popular for a number of years before being discontinued. Mannlichers are characterized by butter-smooth actions and bolt travel.

Your rifle has quite a bit of drop at the heel, typical of Mannlichers. Also, they usually require the services of a Mannlicher-skilled gunsmith to get them to group.

Ammunition is available and the cartridge would be ideal for North American big game without also half-killing the guy behind the rifle. The rifle may be convertible to 6.5 Swede, a much more popular chambering.

CptCurl · Jul 2, 2018

I have one. It's a safe queen.

Love them!

Curl

M1A · Jul 2, 2018

Great looking rifles.
Just to compare. My Ruger M77 International in .243.
Drops a whitetail right now.

Muddyboot · Jul 2, 2018

CptCurl said:
I have one. It's a safe queen.

Love them!

Curl

Is that also in 6.5?

CptCurl · Jul 2, 2018

Yes. Every rifle designated a Model 1903 was originally chambered in 6.5x54.

Curl

HardToHandle · Jul 2, 2018

I have my Grandfather’s M.1910 he picked up post-War in Austria. Elegance in steel and wood.

Bakebfr480 · Jul 2, 2018

I have it's twin.

jwk · Jul 3, 2018

Perfect example of way cool! Wish they came Left handed. If custom stocks made out of good walnut werent horribly expensive i would have a left hand rifle cut down and restocked w a manlicher style stock w a good receiver sight.

one eye joe · Jul 3, 2018

I HAVE NEVER OWNED ONE, BUT THE BEDDING ISSUE OF A BARREL IN A FULL LENGTH STOCK, ALWAYS LED ME TO QUESTION THE ACCURACY OF SUCH A DESIGN.....

THIS THINKING APPEARS TO BE VALIDATED BY POST #4 ABOVE, BY federali, THAT EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR A MANNLICHER SKILLED GUNSMITH, TO GET THESE RIFLES TO GROUP. INACCURATE FIREARMS, NO MATTER HOW PLEASING TO THE EYE, DO NOT INTEREST ME......

Imissedagain · Jul 3, 2018

My Steyr Mannlicher SL Fullstock just found a new home and nothing touching the barrel works for one ragged hole groups.

Muddyboot · Jul 3, 2018

one eye joe said:
I HAVE NEVER OWNED ONE, BUT THE BEDDING ISSUE OF A BARREL IN A FULL LENGTH STOCK, ALWAYS LED ME TO QUESTION THE ACCURACY OF SUCH A DESIGN.....

THIS THINKING APPEARS TO BE VALIDATED BY POST #4 ABOVE, BY federali, THAT EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR A MANNLICHER SKILLED GUNSMITH, TO GET THESE RIFLES TO GROUP. INACCURATE FIREARMS, NO MATTER HOW PLEASING TO THE EYE, DO NOT INTEREST ME......

I haven't had a chance to shoot the rifle yet, so no report on the accuracy. I'm not worried about it, if it's a problem, I'll find a way to address it.

crsides · Jul 3, 2018

CZ has solved the problem, their full stock 452 will shoot lights out.

one eye joe · Jul 3, 2018

Imissedagain said:
My Steyr Mannlicher SL Fullstock just found a new home and nothing touching the barrel works for one ragged hole groups.

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE THAT NOTHING TOUCHING THE BARREL WOULD HELP.....

I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THE STOCK COULD BE RELIEVED TO FREE FLOAT THE BARREL, FROM THE RECEIVER ON FOWARD---BUT, NEVER HAVING EXAMINED ONE OF THESE BEAUTIES UP CLOSE---ITS HARD FOR ME TO ENVISION, HOW OR IF, THERE IS NO BARREL TO STOCK CONTACT AT THE MUZZLE, TO INTERFERE WITH THE NATURAL HARMONICS OF THE BARREL......

one eye joe · Jul 3, 2018

Muddyboot said:
I haven't had a chance to shoot the rifle yet, so no report on the accuracy. I'm not worried about it, if it's a problem, I'll find a way to address it.

THAT'S THE SPIRIT, Muddyboot. EVIDENTLY, FREE FLOATING THE BARREL HAS WORKED OUT FOR Imissedagain.....

one eye joe · Jul 3, 2018

crsides said:
CZ has solved the problem, their full stock 452 will shoot lights out.

VERY INTERESTING, crsides. IMHO, CZ HAS INCREASINGLY GAINED A REPUTATION, FOR MAKING SOME EXCELLENT RIFLES AND SEMI-AUTO PISTOLS......

beagleye · Jul 3, 2018

I like the BRNO 21 and 22 as a successor to MS carbines. Maybe not quite as high brow, but still very elegant. The Czechs must have been borrowing some of the style and character of their rifles from MS. And they are easy to work on, just plain ol mausers really.

CptCurl · Jul 3, 2018

I haven't shot my M1903 (safe queen), but I am confident that any Mannlicher Shoenauer in good condition will return good accuracy. They were precision made and carried an excellent reputation back in the day when available. If they were hopelessly inaccurate the hunters of that day and time would not have bought them.

I do have a M-S Model MCA carbine chambered in .358 Win. (very rare). I can report that it shoots quite well without any fiddling or tinkering. They were top quality rifles.

Those of you who shun them for lack of bench-rest accuracy can please send them my way.

Curl

Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903

Member

US Veteran

Member

Absent Comrade

SWCA Member

Member

Attachments

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

US Veteran

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

SWCA Member

Similar threads