How to make 8x56R ammunition

PHN

PHN

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Hi,

I've read that it is possible to re-form Russian 7.62x54R brass to make the old Austro-Hungarian 8x56R brass. Does anyone have any experience of doing this? How difficult to get are the 8x56R dies? Also, is there any source of bullets in .329"? I have read that .323" bullets for 7.92x57 can be used safely, but will attain poor accuracy.

Can 338" bullets be turned down with a lathe to 329" diameter? If I were to try this, I would be concerned about the risk of making a mistake.

I've seen Steyr-Mannlicher M95 carbines for sale which were usually quite cheap and seemed like an interesting type, but the scarcity of ammo has so far discouraged me.

Thanks
 
I have a M95 "Stutzen" and love it.

You can buy boxer-primed 8x56R brass made by Graf from D.J. Friesen Imports dave@bcredneck.com www.bcredneck.com It costs about $50/100

I have used .323 bullets, but now cast .329 using the Lee mold. If you don't cast bullets, Dave Friesen might be able to get the Hornady .329 bullet, and if not perhaps Higginsons could. www.higginsonpowders.com

You might be able to swage .338 bullets to .329, but the "turning them down with a lathe" idea should be abandoned.
 
I too have a M95 Stutzen and will start to cast and load for it in the new year.

As Andy said, LEE makes a mold for the .329 bullet as well as dies.
 
You can buy .329 bullets, from grafs as well, I believe. Certainly DKT made them (I still have some kicking around), as well as a German maker (forget the name), and Woodleigh.

Supposedly Hornady will begin making thier own 56R brass and 329 bullets this year, rather than using the Prvi made brass that Graf pulled it.

Dies can be had from Lee, and you can swage the 338s down to a 329 if you wish.

As for making brass from 54Rs, you would want good brass, I used to use Norma, SAKO etc, but they are hard to impossible to find these days. Hirsh Precision carries Lapua 54R brass though.

As always, I will just add, be cautious in your 56R loads. The bolt has #### for gas venting (always wear glasses when shooting one).
 
You can use 7.62X54R brass, but apparently the neck is too short for the 8X56, Midway USA carries the die. Best bet is to buy from BC Redneck or order directly from Grafs. If you are planning on shooting old mil surps like this, cast bullets are the only cost-effective way to go.
 
FWIW, the Graf and Hornady brass is all over e-bay. I bought 50 rounds of it a few months ago just to check it out - though oddly I don;t even have a rifle in that caliber. Guess that makes me a true Gunnut... :roll:

These guns tend to work best with purpose made brass and cast bullets. I've heard some guys get GREAT accuracy by paper patching .323 8mm bullets up to .328 diameter.

And oh yes... wear glasses and start with low loads and work up to pressure.
 
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