8mm Lebel Fiocchi ammo

[backpacker336]

I have owned two 1892 Revolvers that I have shot hundreds of Fiocchi ammo in. I just recently picked up a chrono for reloading so I figured I would share some info on this factory ammo. The ammo I am using was purchased in the last couple of years. I have shot aprox 300 rounds with no squibs. I spoke to someone at Fiocchi and they have apparently resolved this issue. I am still very cautious when using it though.

The Fiocchi jacketed bullets size at .318 compared to the Graf 8mm Lebel copper plated bullets that size around .329. I am assuming the smaller Fiocchi bullets are to be on the safe side with the jacketed bullets and the pressure they could create. Accuracy with the Fiocchi performed decently in my good condition revolver, groups were around 6-7" at 10 yards. When I used my second revolver accuracy went down a lot, I noticed a lot of key holing and my groups were around 15". I am assuming this has to do with the smaller bullet size and more worn barrel?

Fiocchi advertised this ammo at 880 FPS, this ammo came out drastically under those numbers. Most reloading information I have seen on CGN is between 700-800 fps, so the lower results I had appear on the safe side.
Garmin Chrono Report
28 Shots
min 528 fps
avg 610 fps
max 694 fps
AVG KE 92.0 FT-LBS

Currently working on reloading the old brass and loading up some of my own with titegroup or hp-38, but loading data has been hard to find with these powders. Also the Hornady dies I bought for this cartridge size the brass even smaller then the factory ammo, so it leaves a hump at the back of the case.

 

[Moe]

I worked out a good load with Titegroup of 3.4gr, 100gr Grafs, 809fps ave, 770fps min, 851fps max. Done with my Garmin.

Cheers
Moe

 

[backpacker336]

Thanks for the info. I was gong to use those Graf bullets but they are oversize for my gun. Waiting for my overpriced mold to come in the mail ... wish you could just rent one!

 

[Moe]

Oh and that hump is there on the brass with my Hornady dies too. there's nothing you can do with that. Definitely looks ugly with that bulge at the base and the area surrounding the bullet but it works well for the 1000+ rounds I drove through my old girl. It does not have any effect on anything. I was just using 9mm shell plates on the press and thought that was the culprit so picked up a proper #48 Hornady and there was no change. You will find that regardless what powder and load I use or what I've done for sizing etc, that the brass will get an occasional split down the side. The brass is thin walled like old cases were and has a lifespan. Don't throw out any brass at a certain count as the resulting split is not dangerous at these low pressures just toss them when they split. You will know right away if one splits from a bit of resistance on extraction.

Cheers
Moe

 

[Moe]

Thanks for the info. I was gong to use those Graf bullets but they are oversize for my gun. Waiting for my overpriced mold to come in the mail ... wish you could just rent one!

My barrel is .327 and I run the Grafs at .329 with no issues. No squbs yet but I don't load light either.

Moe

 

[backpacker336]

I measured the brass after resizing in the hornady die and the neck comes out at .340, according to this book that is undersize. Case does seem a bit loose in the chamber as well, don't see many other options though. This might be why you are getting split cases.

 

[Moe]

Could be but it's what the resizing die gives me. Same results you're having. If I don't run the die down as far I get even wonkier results so I just keep going with my skinny in the middle odd looking reloads. I don't lose a lot of brass to splitting. I bought 200rds of Fiocchi about 5 years ago and been using the brass ever since. Probably spit about 10 so far after shooting about 1000 reloads. It's not that bad. Never tried reforming 32-20 but if one did it might have thicker brass and survive longer. I don't know, Just speculating. I'm OK with one spitting every other box I shoot.

Cheers
Moe

 

[gewehr76]

I find that 100gr and even 111gr bullets are too light for these revolvers. I could not get any decent groups with 100gr. I have tried 122gr and heavier longer bullets and they group much better. Could it be discarded 8mm Rifle barrels they used for the rifling, but my revolver does not like light bullets

 

[Bulldog667]

I shot a few boxes of those purchased in 2022 from a lebel . from my experience those same rounds are quite weak, confirmed by your chrono. A round I dug out of a phone book did have rifle engagement visible on the slug but it was mostly intact, very low penetration.

 

[lbron11]

I use highwood casting 110gr .327 with 3.0gr HP38 which give me around 650fps. I get really good accuracy out it as well.