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Hi All,
I am currently trying to reload for my Berthier. I would like to use bullets cast from my 8mm Karabiner mold I got from midsouth. The problem is that the bullets I'm getting from this mold are around 235grs, and I can't find any load data for a bullet that heavy in this cartridge. On the plus side, the weights on these aren't too far off the original "Balle M" loading. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
A couple things.
The 8x50R groove diameter is usually over 0.326, generally around 0.3275.
As far as powders and charges for cast boolits, a starting load for a jacketed bullet close to the same weight with one of the faster rifle powders will probably be safe.
Here's a place to look:
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=20
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/vie...f=152&t=113502
This is the problem, I can't even find any load data for jacketed bullets over 225gr. The original "Balle M" loading for the 8x50R Lebel was 232 grs(flat nose, flat base), so it can be done. I just can't find any data
Hmmm,
So the plot thickens a tad. I pulled some bullets from some old french surplus ammo. The bullets weigh about 235 gr. I don't know too much about French ammunition head stamps, but it looks like these were made in 1940. They measure at .326-.327.
Also, my cast bullets measure at .328-.329 unsized. So I think if I could come up with some data, I could probably load these, though I would probably need to size them.
Hi Mace, I use the 205gr. 329 bullet for the M95 steyr, as cast,dip lube with 45/45/10, gc. and 13 gr. promo, military brass converted to boxer primer. It shoots better than I can see over those berthier sights out of 2 of my 3 berthiers, 2 carbines and 1 long rifle. The one carbine has a blunderbuss muzzle, bullets kind of rattle down the bore. Your 329 bullet should work unsized depending on your bore. I enjoy shooting mine with cast boolits far more than with military loads, much less painfull, Plus its more accurate.
Stubck
I use the Lee 175gn 8mm Mauser bullet gas checked to .323 with 23.0gns of 5744 for my M1892 Berthier Artillery Carbine with good results.Quote:
Originally Posted by mace2364
ukrifleman.
Like others say-slug your bore.
Chances are you will be stuck with .329 mold from Lee.
I'm loading 8x50Lebel and this was the only boolit I could use and close bolt withoult GC hanging inside case or jamming boolit in the rifling.
Not to mention I need .327+ size cast...
Seems like a perfect match..... sounds like the way to go with an inexpensive off the shelf mold....... did you have any issues with bullet seating? Seems like most folks use Lee 8x50r Rebel dies, and the expander ball is what .323? were your boolits swaged down upon seating?
I picked up a custom M die expander from Buffalo Arms pretty quickly after starting to cast for a Lebel. Proper sized bullets shaved lead badly when using just the Lee dies.Quote:
Originally Posted by ak_milsurp
Thanks....about what I thought!
I know this post is quite a few years old but I have been reloading for my Berth for years. I have had really good results using the same cast bullets that I use for my Mausers. its a 175 gr round nose from a lee mold. For the Berth I don't size them and I use to use alox but have recently started podercoating my cast boolits. I have found 15-17 grains of unique gives me a very accurate and pleasant to shoot round. My Berth is a carbine and I have seen no other like it. The barrel is only 151/2 inches long and the rifle weighs just under 6 pounds. A full power load out of my carbine is very unpleasant to shoot, but the flame and muzzle blast that comes out the barrel is cool looking.Quote:
Originally Posted by mace2364