6,5x68 Mauser 98

[IvW]

The 6.5x68 is a awesome long range caliber, the only drawback being that it is seriously overbore and has limited barrel life.

 

[Coldswede]

Im not too worried about the barrel life tbh since this is a pure hunting rifle. Its such a light rifle that it isnt really comfortable shooting loads of rounds down range. Its perfect to carry in the Woods though. Thinking i might get a 375 H&H next and then complement with a range rifle in 6,5x55.

 

[MartyJ]

sorry typo .. 458 win mag

Nice, very nice. The first rifle pictured really is a beauty. The 458, I see the rear base for the QD scope mount, what happened to the front base ? Just being nosey

 

[MartyJ]

Nice, very nice. The first rifle pictured really is a beauty. The 458, I see the rear base for the QD scope mount, what happened to the front base ? Just being nosey

Sorry, didn't read all the posts. It's 03:17 hours in NY and had Africa on my mind again.

 

[cem rona ergin]

Nice, very nice. The first rifle pictured really is a beauty. The 458, I see the rear base for the QD scope mount, what happened to the front base ? Just being nosey

they are waiting for the scope to measure it properly and then they will mount the front base

 

[Shootist43]

Did you buy the 454 and the 9.3 x 62?

 

[Coldswede]

Alright what would you guys say is the biggest african animal i could take with the 6,5x68? I would like to take kudu and zebra.

 

[Shootist43]

Coldswede, according to Chuck Hawks the 6.5 x 68 can be loaded with 63.0 Gr. of 4831 pushing a 140 Gr. bullet at 2993 FPS. That is just a little more than 200 FPS that I get out of my Swedish Mauser. Given that I have stated that I would take an "optimal" shot on the kudu of a lifetime if that was the only rifle I had available. The additional 200 FPS might make me breathe a little easier but IMHO it should still be considered a marginal caliber for an animal that can weigh 700 lbs. My son took a Zebra with a 270 unfortunately he had to shoot it several times. I know that there will be those that say they dropped Kudu and Zebra in their tracks using a 270. I also believe that there are many more that chased a wounded animal of that size for a considerable distance before being able to shoot it two or three more times. In short capable yes, preferred or optimal, no. If I knew ahead of time that I was going to be hunting either of these animals, I opt for something with more horsepower. I think my "cut-off" for your 6.5 x 68 would be Gemsbok, Blue/Black Wildebeest, Sable, Waterbuck etc.

 

[cem rona ergin]

Did you buy the 454 and the 9.3 x 62?

No ..not yet .. i am still thinking..

 

[Rick Cox]

A collimator is a device that you put into the end of a barrel that has a small screen on it. You rotate it so that the vertical and horizontal lines are "square with the rifle then you adjust the scope so that it lines up with the collimator. It is just used to "get the gun on paper" much like what bore sighting does. It is something that can be done from a bench and generally takes only a few minutes.

Thanks. I'll have to find one to have a look at. Not too expensive I assume? I find boresighting and shooting at 25 yards, gets me on paper most of the time.