Miscellaneious responses:
1) For that kind of money ($4500) you could have three or four vintage Mannlicher-Schoenauers.
2) Parent cartridge for the 6.5x54 Mauser was the 7x57, which was also parent to half the sporting rifle ammunition made in the last century, so suitable brass for conversion would not be a problem. Add dies and standard reloading components and you're in business. Ballistically, it should be very similar to the 6.5x55 Swedish or .260 Remington (6.5x51).
3) The gunsmith to whom I referred earlier is Bruce Preheim of B&B Guns & Pawn in Rexburg, Idaho. Of course Gary Goudy and many other custom gunmakers have done similar work over the years, with varying degrees of quality.
Cheers,
Peconga in Boise, Idaho
Last edited by Peconga; 05/12/10 12:06 PM.
