Hello new member here and thanks.

[mike ford]

50bigblock,
No, the 8x51 is not the same as the 8x50 Lebel at all. The 8x51 is basically a shortened 8x57, which has a casehead diameter around .468", and is rimless.The Lebel casehead diameter is about .536" and is rimmed.
Mike

[50bigblock]

I have been looking to see what this ammo looks like. Any threads out there. Or is this rifle not worth the effort?.

[Dan Patch]

Assuming your rifle is in sound condition loading for it isn't a difficult proposition with proper dies. Regular 8 x 57 cases and several others having similar basic dimensions can serve as the donor brass to resize. It's hard to speak of correct bullets for a rifle not in hand, but .32 Winchester Special might be acceptable; otherwise there are custom .318 diameter bullets available. The rifle would be to some shooters an interesting caliber built on an interesting action. Dan

[mike ford]

50bigblock,
As Axel said and Dan referred to, you will likely be able to use 308 Win. cases. In dealing with metric and wildcat cartridges, it is not often we have a donor case that fits as well as the 308. If you don't have a 308, I suggest you borrow a fired case from one of your friends and see if it chambers. If it does, you could just directly fireform once fired cases to your rifle. If it won't quite chamber, try an unfired or FL sized case. If they will chamber, even with effort, then you can fireform them. If they still won't chamber, the body length may be too long, or the shoulder diameter may be too large. If so, respond back and some of us will make other suggestions.
Mike

[Axel E]

Sorry, Mike, but it will not be as easy. The 8x51 Mauser kurz has about the same overall length as the .308 Win, but a shorter body length combined with a smaller diameter at shoulder.
The dimensions compared, 8x51 / .308:
Length to shoulder: 1.50 / 1.56"
shoulder diameter: .439 / .454"
length to neck: 1.66 / 1.71"
I would try to get a cheap second hand 8x57 aka 8mm Mauser, I or IS, FL sizing die, shorten it by grinding and chamfer, until the bolt closes on the resized case. Case length of the resized case must not exceed 2.0". After the first firing the FL die may be backed off the shellholder about 1 turn for necksizing. An 8x57 seating die may work as is or may be shortened slightly.

[mike ford]

50bigblock,
I suspected conditions that Axel described might exist, that's the reason I suggested responding back. In cases like this, I often use a 300 Sav. file/trim die. This would shorten the body, but would leave the shoulder diameter too large, still. I believe Axel's suggestion to shorten 8x57 dies is best. In addition to shortening the sizing die, the seating die can also be shortened and the cartridges can be loaded with them, saving the cost of custom made dies. I often shorten dies and find that they can be shortened in a lathe, with a sharp carbide cutting tool. Cut from the center out, it will squeal at first, but will work with light cuts. The same tool will serve to chamfer the sharp inside corner. You may have to use a smaller dia. expander button.
Mike

[Diz]

50bigblock,

Lots of ways to skin an cat but you are lucky that the .308 is a perfect candidate for the 8 x 51 as Mike mentioned. CH4D most likely has the dies on the shelf and the only thing you would need is to trim to length, expand the necks to the right size and full length size the case in the 8 x 51 dies. This is pretty easy to do and would get you shooting in no time.

Good luck, Diz

[50bigblock]

Mike Diz Axle..can't thank you enough for the information. It sounds like for me to fire this gun I'm gonna have too spend some big money. Meaning I don't have the tooling to do this. I purchased this rifle and thought it was an investment. Sounds like I've got a wall hanger. Ha ha maybe I'll get lucky and find some ammo at a gun show. If this gun has any value you would think there would be some out there. Good luck right!!.

[Diz]

50bigblock,

Your rifle certainly has value and it is worth what ever you say it is. I am of the belief that if it's in shoot-able condition then it should be shot and will do a lot to get one working. I am guessing that you don't hand load yourself but hopefully you have a friend who does. Most guys that hand load have all the stuff necessary already and would be happy to help on a project like this. All you really need is brass, bullets, powder, primers and a set of dies. 308 brass is pretty cheap and available. Bullets can be had mail order very reasonably and dies should be about fifty bucks or less. All that plus powder and primers might push you close to a hundred and fifty bucks but it would allow you to shoot it and enjoy it. Plus you can use that as a bargaining point if you ever want to sell it. I don't want to tell you what to do but think about it. We are all here to help if you want to do it.

Thanks, Diz

Thanks, Diz