In 1891 Italy produced their first trendy navy rifle changing the Vetterli with a 6.5 caliber Carcano. The rifle was developed by Lt. Col. Salvatore Carcano and Col. Parravicino each who labored on the Torino arms manufacturing unit in Turin. The unique caliber propelled a 6.5 mm 162 grain bullet at roughly 2300 ft per second. For that point it was an honest load which in contrast favorably with different 6.5’s of the identical interval. Pressures had been stored fairly gentle round 38,000 PSI. or so. Anyway they stored that chambering till shortly earlier than WW ll once they went to the 7.35 chambering. That chambering fired a 128 grain slug at 2480 ft per second which to me was inferior. To me the 128 grain slug has much less sectional density so would not penetrate as a lot because the 6.5 would. Be as it could be the 7.35 got here out however WW ll lower it off and so they went again to the 6.5 resulting from provide concerns. In actual fact a number of the 7.35’s was rebarreled to the 6.5 caliber. The 7.35 is merely the 6.5 necked up with no different modifications to the case. The 6.5 is by far the most typical and well-known. The rifle that shot J.F.Ok was a 6.5 Carcano and at the moment they might be purchased by the mail for about $20. Ah the great ol days!
A reality not well-known to everyone seems to be that some Carcanos had been made within the 8 X 57 Mauser chambering for the African marketing campaign. The logic I suppose was to simplify ammo provides with the Germans. I’m not positive precisely what number of had been made however they aren’t actual widespread right now as is the opposite 2 chamberings. I heard that about 50,000 of these rifles had been manufactured. The 8 mm is seldom talked about in references concerning the Carcano or in different references on WW ll weapons. When it’s it is normally only a footnote. So far as I do know it noticed little or no or no precise fight use in Africa or anyplace else. I do imagine Hunter’s Lodge sells them, for individuals who have an interest, and infrequently they seem at gun reveals which is the place I obtained mine. They promote within the Shotgun Information which is an effective supply to get navy rifles and provides. One of many issues which plague this in addition to another navy rifles is the issue in getting a clip. It takes a particular clip because the cartridge physique is bigger then both of the opposite Carcano rounds. Discovering a clip can be like hitting the lottery. You may strive gunshows or Numrich Arms might need one. Like the opposite Carcano chamberings it may be fired single shot although it is a gradual course of. To fireside the 8mm single shot the bolt needs to be eliminated and a cartridge inserted into the bolt head and changed within the gun. Since I do not plan on choosing a struggle with a gang with this rifle single shot is not a serious trouble. Whereas potential it isn’t actual simple to scope a Carcano. It must be a facet mounted affair due to the clip going by the highest. It may be price whereas to scope a 6.5 however I’d by no means do it to the 8 as they are not practically as widespread.
Everybody is aware of that Carcanos will not be as fascinating a collector merchandise as another navy items. Some people think about them junk and should not be shot or stored for that matter. After all that is nonsense. Anybody that has come to that conclusion hasn’t taken the time to shoot or look at the Carcano in any depth. Whereas not as robust as a Mauser or Arisaka they’re enough if fed correctly. No navy authority goes to subject a chunk of junk to their troops in the event that they anticipate to win a battle. The metallic end is first rate although considerably crude and the wooden seems to be tough however serviceable. The rear sight is non adjustable besides by a file however the samples I shot are pretty straight on at 50 yards. Like all Carcanos I’ve seen the caliber marking is simply in entrance of the entrance sight on this case it says 7.92. I would not problem anybody to a capturing match except we had been each utilizing Carcanos because the sight is crude. They’re helpful to hold and pretty gentle, although the journal stands out the underside and if on can be utilized for looking. I’ve shot numerous ammo in all 3 chamberings and by no means had a malfunction. After all I did not try to make a magnum out of any of them both. The bolt comes out by pulling the set off and pulling the bolt out as within the different Carcanos. The extractor is enough and the ejector situated straight beneath the bolt appears fairly sturdy. The security locks the bolt and holds the firing pin and it would not appear notably onerous to make use of. To interact the protection push it ahead and up. The locking lugs appear to be a reasonably first rate dimension and the bolt deal with additionally acts as a security lug, to a sure extent, in case the opposite two fail. There’s a small gap within the bolt that will vent some gasoline in case of a case failure. I do not know the way good it could work however a ruptured case is unlikely particularly utilizing correct 30-30 ammo 500 rounds and a gun in good condition. The set off is easy and dependable being typical navy. After capturing and inspecting these actions I do not see the place they’re so unhealthy if correct ammo is used. I did a undertaking lately the place I shot numerous ammo within the 7.35 and by no means had issues of any sort. The worst characteristic within the Carcanos is making an attempt to shoot it with no clip. The clip does nevertheless work nice as I’ve a pair for the 7.35.
Having stated all that I’d not hearth any 8mm navy ammo in it because it’s virtually actually too scorching for that motion. I’ve some navy ammo that I chronographed in my 23″ barrel 98 at nearly 2900 ft per second with a 150 grain bullet. I think about the pressures must be round 50,000 PSI. or so which is manner an excessive amount of for the Carcano.
Masses for this gun ought to be stored gentle. One supply is utilizing the minimal masses in loading manuals for the 8 X 57 Mauser. Listed here are some masses I’ve used and may advocate. If I used to be going to take this rifle deer looking I’d in all probability use the Hornady 170 grain flat nostril and tweak the load to shoot to the purpose of impression with the unique sight and use it as a single shot except I discovered a clip.
LOAD BULLET VELOCITY COMMENT
10 X Distinctive 125 grain Hornady 1459 honest
50 X IMR 4350 150 grain Hornady 2379 gentle
9 X Pink Dot 165 grain solid 1241 correct
10 X Distinctive 165 grain solid 1357 additionally correct
47 X 748 170 grain Hornady 2374 favourite
The 8 mm Carcano is an attention-grabbing a part of historical past even when it did not play a major roll within the African marketing campaign. Whereas I do shoot mine every now and then I think about it extra of a historic relic to have a look at and present different people.