8x52R loads

[nam72]

Looking for starting loads for siamese mauser 8x52R. Could I start with 8mm mauser 175 gr. sierra and drop down 5 grains on powder? Anyone out there who's loaded for this round?

Information

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[buffdog]

The "Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" gives a load of 40.0 grains of IMR 4320 with a 180 grain spire point bullet for a velocity of 2000 FPS. It also states you can make brass from 45-70 cases.

[Merle]

The "Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" gives a load of 40.0 grains of IMR 4320 with a 180 grain spire point bullet for a velocity of 2000 FPS. It also states you can make brass from 45-70 cases.

It is true that you can reform 45-70 brass, but it is a bit of a PITA.
Necking down from 45 to 32 caliber is best done in several steps, and even then you will probably get some wrinkled case necks. But I must say, while somewhat ugly, that never hurt functioning that I could see. Then you will have to reduce rim diameter. Since I didn't have a lathe, I strapped my 1/2 inch drill to the bench & used that. With care, you won't crush nor gouge the cases. For my rifle, I did not have to reduce the thickness of the rim. All that was left was to shorten the cases. Since the rim is an odd size, I used a Forester collet type trimmer to grip the case rim tightly enough to get the job done. A simple inside & outside chamfer & you are ready to go.

You might want to check out "Cartridges Of The World" for additional load data.

In spite of the effort required, it was worth it. Especially when the guys at the range ask what that big beast of a cartidge is. Then you get to educate them on the joys of shooting MILSURPS!!!

Have a go at it, and let us know how it turns out.