8x58 R for rolling block loads

I've been shooting a rebarreled 45 - 70 Swedish rolling block for over 30yrs, it's a great rifle. Best information I've found is that you can cautiously use loads in the low half of the '86 Winchester data. It will group sub moa for 5 shots at 100yds with good aperture sights and soft cast bullets. More trouble with insufficient pressure to seal the case mouths than too much pressure.
Grouch
 
I guess a 50-70 would work too? In order to re-barrel they have an odd square thread do they not ?Harold
 
With all of the people interested, I decided to do a few test loads.
For each I loaded 5 rounds, same overall length, used reformed brass. It was 45/90.

It was -22C at the range today and sunny. No wind.

From the bench, I fired each set, at 50 yards, over a chrony.
I have a picture of the target for those interested. Send a PM with an email address and I will forward it.

All groups were within hunting tolerances. Minute of Fist. I can improve on that but cold hands made me move a little faster to get it done.

NOTE: I DO NOT REPRESENT THESE AS SAFE LOADS FOR YOUR GUNS. I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGES DONE IF YOU USE THESE LOADS. THESE ARE MY RESULTS BASED ON MY RELOADING TECHNIQUES AND MY EQUIPMENT. YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY.

Sorry but the disclaimer is necessary.

I started with the Hogdon websites load data for 30-40 Krag for a 200 gr projectile. I choose the bottom end of the range offered and used a 195 Hornady Jacketed softpoint projectile.

12 gr Unique (really soft, plinking load)
1071, 1074, 940, 1009, 984

13 gr Unique (soft, plinking load)
1100, 1105, 668, 1118, 667 (not sure what happened with the 2 around 650)

30 gr H322 (No recoil but it moved up several inches on the target)
1581, 1565, 1565, 1585 (Chrony failed to record one shot)

30 gr H335 (No recoil but it moved up several inches on the target)
1450, 1539, 1560, 1499 (Chrony failed again, must be the batter) (1499 was a round that was split)

42 gr H4350 (I think upping this one may produce good results)
1666, 1669, 1606, 1661, 1521

My goal is a 195 gr round that is about 2000 fps. I think that should be capable within the 28K psi limit recommended by the Dutchman.
 
Recently started loading this round for my roller. Used 45/90 brass as well. As always managed to squash a couple of casses during forming. Used as gas checked .330 dia. 210 gr. Cast bullet backed with 13.5 gr of green dot. Achieved around 1400 fps. With excellent accuracy. I copied this load off of the cast boolitt site. I don't think I will try any different loads as this one worked so well.
 
I have tested my m1967/89 Huskvarna RB with the following (actually posted this a couple of years ago):
PRVI 8x56RS brass, fire formed and re-fired several times. Annealed after every third firing
Lee-mold cast 205gr bullets with gas-checks (lead is BH 16 or so), Lee-sized to .327"
CH4D 8x58RD dies, .327" expander ball
Lee case-mouth expander die
Winchester Large Rifle primers.
No crimp.
COAL is 2.900". This comes nowhere near the lands - with my rifle that would require a bullet around 2" long!

The best results so far were with SR4759 - 24gr: m.v. 1693fps s.d. 20 e.s. 50

Second place: H4198 - 24gr: m.v.1511fps s.d. 44 e.s. 123

Unique gave inconsistent MV's and I dropped it. Unfortunately SR4759 is no longer being manufactured.

I believe that the pressures are probably a bit too LOW, since the brass was not sealing well.

If I ever get some time, I want to test some increased loads with H4198 up to 30gr. It would develop higher and more consistent pressures.
 
Hey Everyone, I'm hoping to reinvigorate this thread. I bought a very nice 1874/1891 Carl Gustav RB last winter and over the last few months I've poured over the gun along with tons of online info, printed info, etc. I've assembled tools (e.g. RCBS dies) and am in the process of ordering up components (settled on 8x56R brass). Tomorrow I'm slugging my barrel but I've already ordered up a middle of the road cast bullet and interestingly it's 195 grains. I'd be interested in anyone's updates, particularly tbrwlf's to see how things are progressing.
 
Last edited:
Andy said:
Here's an old thread I started on "castboolits" that might be worthwhile both for loads and brass options:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?22807-Fun-with-the-8x58R-in-a-Swedish-RB&
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy. I think I tripped over that one with a Google search and it pretty much set me on the path that I'm taking with my first reloads: 8x56R for my brass. I've found myself landing on that site quite often over the last couple of years so I finally got off the pot and registered.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom