8X56R Reloading Bummer

shop tom · 04-25-2009, 10:49 AM

I'm pretty sure there is a company in California that supplies BA with the .330" bullets. They have no website and I doubt if they will sell to the general public.

tom

gandog56 · 05-02-2009, 02:14 PM

Well that's no help!

shop tom · 05-05-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

Well that's no help!

Mebbe this will help:

Schroeder Bullets
1421 Thermal Ave, San Diego, CA 92154-2834
Contact Phone: (619) 423-8124
URL (web address): None
Business Category: Mfg Small Arms Ammunition in San Diego, CA
Industry (SIC): Small Arms Ammunition

tom

gandog56 · 05-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Well, got 100 150 grain SP's from Buffalo Arms. Now I'll have to shoot some of my regular 205 grainers as I have no empty cases left.

matt760 · 08-01-2009, 02:00 AM

I've been using 225gr Hornady Interlock SP .338 bullets that I ran through a Lee sizer die. I sized them down to .329. They work just fine. And I believe they are a little bit cheaper than the .330s that Grafs sells. But I also have 15 bucks in the sizer die.
I've been thinking about attempting casting for this caliber. Lee makes a .329 205gr mold.

shop tom · 08-23-2009, 12:00 PM

One thing I have noticed with the 150 gr. bullets from Buffalo is that the lead tip seems to be mushed somewhat. I use my finger nail to peel off the excess so the bullet tip is uniform.

tom

TGriffey · 10-25-2009, 12:49 AM

As a long time hand loader, the issues of reloading most of these old
obsolete surplus rifles are many.
1. Finding suitable components that are available and affordable.
2. Finding loaded surplus ammo that can be reloaded, are just a couple.
Corrosive, or Berdan primed ammo create a real problem for the hand loader. Not to mention that steel cased or red brass alloys
that are used in most surplus ammo are not re-loadable. Steel
cannot be re-sized, and is far too brittle anyway. A red brass or
lesser grade alloy of brass, is also too brittle. Case mouths
commonly split during sizing on this type of brass, or will almost
always split after firing.
Reloading once fired brass that was originally loaded with
corrosive elements, is a bad idea. Corrosive elements embed in the
walls of the fired case, and can compromise the strength of the brass
causing case head separations. Conclusion: When you run out of ammo,
"Hang it over the fireplace as an historical conversation piece." Good Luck.

frenchy · 10-25-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGriffey

As a long time hand loader, the issues of reloading most of these old
obsolete surplus rifles are many.
1. Finding suitable components that are available and affordable.
2. Finding loaded surplus ammo that can be reloaded, are just a couple.
Corrosive, or Berdan primed ammo create a real problem for the hand loader. Not to mention that steel cased or red brass alloys
that are used in most surplus ammo are not re-loadable. Steel
cannot be re-sized, and is far too brittle anyway. A red brass or
lesser grade alloy of brass, is also too brittle. Case mouths
commonly split during sizing on this type of brass, or will almost
always split after firing.
Reloading once fired brass that was originally loaded with
corrosive elements, is a bad idea. Corrosive elements embed in the
walls of the fired case, and can compromise the strength of the brass
causing case head separations. Conclusion: When you run out of ammo,
"Hang it over the fireplace as an historical conversation piece." Good Luck.

Hopefully the renewed interest in these fine pieces of history will offset many of these problems, but then again I'm an optimist!
frenchy

TGriffey · 10-25-2009, 01:22 AM

Just looked at 8x56r ammo on J&G's website. Corrosive non-reloadable at
$224.75 for 250., less shipping. Over a dollar a shot! Very steep.

gandog56 · 10-25-2009, 01:24 AM

Which is why I reload 'em!

Big Dog · 10-25-2009, 08:11 AM

Ditto! I have finally cranked out my first twenty 8X56 loads, but haven't had the chance to drop by the range yet. First batch on new brass will probably be little cheaper than surplus, but then on subsequent loadings, brass cost is zero - gets much cheaper, and performance will likely be far better.
Our old milsurp rifles aren't 'target rifles', but they do respond very well to handloading.

shop tom · 10-25-2009, 06:02 PM

I love reloading for the old milsurps. They can be finicky, though. I can't get my 8x56r to shoot worth a dang with the 150 Buffalo bullets. I have a feeling that the rifling twist was optimized for the 205 gr bullets. I'll try some more handloads with the heavier bullets and see how they compare.

I also handload for the 7.62x54r and 8x57 JS. As has been said, successive reloads brings the cost down dramatically from buying new (other than milsurp) and I have had quite good results.

Next, I'm looking to start with 7x57 Mauser and 7.35mm Carcano (as well start reloading .30-30 Winchester again. The price at K-Mart was 17+ bucks for a box of Winchester-Western 150 and 170 cartridges.........).

tom

gandog56 · 11-07-2009, 05:21 PM

Bummer, I have yet to try my 150 grain loads. And the 205 grain ones are WAY accurate!

I only tried the lighter ones once because I didn't want to be tied down to only one source for the bullets.

shop tom · 11-07-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

Bummer, I have yet to try my 150 grain loads. And the 205 grain ones are WAY accurate!

I only tried the lighter ones once because I didn't want to be tied down to only one source for the bullets.

Have you any good recipes for the 205gr. bullets and IMR4895?

tom

gandog56 · 11-12-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shop tom

Have you any good recipes for the 205gr. bullets and IMR4895?

tom

Welllllll, I'm down in Alabama visiting Mom, and my notes are back up in Illinois.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 11-12-2009, 03:53 PM

Just buy about a million of them like me and Mooseman and stick em under your bed. There ya go problem solved. Just send money to me for a tip. A 50 would work.

shop tom · 11-13-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

Welllllll, I'm down in Alabama visiting Mom, and my notes are back up in Illinois.

Your mother does not reload?

How sad!

tom

05-02-2009, 02:14 PM	#22
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,792	Well that's no help! __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

05-10-2009, 08:14 PM	#24
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,792	Well, got 100 150 grain SP's from Buffalo Arms. Now I'll have to shoot some of my regular 205 grainers as I have no empty cases left. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

10-25-2009, 12:49 AM	#27
TGriffey Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Baxter, Kentucky Posts: 3	TGriffey As a long time hand loader, the issues of reloading most of these old obsolete surplus rifles are many. 1. Finding suitable components that are available and affordable. 2. Finding loaded surplus ammo that can be reloaded, are just a couple. Corrosive, or Berdan primed ammo create a real problem for the hand loader. Not to mention that steel cased or red brass alloys that are used in most surplus ammo are not re-loadable. Steel cannot be re-sized, and is far too brittle anyway. A red brass or lesser grade alloy of brass, is also too brittle. Case mouths commonly split during sizing on this type of brass, or will almost always split after firing. Reloading once fired brass that was originally loaded with corrosive elements, is a bad idea. Corrosive elements embed in the walls of the fired case, and can compromise the strength of the brass causing case head separations. Conclusion: When you run out of ammo, "Hang it over the fireplace as an historical conversation piece." Good Luck. Last edited by TGriffey; 10-25-2009 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Incomplete

10-25-2009, 01:22 AM	#29
TGriffey Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Baxter, Kentucky Posts: 3	Just looked at 8x56r ammo on J&G's website. Corrosive non-reloadable at $224.75 for 250., less shipping. Over a dollar a shot! Very steep. Last edited by TGriffey; 10-25-2009 at 01:35 AM. Reason: Incomplete

10-25-2009, 01:24 AM	#30
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,792	Which is why I reload 'em! __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

04-25-2009, 10:49 AM	#21
shop tom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeaster Lower Michigan Posts: 486	I'm pretty sure there is a company in California that supplies BA with the .330" bullets. They have no website and I doubt if they will sell to the general public. tom

08-01-2009, 02:00 AM	#25
matt760 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 805	I've been using 225gr Hornady Interlock SP .338 bullets that I ran through a Lee sizer die. I sized them down to .329. They work just fine. And I believe they are a little bit cheaper than the .330s that Grafs sells. But I also have 15 bucks in the sizer die. I've been thinking about attempting casting for this caliber. Lee makes a .329 205gr mold.

08-23-2009, 12:00 PM	#26
shop tom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeaster Lower Michigan Posts: 486	One thing I have noticed with the 150 gr. bullets from Buffalo is that the lead tip seems to be mushed somewhat. I use my finger nail to peel off the excess so the bullet tip is uniform. tom

10-25-2009, 08:11 AM	#31
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 12,912	Ditto! I have finally cranked out my first twenty 8X56 loads, but haven't had the chance to drop by the range yet. First batch on new brass will probably be little cheaper than surplus, but then on subsequent loadings, brass cost is zero - gets much cheaper, and performance will likely be far better. Our old milsurp rifles aren't 'target rifles', but they do respond very well to handloading. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

10-25-2009, 06:02 PM	#32
shop tom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeaster Lower Michigan Posts: 486	I love reloading for the old milsurps. They can be finicky, though. I can't get my 8x56r to shoot worth a dang with the 150 Buffalo bullets. I have a feeling that the rifling twist was optimized for the 205 gr bullets. I'll try some more handloads with the heavier bullets and see how they compare. I also handload for the 7.62x54r and 8x57 JS. As has been said, successive reloads brings the cost down dramatically from buying new (other than milsurp) and I have had quite good results. Next, I'm looking to start with 7x57 Mauser and 7.35mm Carcano (as well start reloading .30-30 Winchester again. The price at K-Mart was 17+ bucks for a box of Winchester-Western 150 and 170 cartridges.........). tom

11-07-2009, 05:21 PM	#33
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,792	Bummer, I have yet to try my 150 grain loads. And the 205 grain ones are WAY accurate! I only tried the lighter ones once because I didn't want to be tied down to only one source for the bullets. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

11-12-2009, 03:53 PM	#36
Capt'n Mil Coll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 3,389 Images: 45	Just buy about a million of them like me and Mooseman and stick em under your bed. There ya go problem solved. Just send money to me for a tip. A 50 would work. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!