7.35 Carcano load

[jonk]

I've got a .300 diameter mold from CBE Australia, as well as a sizer to take down a .308. I've shot my Italian 38 a fair amount and always get fair results, but would always like to improve them.

I'm curious, what would a good load of Red Dot be? I know to use 11-13 gr for 30 cal rifles etc., like 30-06, 8mm, etc. etc. However the 7.35 is a bit smaller and I'd hesitate to do so.

How about 2400? 4759? 4895?

[Buckshot]

.................I don't know what your CBE boolit weighs, but here's some load data:

M38 7.35 Carcano, as issued. Brass is Graffs, Win primer and Hornady .30cal GC.

Hornady 123gr Jacketed

Surp 4895, 35.7gr, 2044 fps
IMR 3031, 32.9gr, 2361 fps
Surp WC852, 47.0gr, 2367fps
Surp WC846, 36.0gr, 2303fps
IMR 4320, 34.5gr, 2226fps

Lee C308- 150-F wht as cast 148grs. Lube-sized .309" then re-sized to .301" in push thru die.

SR7625, 12.0gr, 1551fps
H 4198, 23.0 + dacron, 2019fps
Red Dot, 8.0gr, 1286fps
IMR 4227, 25.0 + dacron, 2235fps
2400, 17.0 + dacron, 1820fps


Lee C308-160-R wht as cast 153grs. Treated as above.

H-4198, 23.0gr, 2009fps
2400, 17.0gr, 1824fps
SR7625, 12.0gr, 1583fps
Surp 4895 + grex, 32.0gr, 2073fps
IMR 3031, 33.0gr, 2286 fps
SR 4759, 20.0gr, 1924fps
IMR4227, 25.0gr, 2214fps
Unique, 12.0gr, 1615fps

Lyman 311291, wht as cast 171grs. Treated as above:

IMR 4227, 20.0gr, 1810fps.......... 25.0gr, 2189
Surp 4895 + grex, 30.0gr, 1975fps
IMR 4064 + grex, 30.0gr, 2138fps
Surp WC852 + grex, 30.0gr, 1645fps

Hopefully this will give you an idea. While a couple of these showed moderate pressure, there were none here I'd have any problem loading again. Due to the differences in the rifles (and being known for tight chambers) be the smart guy I know you are and back down any load showing 2100 fps or more 3-4grs at least. More if your boolit weight warrants. In my rifle, in order to shoot boolits sized .301" I had to turn the casenecks on the resized Grafs 6.5 Carcano brass. Otherwise loaded rounds would stick.

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

[NickSS]

Thanks for the loads. I have an NEI 140 gr mold and size to 301 and have shot some moderate groups at 100 yards with my model 38 I will try a few of these.