Gehmann-Konstanz 5.6 x 61 vom Hofe

[mike ford]

Kurt,
I suspect you will find the chamber was shortened something less than .083(one thread).I suspect the barrel didn't come up plumb, going some amount past. The shoulders were than set back what ever amount was necessary to bring it back around. This happens when a barrel has sights that need to be at "top dead center". I think it likely went far enough past that it couldn't be taken up unobtrusively with a shim,likely around a quarter of a turn.If you got dies with the rifle, they were likely shortened already. If you didn't get the dies, standard ones can be shortened, without the expense of having custom dies made. Just turn the die into a 7/8-14 threading die(not rethread die)and chuck the threading die in the lathe,lightly, and force it back a few thousanths with the tailstock, and tighten the lathe chuck. The loading die will then "run true". A sharpened carbide cutter will cut the loading die if you cut from center out. It will squall at first, but it will cut it. Those of us that shoot formed cases in this caliber will testify that the dents and cracks are not uncommon.Since the local "mallmart" or "hook and bullet" doesn't carry ammo, if it were my rifle, I would use it with the short chamber. To rechamber it would cost a fair amount of money, and you will still have to handload for it.
Diz,
It is not likely that a lot more than normal would be unsupported, since it seems to have been "set back", rather than shimmed out.
Mike

[Diz]

Mike,

My concern was that they threaded it in to the shoulder then trimmed the chamber end to fit. I have seen some hacked up jobs where they got carried away.

kurtvn,

I agree with Mike about shooting it as is. Pushing the shoulder back a little further is of no consequence once you are set for it. Just anneal well, go VERY slow and you will minimize the dents and get no splits. Reduce the charge by the reduced volume percentage compared to a full length version and you should be OK

Good luck & Thanks, Diz

[sharps4590]

Have to agree with Mike & Diz. But then as it's already a put together rifle cleaning up the chamber won't hurt the value. Being the basic cheapskate that I am I'd alter the sizing die rather than spend a lot of money buying or renting a reamer, if one is even available to rent.

[Diz]

kurtvn,

I found some cases that were reformed from 25-06 that I didn't finish by fire forming. They are annealed and could be OK for you to push the shoulders back a bit further. There may be a few lube dents but no cracks. You are welcome to them gratis if you PM me with your address.

Thanks, Diz

[kurtvn]

Hello all,

Mike Ford, You are spot on regarding the chamber being shortened less than one thread, and the sights are TDC.
Diz, thank you for your more than kind offer, look for a PM. Nothing untoward in the way of case head expansion with the fired case.

Reamers are available as a standard item from http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/reamers.htm ; one is on the way to gunmaker friend Joe.

Had an email from ATF wanting a few more details on my paperwork to import the brass cases & Degol .228s -- seemed like they were working on it at least.

best, kurtvn

[Diz]

kurtvn,

Fifteen reformed vH SE cases are headed your way. Good luck with them and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Thanks, Diz

[wernerhelm]

Good day 5.6 enthusiasts.
I have finally got some pics of mine
Now if only my reloader could get some cases complete......5.6 pic 5.jpg5.6 pic 1.jpg5.6 pic 2.jpg5.6 pic 3.jpg5.6 pic 4.jpg

[mike ford]

wernerhelm,
Tell us about your rifle, send photos of the proofmarks and other marks if you can.
Mike

[wernerhelm]

Good day all.
I have a guy working on the loads for the rifle and he has it so I am unable at this time to disassemble and take pics of the proofs. I will contact him and get the pics up as soon as possible.
from my notes on the rifle Herm. Weihrauch and 5.6 stamped on the side of the barrel


When I purchased the rifle in April of 2013 I sent some info here and Thomas Devers provided the following:Weihrauch (still in business) was then located (1940 when your rifle was made) in Zella-Mehlis.
on the underside of the barrel was stamped 1240

[Diz]

wernerhelm,

That is a sweet looking rifle. I especially like the octagon barrel and claw mounts. Very classy. I found about fifteen reformed 25-06 but not fire formed cases that I will be sending to you.

Thanks, Diz

[Steve Whitley]

Judging by the invoices in surviving files for Weihrauch, a large part of the firm's commercial work at this time was fitting scopes to guns for a wide variety of customers. Very nice rifle!

Steve

[Diz]

wernerhelm, brass went out today. Good luck, Diz

[wernerhelm]

My re-loader and I have been challenged to get brass sized to say the least. Many thanks to Diz for his expertise and advice. I took the rifle over the weekend to my gunsmith and upon further inspection he believed that the locking up of the bolt needed to be addressed. After some bolt work fine tuning it functions properly.
I did take some pics of the proofs.

[Diz]

Wernerhelm,

That's very interesting. Did your 'smith happen to say what he thinks the problem was and what caused it? I have seen some issues but not very often and wonder what happened with your's. Also will it chamber the brass now? That would be a great step forward and thanks for the kind words too.

Diz

[wernerhelm]

My gun smith applied some cold blue to the extractor and on the bolt lug.He would file a little on it a little then try the bolt, re apply cold blue and file a little again. but I really didn't pay close attention to him.
But prior to his filing it it was very stiff.
I haven't tried the brass yet, but I bet they will feed.