7.62x25mm from .223 loads

One other thing that you might have to consider when using the .223 cases is the depth of the extractor goove in the case--back in the "old days" when we had to make .30 mauser brass this way you sometimes had to dress down the extractor hook or it would lead to premature failure of the extractor--caused by too much flexing because the extractor groove in the case was too shallow. This may or may not be an issue with these pistols but it was a pain in the ass with the c-96 Mauser.

Never thought about that- thanks for mentioning it.


-zip
 
@ Zippy:
The belling step is actually flaring the open end of the neck using the expander die. Ignoring the die set instructions, I put a case in the shellholder, bring it all the way up, then screw in the expander die until it just touches the case. From there it's all touch and go. I'll screw in the expander a 1/4 turn or so, press the case and test fit a bullet by hand. I'll keep going until I am happy with the initial seating...usually just enough to let the bullet sit squarely inside the neck. I've edited my post and added a couple more pictures to reflect this step.

I'm pretty sure I'll be using the Berry's too...sadly I have about 300 of the Hornady SPRN bullets to use up somehow....

Oh- wasn't familiar with the term but I had definitely expanded the case mouths. Also Mobular, a Lee factory crimp die may help smooth corners and
those 86 grain Hornady bullets may feed better as a result. I started this project before I had one and definitely see a difference now that I have one.

-zip
 
What does "dressing down the extractor hook" mean? sorry if this is an idiot question, but that seems kind of important if it can avoid undue damage to the gun.
 
Well, I finally got out to try some new powder loads for the converted brass. My old attempt was 4gr of 231 with an 86gr Hornady SPRN. I found this bullet to hang up on the feed ramp all the time and even when hand fed, the load would not cycle the action. So, now I was out to find a better bullet and powder combination. On Zippy's recommendation, I went with a jacketed Hornady 110gr .30 cal rifle bullet. 4.5 gr of 231 and the deeper seating of the longer bullet should increase pressures to a point where the results should be acceptable. Sure enough, the new loads fed nicely and the action worked well! I had a few more test loads of 4.7 and 4.9 gr and they all worked well with no ill effect. All cases fire-formed well too. So, now without a chrony, I will have to work out a good all around load for everyday use.
 
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Just converted my first .223 case to .30 Mauser but haven't tried chambering the dummy round yet. Using Lee 311-093-1R boolits I cast that weigh in at 88gr using wheel weights and sized to .309" for my C-96. After seating the neck diameter is .336" a tad more than the recommended .333 but I havent tried neck turning/drilling out yet.
 
Just converted my first .223 case to .30 Mauser but haven't tried chambering the dummy round yet. Using Lee 311-093-1R boolits I cast that weigh in at 88gr using wheel weights and sized to .309" for my C-96. After seating the neck diameter is .336" a tad more than the recommended .333 but I havent tried neck turning/drilling out yet.



Ket us know how it works out. I don't know of anyone with a C-96
so I'm kinda fired up.
 
The dummy round made from .223 chambers and extracts fine. Hopefully will try shooting it and my real .30 Mauser brass cast boolit reloads this week and will report.
 
Hey Zip or Mobular
What would be the best length to cut the .223 brass down to with out having too much trimming after resizing? I'm playing on my lathe.
Regards, Henry


Hi Henry. It depends on what bullet you want to use. The 85 grain SPRN bullets are .500 long while the plated 110 grain bullets are .650 long. Maybe a .980 - 1.000 case length just to cover all the bases.


zip
 
.98 was the after trimming length that I went for. The initial cutting was done manually, with a small tubing cutter, and I cut them at about an inch and an 1/8 to allow enough for the necking stage. All my test brass came out with more than enough left to trim and chamfer.
After that I have loaded both types of bullets that Zip has listed to the factory length to 1.3 inches or 34mm without any adverse effects.

In time, I will refine the initial cutting process and make that cut closer for what is required for the finished length. Once I do that, I'll post the results.
 
.98 was the after trimming length that I went for. The initial cutting was done manually, with a small tubing cutter, and I cut them at about an inch and an 1/8 to allow enough for the necking stage. All my test brass came out with more than enough left to trim and chamfer.
After that I have loaded both types of bullets that Zip has listed to the factory length to 1.3 inches or 34mm without any adverse effects.

In time, I will refine the initial cutting process and make that cut closer for what is required for the finished length. Once I do that, I'll post the results.


Yeah, .980 is a good length. About .020 longer than the brand new Starline brass- gives us something to work with when forming.
 
Oops, then I made them too short. I measured the Starline case Mobular gave me at .960. Then I cut some at .970 so only 10 thou had to be trimmed. I guess that wa too short. I'll cut some at .980 next time I feel like playing.
Regards, Henry
 
Oops, then I made them too short. I measured the Starline case Mobular gave me at .960. Then I cut some at .970 so only 10 thou had to be trimmed. I guess that wa too short. I'll cut some at .980 next time I feel like playing.
Regards, Henry

That .970 length may be ok- don't throw them out. Mobs or I could probably
attempt to form them. Btw: isn't it past your bedtime?! :p

zipper
 
Here is what I found that Starline Brass said
Quote
7.62x25 vs 30 Mauser - These cases are very similar, except for the difference in length. The 7.62x25 is shorter than the 30 Mauser, due to higher operating pressures. If the 30 Mauser cases are fired at hotter 7.62x25 loads in the CZ-52, it will tear the neck off some cases.

* 30 Mauser O.A.L. = .980 to .985
* 7.62x25 O.A.L. = .959 to .962
Regards, Henry
 
update

Tokammonodrill.jpg

On Henry N's suggestion I tried some of his cut .223 blanks in my Tokarev pistol WITHOUT drilling the case to thin the necks out. Made 4 dummy rounds up (no powder or primer) and after crimping they all fed fine, in MY pistol. Labelled sizes are case length after forming- all required no trimming, only a chamfer inside and outside of the case neck.

Case overall lengths are:
.308 ( 1.310 + 1.351 )
.310 ( 1.363 + 1.373 )

I found that after forming, the .223 cases stretched about 7-8 thou, and
after crimping the overall length changed a bit too, a few thou shorter or
longer depending on what bullet I used. May have to mess around with the crimp a bit.
 
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