8mm lebel ID?

[hacer2]

well went to the fredericton gun show this morning and for the first time in my short life i have found some 8mm lebel ammo. so i would just like some info on the ammo

in case its not clear on the picture

the back reads (SF) (I) (1) (48)

 

[37patt]

SF is the cartridge manufacturer
I is the metal supplier
1 is the month of manufacture
48 is the year of manufacture
A little research should provide you with the actual companies that provided the metal and finished off the manufacture of the cartridge.
Best of luck.

 

[smellie]

There were several approved loadings for the 8x50R Lebel cartridge, identifiable by the bullets.

This is "Balle N", approved in the 1930s and the final general-issue version of the round.

Pointed, jacketed boat-tailed bullet.

Recoil is plain and fancy murder.

This is collecting ammo for a lot of reasons, including the facts that (1) it is rare and expensive and (2) it had a horrid rate of misfires, hangfires, and duds.

For range ammo, best bet is to get some of that Partizan brass from Trade-Ex and handload. BTW, Partizan brass does not have the pronounced rim bevel and so might not like every rifle. It didn't like my Berthier until it met up with my lathe for a couple of seconds apiece; conversion is quick and easy. Also, careful with the Partizan brass in Lebel rifles with the tube magazines; it does not have the deep bullet groove surrounding the primer pocket. Nasties are possible..... unless you have a lathe or access to one.

Hope this helps.
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