8x56r Cast Boolit Load

[stlgunnut]

Hi everybody,

I finally found time to start loading cast bullets for my Steyr M95 and found the 329-205gr mould by Lee is what I'm going to work with.

Only problem is I can't find any reloading data for this load, and only powder I may have that would probably work is IMR SR 4759.

Any help would be appreciated.
Dan

[fatelk]

There is a ton of good info on loading this caliber in the CB Loads/ Military Rifles forum. Do a search there and you'll find a lot of helpful stuff.

To start, your mold is most likely too small for your rifle bore, as most (nearly all) M95s have oversize bores. Mine measured .332" IIRC. I bought the same mold and had to open it up. Slug your bore, then check out "lapping" and "Beagling". I learned a lot about enlarging a mold by working on mine. It came out pretty good.

I don't have my data handy right now, but I was able to work up a good load with bullets sized to my bore and using gas checks. I also bought a custom bullet sizer from Buckshot. Buckshot is the guy when it comes to sizers, and he knows all about this round.

Welcome to the forum!

[crazy mark]

Here are a few that came with the Lee dies I bought to reload 8x56R:

125 gr. bullet, 37.7 gr. H4198 max 42.0 gr. 3054 fps
125 gr. bullet, 49.4 gr. H380 max 55.0 gr. 2909 fps
125 gr. bullet, 52.1 gr. H414 max 58.0 gr. 2893 fps
125 gr. bullet, 45.8 gr. H335 max 51.0 gr. 2891 fps
125 gr. bullet, 42.2 gr. H322 max 47.0 gr. 2840 fps
125 gr. bullet, 45.8 gr. 4895 max 51.0 gr. 2796 fps
125 gr. bullet, 44.9 gr. BL-C(2) max 50.0 gr. 2789 fps
125 gr. bullet, 41.9 gr. Reloder15 max 46.8 gr. 2760 fps
125 gr. bullet, 40.9 gr. Reloder12 max 45.0 gr. 2720 fps
125 gr. bullet, 50.3 gr. H450 max 56.0 gr. 2509 fps
125 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H4350 max 54.0 gr. 2480 fps
125 gr. bullet, 53.0 gr. Accur4350 max 53.0 gr. 2418 fps
125 gr. bullet, 53.0 gr. Accur3100 max 53.0 gr. 2185 fps
125 gr. bullet, 54.5 gr. Accur8700 max 54.5 gr. 1788 fps

150 gr. bullet, 36.8 gr. H4198 max 41.0 gr. 2848 fps
150 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H380 max 54.0 gr. 2778 fps
150 gr. bullet, 50.3 gr. H414 max 56.0 gr. 2773 fps

170 gr. bullet, 44.0 gr. H4895
170 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H4895 max 46.0 gr. 2501 fps
170 gr. bullet, 47.6 gr. H414 max 53.0 gr. 2586 fps
170 gr. bullet, 39.5 gr. H322 max 44.0 gr. 2555 fps
170 gr, bullet, 44.0 gr. H380 max 49.0 gr. 2509 fps
170 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H4350 max 54.0 gr. 2507 fps

200 gr. bullet, 40.7 gr. Accur 4350 max 44.0 gr. 2039 fps
200 gr. bullet, 49.0 gr. Accur 3100 max 49.0 gr. 1980 fps
200 gr. bullet, 54.5 gr. Accur 8700 max 54.5 gr. 1692 fps

220 gr. bullet, 46.0 gr. Accur 3100 max 49.2 gr. 1946 fps
220 gr. bullet, 39.4 gr. Accur 4350 max 42.0 gr. 1906 fps
220 gr. bullet, 51.5 gr. Accur 8700 max 51.5 gr. 1512 fps

225 gr. bullet, 51.2 gr. H4831 max 57.0 gr. 2346 fps
225 gr. bullet, 44.9 gr. H414 max 50.0 gr. 2342 fps
225 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H380 max 46.0 gr. 2285 fps
225 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H4350 max 46.0 gr. 2221 fps
225 gr. bullet, 44.0 gr. H450 max 49.0 gr. 2145 fps
----------------------------------------------------
Bullets are .329 - .330 inches in diameter. Be aware that maximum loads are listed. This data is for study purposes only. I cannot be responsible for how you use it.
Copied from another site.

[stlgunnut]

I have that data but I'm looking for data for cast bullets

[Maven]

If your search doesn't show Buckshot's posts, PM him about the 8 x 56R.

[DanM]

I hesitate mentioning my 8x56r loads because I use the fatter Lee .338" boolit sized down to .333-4". Also, I am loading them warm, 1800-1900fps. What works for me is 34-38gr IMR4350 topped off with COW fill to the mouth. Seating the boolit compresses the COW, and with magnum primers, gives me great results. Accuracy is fine, with really low SD numbers too. However, I wonder if accuracy will hold for you loading the smaller boolit to mid level velocities. Maybe not. BTW....I missed out on ordering an Oldfeller Frankenstein mold from NOE before they were bought out and discontinued production. If anyone has one they wouldn't mind loaning, I would like to try it, and would treat it with the utmost care....

[stlgunnut]

I messaged him last night, hopefully he has some advice

[TreeKiller]

Dan M

Look here.

http://brp.castpics.net/R1.html
The OldFeller is listed

I missed out on ordering an Oldfeller Frankenstein mold from NOE before they were bought out and discontinued production.

[dromia]

As far as I know NOE haven't been bought out, it is BRP that has unfortunately, for us, ceased production.

[Buckshot]

................As was mentioned your Lee mould might not give you a boolit diameter that would work best. Depends on the groove diameter as they can vary quite a bit. The bore diameter on these seem pretty consistent at right around .316". When I mentioned the .329/.330" given by the Lee mould 'might' not work also indicated it 'might' :-) Sticking a boolit of .330" girth into a barrel with about 50% of it's interior going .316" means there will be a lot of lead alloy being moved around. Even a slightly small OD could still shoot well, at least with the lighter loads. I replied to your PM Thursday night. BTW, DID you slug the barrel? Wad-ja get?

..................Buckshot

[stlgunnut]

My uncle slugged it, came out to .330

[dbldblu]

................When I mentioned the .329/.330" given by the Lee mould 'might' not work also indicated it 'might' :-) Sticking a boolit of .330" girth into a barrel with about 50% of it's interior going .316" means there will be a lot of lead alloy being moved around. Even a slightly small OD could still shoot well, at least with the lighter loads.
..................Buckshot

Yes, I have upon occasion had good results with boolits as much as .002" undersize. Such loads are touchy but it can be done. 10 Gr of Unique doesn't seem to care if boolits are a little undersize. I would rather find something that works with equipment that I already have than buy custom molds, sizing dies, etc.

[Tedly]

FWIW I got my Steyr to shoot well with light loads. I used the Graf brass, Remington primers and Lee C329-1R-205 as cast w/home made pan lube and applied Hornady 8mm GC with homemade die. 16.0gr AA5744 shot as well as I could given those sights and that trigger.Group size about the size of an grapefruit at 100 yds...HTH...Tedly...by the way my bore slugs @ .334dia.....

[Harv33]

Where do you find a shell holder for the 8x56R Hungarian ?, Is Hornady the only one? #47. LEE lists the #16 that is the same one used for the 7.62x54 Russ. but it is too small for my cases. Are my cases screwed up?. I'm trying to resize the 8x56RH to 8x58RD for my RB.
Thanks..

[Buckshot]

Where do you find a shell holder for the 8x56R Hungarian ?, Is Hornady the only one? #47. LEE lists the #16 that is the same one used for the 7.62x54 Russ. but it is too small for my cases. Are my cases screwed up?. I'm trying to resize the 8x56RH to 8x58RD for my RB.
Thanks..

...........I had an issue every now and then with cases as over time I'd accumilated Graf headstamped (Privi made), Privi Partisan (NNY), and my original 1938 Nazi. Pretty sure it was the Lee shellholder. I just used my Dremel and gave each side of the shellholder slot a 'touch' with an abrasive wheel and no more problem! Works like a champ.

.................Buckshot

[Bret4207]

I've had excellent results with 13.0 Red Dot behind an NEI 330-240GC that drops about 260 grs. and .334.

[Bret4207]

Dan M

Look here.

http://brp.castpics.net/R1.html
The OldFeller is listed

I missed out on ordering an Oldfeller Frankenstein mold from NOE before they were bought out and discontinued production.

"Error 404, page not found"

[Harv33]

Thank you very much Buckshot !!!, Easy fix :smile:

[Harv33]

I'm trying to find the LOA for the 8x58RD, with a LEE 200 gr.cast bullet ???
Thanks..

[leadman]

Harv33, LOA ??? Do you mean OAL (overall length) ?

If so this will be determined by your throat in the barrel.

[Harv33]

Thanks leadman. Yep, I meant OAL,, I'll make another chamber cast today, I re melted the other one to make a cast for another rifle. I'd forgotten that I can also make the measurement with a cleaning rod and rod stops. Measure from the closed block face then drop a bullet in the throat and measure that..Getting old and fuzzy minded maybe..
Thanks again.