Anyone familiar with the 8x54 Krag ctg?

[walnutred]

I was looking at a M96 that had been very nicely converted to 8x54. From what I can tell from doing an internet search this is a necked up 6.5x55, which was done to meet some Swedish hunting requirements.

Just curious if anyone has actual experience with this caliber. Any ballistic data? I guessing that ballistic wise this will be real close to a US loaded 8x57, given that US manufacturers tend to down load this ctg.

 

[revolvergeek]

The 8x54 Krag-Jorgensen was a necked up 6.5x55mm intended to give roughly the same power as the 8x58 Krag just by rebarelling (the 8x58 Krag was adopted by the Dutch military in 1889, originally issued with a 237/238 grain RN bullet @ 1968fps, but switched in 1908 to a 196 grain sptizer @2460fps). It is a pretty uncommon as I understand it. I don't think that it was every commercially loaded by any of the big international ammo makers. Old loading data shows either a 150@2850 or a 196@2300-2400. It would probably be a very effective hunting cartridge if you don't mind forming up brass and handloading.


Feel free to PM me if you have further questions.


Regards,
Danny

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC (don't have my books in front of me) the 8x54 Krag round was an attempt to give the Krag a little more power but it was found the single lug on the bolt simply could not handle the increased pressure.

 

[walnutred]

Thanks for the info. I'd never ran into one before and was surprised to find 3 for sale in one location. It looks like an easy ctg to load for, except dies are around $80. I don't have any 6.5x55 brass to form up but I do have around 100 7x57, which would be an easy case conversion.

 

[Cyrano]

I think that 6.5X55 has a fatter base than the 7X57 and others which have the same diameter base as the 30-06.