8mm bullet question

[waltherp88]

I have a Mannlicher Berthier in 8mm LeBel. I slugged the bore and got .326 if I add on 2 thousands I get .328 and I don't know where I can find a bullet .328 or .329. Does anyone know where I can find a cast bullet for this? Any help would be appreciated.

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[DocAV]

Since the French rifles are True "8MM" ( .315 Bore, .324 Bullet with .326 Waist and Grooves are .326. ( Balle D design and Balle "N" 1932 designs...Balle D has the front part above the cannelure at .326, whilst Balle N has the Rear Part below the cannelure at .326"

One can get away with a .323 Flat-based Jacket Bullet or a 325-6 Cast Bullets ( depends on alloy and Mould).

Sizing a cast .329 (Lee Mould) down to .326 may be do-able, but may lead to distortion of the Bullet.

I don't Know what Prvi (Graf's) 8mm Lebel ammo bullet Diameter is? it fits both "N" and non-"N" chambers, so it is probably .323 or .324 through-out.

Doers Graf's have Lebel projectiles from Prvi?

Doc AV

[vintage hunter]

PRVI 8mm Lebel ammo is made to Balle D specs. The more recent batch even has the ring around the primer so it's safe for use in the tube fed Lebel.
To my knowledge there are no projectiles available to hand loaders made to Balle D spec, although I've seen a few made to N spec but in order to be used safely the rifle has to bear the N conversion stamp on the chamber and receiver ring.

[USGI]

Hunters Supply makes a 170grain .322 cast FP bullet for the 32/40 Winchester. Midway carries them as item #812010. I don't know if these would work for you, but you might get more info on Midway's website. I've used these bullets in an old Winchester with Trail Boss powder. Sometimes, product reviews on Midway will give insight as to other applications. - Bob

Looks like that item number is no longer valid. Try this link instead:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/644...ose-box-of-100

[Patrick Chadwick]

I slugged the bore and got .326 if I add on 2 thousands I get .328 and I don't know where I can find a bullet .328 or .329.

So why add on 2 thousandths?
There are not many Lebel shooters over here, but a number of 8mm Kropatschek users, who have the same problem.

KISS solution:
NOE make several .326 bullet moulds. Get one.
Don't use gas checks.
Cast with something like the Lyman no. 2 alloy (see Lyman reloading manual), and the bullets will slug up as much as they need to fill the bore quite nicely.
And the fact that lead bullets which are just hard enough (but not too hard) slug up to fill the bore means that once the bullet hits the throat and has obturated, gas blowby is just not possible.

And don't even bother looking for modern jacketed bullets. The jackets are thicker/stiffer than the 1880s bullets. They are rather unkind for the bore of an 1880s rifle made from blackpowder-era steel. I presume you would like your bore to last a while?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Alternately, find bullets / casting / swaging gear for .32-40, which uses a nominal .324" bullet.

Some of the "majors" make batches of flat-nosed soft points for this calibre from time to time.

Alternately, find a manufacturer of the modern "swaged and plated" bullets.

Two thou "breeze-way" isn't likely to cause any dramas; look at ISSUE .303 ball bullets (.311") in ISSUE .303 barrels, (.319" ish groove), for example.