New Member. Help With Combination Over Under Shotgun Rifle

[mike ford]

Billk,
Thanks for the kind words. I also enjoyed his article, but don't know if he visits the forum, in the beginning we were instructed to use our "real name", but now they seem to be using screen names/handles. I can't tell now, who is on the forum. If he sees his name, maybe he will pipe in. He is a member of the GGCA; if you are a member, you could contact him through them. If you are not a member, you should join. As a member of the Association, you would be entitled to receive the association's two publications ( WAIDMANNSHEIL, and DER WAFFENSCHMEID ) and other benefits such as a good discount in the book store; not to mention the chance to be associated with a fine organization.
Mike

[BillK]

Good afternoon gentlemen. I have been searching for 8X58R Sauer ammo or empty brass cases without any luck. It seems everything is in back order with no time estimate. I was wondering if any of you who shoot this cartridge might be kind enough to send me an empty case to confirm that this is in fact my gun's chambering before I place a back order. I promise to return the empty case. Thank you in advance. BillK

[mike ford]

BillK,
I believe Buffalo Arms, has original length 38-55 cases from Starline, and their own 38-55, 2.245"( which I believe they "redraw" from other cases)cases. Either of these would work, the 2.245" case would cost a little bit more, but is very close to the correct length. The last time I looked( recently), they had both in stock. I just checked again, the orig. length cases(2.125") are $0.69, the 2.245" basic cases are $1.79, and they have a 2.5" long 38-55 case made from 303 British cases, for $3.03. All are in "ample supply".
Mike

[BillK]

Thank you Mike. For someone who has never reloaded before and does not have any reloading presses/supplies, what are the tools I would need in order to be able to make 8x58R Sauer cases from the 38-55 you suggested above? Also, Buffalo arms lists 5 .318 diameter bullets. Which one should I start experimenting with?
BillK

[Nathaniel Myers]

My recommendation to you would be to hire or pay an experienced loader to make the brass for you. Possibly pay them to work up a load for you to duplicate. Or just pay them to load the ammo all together. Unless reloading is an adventure you want to start on. Chances are you will be hard pressed to "justify" purchasing all the equipment to reload for how much you will likely shoot. But again, it can be fun, and if you want to do it for the enjoyment, it can be very rewarding.

I am personally fond of the 200gr Woodleighs, but I have been loading 8x57. I have not hunted anything with them as yet. They have been extremely consistent, and are obviously well made.

For your first endeavor into reloading I would recommend buying the cheapest bullets you can find. You will likely loose a few along the way.

[mike ford]

BillK,
If you want to load them, yourself, and don't have other dies, you might as well buy the correct dies/shellholder, etc. To help you out, If you send them to me, I could run the cases through my 32-40 file/trim die. Then, you should be able to fireform them in your rifle. The trouble with depending on the loading dies to form the cases, is they still may not fit your chamber. If you start with cases formed to your chamber, you shouldn't have that problem. Cases, I run through my die, still may need work on the rims. You would need someone with a lathe to do that. If you decide to accept Nathaniel's advice and buy ammo, you need to find out the price(incl. shipping) before obligating yourself. I have seen similar ammo listed for $130/20, w/o shipping. And you should be sure to have an understanding concerning what will happen if it doesn't chamber in your rifle. I checked at Buffalo Arms site; they show 8x58 Sauer and Son ammo, that may fit your rifle, for $74/20. It is listed as temporarily unavailable- backorder OK.
Mike

[Diz]

Billk,

Both Nathaniel and Mike offer excellent advice but I thought I would throw in my two cents.

Reloading can open a whole world of possibilities and I assume you have other guns that could also benefit by reloading. My suggestion would be that you find someone familiar with reloading to help you and go to a local gun show and by used equipment. It is generally much cheaper than new and I have never seen a worn out loading press. A good scale can be checked very easily by setting it to zero and if it balances will usually be very accurate. You may get lucky and find dies you can use but odd ones can be difficult. You really don’t need a lot of equipment to get started but it gets addictive and you can acquire a lot of “stuff” for this hobby.

I personally will not shoot someone else’s reloads but that’s just me. For me it’s not only the personal satisfaction of being able to shoot some very unusual cartridges and keep the old guns working but when someone at the range asks "where do you get ammo for that old gun?", you can say “I make it”.

I think people on this forum would be more than happy to help.

Diz

[Nathaniel Myers]

Both Mike and Diz offer excellent recommendations. If you want to load yourself it is very gratifying. I started reloading at a young age after my grandfather gave me his reloading equipment. It was all older Herters equipment. Not very accurate, not very fast, but it served the purpose of learning before buying better equipment. And learn I did.

My point was only if you did not want to purchase the equipment, or invest your time, there are many small custom shops that are capable of loading the ammo necessary specific for your rifle. When I had my 07 manufacturing license I would custom load ammo every once in awhile for customers. Usually after barreling a rifle I would shoot the rifle, sometimes working up a load.

I have two friends who still retain there manufacturer licenses that just about every rifle in thier shop goes out the door with a custom load tailored to the customers needs and specifications. My point was only that you could hire such a firm to make the ammo specifically for your gun. If I still had my 07 I would offer. Of course, normal people can do this with out any issue.

If I were you, and it was my gun, I would buy a used press, some used dies, a pile of brass and bullets and start experimenting!

[BillK]

Good evening members. I am assebling my reloading tools for this endeavor. So far i have:
50 cases of new empty Norma 9.3x72R
.318" Diameter 200 Grain SP Jacketed Spitzer Bullets Bag of 100 from Buffalo Arms
8X58R Sauer Die Set, 4D
I still need to get powder, primers and a press (I am thinking of getting an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Reloading Press)

How can you advise me on forming 8x58R Sauer cases from the Norma 9.3x72R cases? What kind of primers and powder do you suggest I start with in developing loads?
Thank you in advance for your help on my project. BillK

[mike ford]

BillK,
You should use large rifle primers( Mag. not necessary) and some medium burning powder, according to what ever loading data you intend to use. As far as making cases from 9.3x72R, you should reduce them in diameter and length to fit into your chamber and fireform to your chamber. The initial fireforming load would be some fast burning powder, a 1/4 sheet of TP tamped over it, fill the case with something like grits, corn meal, polishing media, or cream of wheat. Plug the case with more TP or wax or any thing to keep the filler in. Do not use a bullet. Check my reply above, I will still run the cases through mu 32-40 file trim die, if you can't get them small enough with the 8x58R FL sizing die (trim to length first, and again after sizing). I have an old RCBS Rock Chucker press, it's great. You will need the power to form the cases. BTW, don't forget to lube the cases and remove the whole expander stem from the sizing die. If you stick a case, you can get it out with a rod through the die into the case ,while lowering the ram at the same time. You will need a way to weigh the powder, trim the cases, and lube them. LEE has pretty good economical equipment ( stay with the RCBS press, though). If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Mike