French MAS Model 36 - 7.5 x 54

[ping]

I just pickup a real nice Model 36 this weekend. It looks like it was hardly shot and had been lookin for a while for one. Anyway - I bought some ammo at the gun show this weekend so I got some starter ammo. It was Privat I believe. I want to reload for it so need to get a set of dies. I like RCBS so need to look still. My question is it appears to be .308 when i measure the ones i bought and compared with .308 measure the same. So if that is the case will it accept a Sierra 168 gr HPBT. I use the heck out of them and would be nice to use. If not a good choice can someone make a recommendation. I see from some posts that IMR4895 might be a good choice. I use that too so good.

If anyone has info on where brass can be purchased i would appreciate it. i do not want to form any from another cartridge either.

Excited about shooting it. Next week hopefully. I hate my rcbs loading manual or my lyman does not have info on this. maybe the newest ones do.

 

[jcwit]

Here ya go

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/769?

I've got 2 of these rifles, had them for maybe 6 or 8 years, have never got around to shooting either one yet.

 

[Edarnold]

7.5x54 MAS

The original military load was a 140gr. bullet at 2600 fps, in 1985 they changed to the NATO 147gr. M-80 bullet at about the same velocity. The original military load developed about 40,000 psi, so this is NOT a high-pressure number like the .308 Winchester. However, like the very similar 7.5 x 55 Swiss round, case capacity is considerably greater than the .308 Winchester, which keeps pressures down for comparable loads.

The Barnes 'Cartridges of the World' lists a load with 4895 and 150gr. bullet of 45gr. I'd suggest using the starting loads from your loading manual for the 7.5 x 55 Swiss as a base for working up a load for the 168gr. MK

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

The original ball round was a 9 gram bullet (139 grains). I have yet to develop a load that mimics that round. I'll get around to it one of these days.