DAn308: The Steyr made 1886 Kropatschek is one of the best if not the best tube magazine military bolt rifle ever made. It was rapidly becoming obsolete when it was manufactured but it is a fine rifle none-the-less. Originally chambered for the longer 8 x 60R cartridge ( using black powder ) the rifle later used the smokeless loaded 8 x56R cartridge-there was no change in the chamber dimensions. Shootable surplus ammunition is problematical, much of what is offered is unrelaible and often has split necks. I have owned three of these weapons and found them to be very accurate rifles with very smooth bolt actions. They were basically made in three lengths; infantry ( with two versions there, one with a handguard, often called a colonial pattern ) and the other without. Then there is the " short rifle " that was apparently issued to treasury troops in Portugal and finally the cavalry carbine. Value is based on condition of course as well as which type is it and do the serial numbers match. Matching numbers are a plus of course. These rifles were withdrawn from service in the early sixties. Ammunition is easily made from Winchester .348 brass run through a full length resizing die and the rim given a chamfer to allow it to properly fit the dished bolt face. The bores actually run about .328-.330 in many of these. I use a conventional round nosed Hornady .323 weighing 170 grains ahead of 22 grains of IMR4759. A nice light and accurate loading that bumps the .323 bullet nicely to take the rifling. Since the rifle only locks the bolt on the bridge/bolt handle root you do have to exercise care in reloading to control pressures but this rifle/short rifle/carbine is well worth the effort. I chamfer my brass on a lathe using a 30 degree cut. My dies are made by CH4D company and cost me $70.00. Other folks have used the 8 x50R Lebel sizing die and just size the neck down on the .348 Winchester. I would suggest annealing the brass before sizing as it sure lasts longer. I paid $325.00 for my rifle which was in nice shape with partially matching numbers. I have seen standard rifles going for about $450.00 to $600.00 USD on average with some exceptions and the bayonets usually going for around $100.00 or more. Steyr made approximately 70,000 of all types of the 1886 Kropatschek based on what information I have been able to gather. Alls I know is that it is hice old surplus rifle to shoot! Best regards, Joe
