Forming 6.5MS or Carcano from .30-30 Shells ?

iac · April 17, 2018, 10:20 PM

Gents, I recently saw this posting elsewhere on a shooting forum-
' A friend could make 6.5x54MS cases from .30-30 cases by adding a ring of either .30-30 case body or a ring from .40 S&W case.'
Is anyone aware of this and exactly how it's done ?
Thanks, IAC.

HiBC · April 17, 2018, 10:58 PM

First,I'm not doing the research to tell you if the case dimensions are compatible to make the cases in question from 30-30,or if its a good or safe idea.
I just don't know.This isn't a recommendation,I'm just answering part of yur question.

However,in regard to going from the rimmed 30-30 case to a rimless cartridge with an extractor groove...that can be done on a lathe.

The rim would be turned off and the groove would be cut with a tool ground to the desired form.

If this is done,care must be taken that there is enough brass thickness in the 30-30 so the brass is as strong as the factory brass you are trying to replicate.

Strength is very critical in the case head area. Thin sections can hurt you.

Ihave no clue about "adding a ring....". Does not sound right.

Mobuck · April 18, 2018, 07:29 AM

check out "Graf & Sons" as they often have some odd-ball cases available. Another source might be "Jamison" cartridge cases. Hornady runs some odd stuff now and then.

T. O'Heir · April 18, 2018, 03:39 PM

From .30-30 cases, you can't form either. Both 6.5's(Not the same thing either. 6.5mm MS is x 54mm. 6.5mm Carcano is x 52mm) are rimless cases. Both have case diameters at the extractor groove that are bigger than that of the .30-30's too.
Case dimensions are here. http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm
Anyway, 6.5 Carcano brass is easily available from Prvi via Midway at $29.49 per 50. Or the over priced Norma stuff at $14.99 per 25. $29.99 and $35.99 respectively from Graf's.
The 6.5 MS runs similar prices, but Graf's has Prvi 100 case bags on 'Clearance' at $40.99. (Once that's gone, they're not buying any more 100 case bags.) $33.99 per 25 for Norma. $31.59 per 50 for Prvi.

April 17, 2018, 10:20 PM	#1
iac Member Join Date: April 6, 2010 Posts: 17	Forming 6.5MS or Carcano from .30-30 Shells ? Gents, I recently saw this posting elsewhere on a shooting forum- ' A friend could make 6.5x54MS cases from .30-30 cases by adding a ring of either .30-30 case body or a ring from .40 S&W case.' Is anyone aware of this and exactly how it's done ? Thanks, IAC.

April 18, 2018, 03:39 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	From .30-30 cases, you can't form either. Both 6.5's(Not the same thing either. 6.5mm MS is x 54mm. 6.5mm Carcano is x 52mm) are rimless cases. Both have case diameters at the extractor groove that are bigger than that of the .30-30's too. Case dimensions are here. http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm Anyway, 6.5 Carcano brass is easily available from Prvi via Midway at $29.49 per 50. Or the over priced Norma stuff at $14.99 per 25. $29.99 and $35.99 respectively from Graf's. The 6.5 MS runs similar prices, but Graf's has Prvi 100 case bags on 'Clearance' at $40.99. (Once that's gone, they're not buying any more 100 case bags.) $33.99 per 25 for Norma. $31.59 per 50 for Prvi. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

April 17, 2018, 10:58 PM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	First,I'm not doing the research to tell you if the case dimensions are compatible to make the cases in question from 30-30,or if its a good or safe idea. I just don't know.This isn't a recommendation,I'm just answering part of yur question. However,in regard to going from the rimmed 30-30 case to a rimless cartridge with an extractor groove...that can be done on a lathe. The rim would be turned off and the groove would be cut with a tool ground to the desired form. If this is done,care must be taken that there is enough brass thickness in the 30-30 so the brass is as strong as the factory brass you are trying to replicate. Strength is very critical in the case head area. Thin sections can hurt you. Ihave no clue about "adding a ring....". Does not sound right.

April 18, 2018, 07:29 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	check out "Graf & Sons" as they often have some odd-ball cases available. Another source might be "Jamison" cartridge cases. Hornady runs some odd stuff now and then.