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Thread: makin 10.4x38R?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub Cowboy32's Avatar
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    makin 10.4x38R?

    I just picked up a nice M81 Waffenbink (Vetterli) in 10.4x38. Has anyone used 500 S&W brass to form this caliber? Looking for a direction to start.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    Has this rifle been converted to Centerfire
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  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    I use 8x60R Lebel. Just trim and fireform. And as mentioned, got to convert it to centerfire first.

  4. #4
    Boolit Bub Cowboy32's Avatar
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    Yes, it is being converted now. I have 348 Winchester cases already. I was told that they would work. Would the 8mm Lebel be easier to form?

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    My rifle won't chamber a cartridge formed from 348, it's too tight right by the rim. If yours will then you are good to go. Used to be, the Lebel cases were considerably cheaper as well but I don't know now.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    I use 8m/m LEBEL.

  7. #7
    Boolit Bub Cowboy32's Avatar
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    Thanks Gents. I will get some 8mm Lebel brass.

  8. #8
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    When I got my first Vetterli all I had was .348, I now have three Vetterli's and they work fine in all 3. I wish I had saved the .348 cases as they are hard to get now, Lebel is often in stock and actually a easier conversion.

  9. #9
    Boolit Bub Cowboy32's Avatar
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    I didn't realized 8mm Lebel was easily gotten. I have 50 on the way. I didn't really want to use my .348. brass. What kinda loads would be good to start with?

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    However much FFg that fits is my load. Bullet is a 350 grain slick paper patched to .433". I think it ends up around 50 grains but it's been a while since I loaded any. Super accurate at any rate and hits to the sights out to 700M.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Nobade, with that bullet and that BP charge, do you fire single shot? I can't use the magazine with a larger bullet and BP (I haven't tried smokeless). I form the cases with .348 Win brass, but to get the correct OAL (2.2") for the magazine, I have to use a smaller .44 Mag bullet with BP.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Battis View Post
    Nobade, with that bullet and that BP charge, do you fire single shot? I can't use the magazine with a larger bullet and BP (I haven't tried smokeless). I form the cases with .348 Win brass, but to get the correct OAL (2.2") for the magazine, I have to use a smaller .44 Mag bullet with BP.
    Yes, single shot. The rounds are too long to feed. I slugged the bore, found out what the groove diameter is, and cut the cases off to the right length to accept a bullet that size. I don't know what the cases are supposed to be, 38mm I suppose, I just fit up things for my individual rifle.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy


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    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	best group so far 50 pct.jpg 
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    This is my best group so far with the Lee 300 grain over 18 grains of A2400. I have since started shooting the Accurate 43-335B over 17 grains of 2400. I've also tried some 255 grain bullets all have shot well for me. I haven't had good luck with BP as the bullets I tried it with didn't seem to hold enough lube, I have found H777 to work good as a BP replacement.

    Good Luck!

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Got to like results like that! These rifles can be exceptionally accurate if the bores are still in good shape and they get fed good ammo as you have shown. I have never shot mine with smokeless powder, guess I need to try that some day. I agree 777 should work well.

  15. #15
    Boolit Bub Cowboy32's Avatar
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    I do not cast bullets. Where is a good source for these?

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    For what it's worth, here's a vintage (smokeless) round broken down.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DSCF4565.jpg   DSCF4557.JPG  

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Yep, those heel bullets are really the right way to do it. since there's no parallel in the neck if you want to use smokeless you need some way of stopping the bullet. Accurate Molds has a design very similar to this that is probably the best way to go.

    To answer Cowboy32's post, do you know any bullet casters? If you bought the mold and supplied the lead I'd think you could get somebody to run some. Especially if frosty malt beverages were included.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    I purchased My healed & lubed bullets @ papercartridges.com
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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check