Reloading 8x56R

[PeterN2]

When I realised the military 8x56R cases would just fit in the Wamadet hydraulic decapper that I have, I decided to have a go at reloading a few of them. I have several hundred spent cases and also a few hundred rounds of Bulgarian military ammunition so I don’t really need to reload this calibre, but I thought I would do a few anyway. They only just fit the decapper, I had to push them in and pull them out to get them past the O ring. They decapped easily, much the same as the GP11 Swiss cases. I measured the spent primer to check that they weren’t some obscure Bulgarian size. They measured about 0.216 wide and 0.1 deep so they are standard size Berdan primers that are 0.217. That is the same measurements as the RWS 5620 primer. The No.81 Berdan primer is a little deeper, measuring about 0.114 deep. I primed a case with the RWS 5620 primer and one with the No.81 Berdan primer to check they fit OK which they did, both seating a little below the case head.
I have some 0.330 lead bullets that I have had for a few years and never got around to reloading as I have a good supply of original ammunition. I decided to load a few of those. I also have some PPU 0.330 208 grain jacketed bullets. I will leave those for another time. I used my NDFS dies to size the cases and the 0.329 expander for the neck as a separate operation. I bought the dies in 1993 but have hardly used them. I bought 20 Bertram cases before the military ammunition became available and reloaded those a couple of times.
So, cases primed with No.81 Berdan primers, a charge of Alliant 2400 and a lead bullet and off to the range. The rifle shoots very high with the military ammunition. I was shooting at 100 yards. I was shooting at a PL7 50 metre pistol target as it is nice and big. I took a six o’clock hold and fired. Nothing on the target. Maybe high, so I lowered the aim and fired again. Nothing on the target again. On the range, we have a plastic milk jug sat on the sand between targets so people can check fall of shot. I fired at that. Eighteen inches low was the answer. So, sight changed from the 300 yard notch to the 500 yard notch and fired again. The round hit the card in the 4 ring to the left so all is good. A little aim adjustment and I fired the remaining 21 rounds. I was quite pleased with the result. A 40+ year old primer in an 82 year old case sending a bullet up a 105 year old barrel, all aimed using the issue sight guided by 70+ year old eyes. Someone with better eyes would likely tighten up the group. It was very pleasant to shoot, much nicer than the bump from the military ammunition. The rifle I used was my Mannlicher M95 long rifle.

The case heads. From the left an original unfired round, a fired round, a decapped case, a case primed with a No.81 and a case primed with RWS5620.

Cartridge heads 2.jpg (132.04 KiB) Viewed 3031 times

The bullets I used.

Cast bullets.jpg (180.1 KiB) Viewed 3031 times

The target shot at 100 yards. The first shot on the card was the one in the 4 ring to the left.

Target 8x56R cast bullet.jpg (209.47 KiB) Viewed 3031 times

An interesting experience.
Regards
Peter.

[Niner]

What you did is interesting to read about. Considering the aim point relative to military loads you must have gone on the light side with the powder load in keeping also with the target shooting intention. A lighter load with a Mannlicher would seem to me to be much welcomed. Last time I shot mine I remember having a bruised shoulder socket.

My ammo has the Nazis eagle marks on the case head. I don't know how much I have but under 150 rounds I'd guess. That's probably 150 more than I'll ever need for shooting.

[ian27]

Peter, I have a chance to buy an M95 carbine, guys has about 30 reloads for it. I looked at it the other day and took the bolt out. I wish I hadn’t. What a pain in the ass to get the bolt head to stay forward. Maybe I just wasn’t using enough exertion but it was a pain. I have done a bit of reading and have seen that guys put a coin at the rear of the bolt head to stop it rotating when you take it out. Apparently there is a tail on the extractor which can wear, thus the bolt head doesn’t want to stay forward when you try to put it in the rifle. Several people say that even if the tale is worn, it won’t actually have any affect on use of the rifle. Was just wondering if you have any thoughts on this

[PeterN2]

I have just bought an M95 carbine in 8x56R. I will post some pics when I get some taken. The post above was about my M95 long Rifle. The bolt head on the long rifle stays in place when you remove the bolt. You have to tap the bolt to get the bolt head to snap in. The carbine I just bought is as you have found out. The bolt head snaps back as you remove the bolt. If you are not careful, it can jam in the bolt track. What I have done for that one is to cut a piece from an iced lolly stick and put it in the gap and hold it in place when removing the bolt. This keeps the bolt head extended. I replace the bolt gently so it doesn’t snap back. I have another carbine in 8x50R that snaps the bolt head back. It is a bit of a pain, but once the bolt is in everything is OK and the rifle shoots fine.
Regards
Peter.

[Niner]

Got to thinking about my M95's. I got the carbine and the long rifle. I couldn't remember the bolts being any problem to take in and out.....but I haven't fired either of them in probably eight or nine years or more. I found that my carbine bolt with engraved matching serial number stayed cocked after removal and didn't seem to slip any when replacing in the carbine. I found this video that I watched to the end. It reawakened my awareness of this war weapon. It also shows how to take apart the bolt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXykeRDLM8c

[ian27]

Thanks for your input Peter. I have not purchased the rifle yet. I am looking to see if I can get the brass and bullets before I do so. Charger clips are gonna be a problem I suspect, I can’t seem to find any for sale. Thanks again!!

[PeterN2]

Henry Krank sell the brass and .330 Prvi bullets. I have a few clips that I got mostly from the USA, before they mostly stopped selling gun stuff to us. There will be some for sale here somewhere. I don't know where, though. Buffalo Arms in the USA list the clips. I have bought dies from them in the past so they may ship the clips here.
The M95 rifles are nice to have. The military 8x56R ammunition fired in the carbine is a bit sharp, with a nice muzzle flash. I had a slip on recoil pad when I shot it. Reloads will be a bit milder.
I had another go at making something to stop the bolt head retracting. I made a piece from a baked bean tin lid. It sits in the gap nicely and curves round the bolt head shaft and keeps the bolt head extended.
Regards
Peter.
https://www.buffaloarms.com/model-m-95- ... scm95.html