Re-Chambered Lebels?

skirsons

skirsons

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I've always thought French rifles were quite beautiful but I've never bought one because the ammunition is obsolete and not sold anymore. I am not into reloading and I'm afraid I never will be, so I was wondering if anyone ever had a Lebel re-chambered to a popular ammunition? Has this ever been done?

I understand the Lebel's were rimmed, no? I'm sure that presents its own problem, but I am always seeing re-chambered Mausers and such and thought I would ask about any French rifles.
 
The 8mm is a very large diameter round. There is really nothing to which the rifle could be rechambered. Cases can be formed from .348 Winchester - that will give you an idea of the size of the case.
 
BC Redneck sells the 8mm Lebel brass. Any .323/8mm cal bullet can be loaded for it. Lee sells the dies. Not a hard job to load your own.

Both the Lebels and Berthiers are fun to shoot.
 
The French DID convert some Lebels to 7.5x54 in the 1930s, but they are awfully hard to find.

You can make brass for the Lebel or for its Daddy, the Kropatschek, from .348 Winchester, but get it quick before it dries up. This brass also makes .50-70, 12.17x44 Remington, you can fake .50-110 Express from it....... just incredibobbly useful stuff.

Graf's has 8mm Lebel brass, Boxer primed, brand new, about $38/C which is peachy-keen allright.
 
skirsons said:
I've always thought French rifles were quite beautiful but I've never bought one because the ammunition is obsolete and not sold anymore. I am not into reloading and I'm afraid I never will be, so I was wondering if anyone ever had a Lebel re-chambered to a popular ammunition? Has this ever been done?

I understand the Lebel's were rimmed, no? I'm sure that presents its own problem, but I am always seeing re-chambered Mausers and such and thought I would ask about any French rifles.
Click to expand...

I kind of secretly like the Mas 39-51 rifle. I've seen them like new for reasonable prices but like you don't want another calibre to deal with. If I saw one in 7.62 Nato it would be much more interesting.
 
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