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Joined: Apr 2010
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 694 Likes: 78 |
I truly believe you would do well to look into the Tesching line of cartridges. Unfortunately I have no links. Mike on the GGCA identified mine. I made mine from 30-40 Krag, which is about a dead swap for the 303. Thanks for the reply. What did you do for reloading dies? I just ordered a set of 8x38R Tesching dies from C&H. I hope these will work. I formed the 5 cases shown above, by shortening 303 brass, and triple annealing the body and neck area to make them dead soft. I then coated them with Corbin bullet swage lube, and gently tapped them into the rifle's chamber to reduce them to a press-fit size of the chamber. Finally I sanded each case by spinning them in the lathe, until they were reduced to the point where they would easily slip in-and-out of the rifle's chamber. I loaded these 5 cartridges with 13g 4227 and a 90g 32 cal. bullet. Expected velocity is 1700 fps. Test target to follow.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 591 Likes: 33 |
I took a different tack. I don't remember but did write it down as I went. I believe it took 4 dies to get there. I started sizing then trimming the case until it would slip into the chamber then fireformed it using Unique. I happened to have a bullet mold that would work so I used it over black powder for final forming. I had to turn some off the head and a little off the rim then polished them up in my lathe. My rifle is a bolt action from about 1900, give or take, and the root of the bolt is the only lock. It doesn't have a safety or ejector, just an extractor. Oh, I had to thin the case necks as well. All I do is neck size and I use one of the 38 Spl. dies.
As the rifle isn't Nitro proofed and I like shooting BP that's what I load it with, 28 grs. of Fffg and the 180 gr. bullet is just a little under groove diameter but, I cast it 25-1 so it's plenty soft enough to bump up. I'd post a picture but they're all on my desk top PC.
I have several custom dies from CH-4D but haven't ordered any for this rifle and probably won't. Neck sizing works fine.
NRA Benefactor 2008 NRA Patron 2007 NRA Endowment 1996 NRA Life 1988
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,666 Likes: 263 |
Both of you have the choice of donor cases and procedures well in hand and nothing I can suggest is any better and is technically not as good. For both these Tesching cartridges I would choose 303 Savage (not British) if I had bought some when the Starline cases were available, but I didn't. However, I have an overabundance of 30-30 cases and If I had either of your rifles, I would use them for donor cases. German cartridges based nominally on the 360- 2 1/4" usually have a casehead diameter of either around .427 or .433" (8.15x46R is usually smaller than .427") so the 30-30 case is technically too small but has the wonderful ability to expand to fit the chamber (ahead of the solid head part of the case). The 30-30 rim usually has to be thinned but the diameter is large enough to fill the rim recess (or can be trimmed to fit), which centers the case in the chamber and helps to ensure concentric expansion. Adjusting the case diameter by fireforming is easier that turning/sanding and polishing, also quicker. Then the 303 British , 30-40, and 9.3x72R cases can be saved for use when 30-30 or 38-55 cases are too short. Again, this is not a critique, but a suggestion. Mike
Last edited by Der Ami; 01/16/25 12:26 PM.
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1 member likes this:
sharps4590 |
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 694 Likes: 78 |
I don't like using cases that are that much under-size at the base. I think .005 - .008 under-size is about maximum. I believe .023 under-size is too much. That's why I used 303 brass. The turning/sanding and polishing is only because I didn't use a FL die to make the brass. And, I don't mind a little extra work to insure safety.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,666 Likes: 263 |
buckstix, In the first place, your experience (and likely technical expertise) is greater than mine, so your decision is best for you. A difference in diameter of .008" is only .004" on each side. Nonte, in his book, recommended .015" total but allowed a greater difference with low pressure cartridges. A chamber cast is the same size as the chamber and the cartridge must be smaller or it won't chamber. I got less concerned about larger differences in diameter when I put together a 6.5x55 for my brother and measured the American made cartridges he was using. While the "book" said the head diameter is .480", the American cartridges were .468" and of course the chamber was larger than .480". It was obvious that they determined that it was better for them to use 06 size "heading" dies than make .480" dies for one cartridge size. All that aside, I do have limits, even I wouldn't use 38-55 cases to make 7x57R. Mike
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 694 Likes: 78 |
Hello, I received the 8x38R Tesching dies from C&H today. I used the dies to form another 5 cases. The head of the formed cases was slightly smaller, and there was a more defined shoulder. Even with these slight variations, the loaded cartridges fired perfectly. The 90g Hornady semi-wadcutter bullets punched a nice sharp hole. I will continue to try different loads, but this test load looks like it would make a great target or small game load. http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8X38-TARG-SM.jpg![[Linked Image from buckstix.com]](http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8X38-TARG-SM.jpg)
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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buckstix, You can't argue with the results. Mike
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sharps4590 |
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