Handloading for the 8mmx50R Lebel

[.333 Nitro Express]

I have just acquired a 1907/15 model Berthier rifle, with a near-mint barrel that slugs at a groove diameter of .3265." I have it all ready to go, with the sling, the bayonet, the en-bloc clips, the dies and the brass.

I am generally quite good at finding answers on the 'Net. On this one, though, I am finding a lot of contradicting information, links that lead to error messages, and overall frustrating half-answers. If anyone has experience with this cartridge, I'd love to know the following:

1 - The original bullet was--much like the Austrian 8mmx50R--of .323 diameter, but had an exposed-lead base that was designed to fill out the groove diameter. What commercial bullets give satisfactory results in this caliber? By satisfactory I mean shooting within three or four MOA.

2 - Is the exposed-lead base essential, or will a jacketed base also give adequate performance--which would enhance the bullet selection?

3 - If it's better to use cast lead bullets that fill the grooves (+.002" or thereabouts), which manufacturer/online retailer should I look into? (I am not equipped to cast at home, and even if I was, my wife would disown me).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

I've used Remington 185gr .323" for years and they've been just fine. I don't see why the more available Privi 8mm FMJ would be any less effective.

I have not shot with lead projectiles. I don't see any reason they wouldn't perform well. I just never felt the need to do it.

8 X 50R Lebel is ugly, but neat and I think the Mle 1907/15 is one of the prettiest old rifles out there ... unlike the Mle-1916 ... that's UGLY!

My load is 40.5gr IMR 4064 with that 185gr bullet. Disclaimer, it works for me, but if you use my data, you do it at your own risk. For cases, I've been using reformed .348 Winchester (needing to turn down the head diameter a tad). I did read somewhere that Privi's NEW 8 X 50R has a redone primer pocket, complete with the annular ring/groove for the Mle-1886/93 crowd. Haven't seen any picture, but worth checking out.

Hope this was of some help ... and happy shooting!

 

[.333 Nitro Express]

"Hope that this was of some help"?? This was precisely the kind of pointed answer for the lack of which I was so frustrated on other fora!!!

I take it you used the Core-Lokt Remington bullet, such as the one here?

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/16...8mm-323-diameter-185-grain-pointed-soft-point

I'll give it a whirl too. Incidentally, do you know what your bore slugs to?

Thanks a million for your help.

Tom

 

[Cosmoline]

I've been trying various handloads with my '86. It has an oversized bore, so I expected cast lead to work best. But it hates cast lead, so go figure. Throws it all over in a pie plate even at 25 yards. OTOH it does just fine with standard .323" jacketed bullets. Nothing fancy needed. Accuracy is about 3" - 4" but squared up fine on the target and I just keep it at 50 yards. It's an old, old rifle with a lot of usage on it. And these have a rep for being reliable soldier's rifles, not for being tack drivers. So if you can find a load giving you 2" or so I'd say you have a winner.

As a rifle it seems to have a kind of languid, cynical attitude towards my handloading efforts. I have a theory that it would like the heavier bullets better but so far mine really doesn't seem to care. It just spits them in roughly the same pattern every time. I think it *could* do better if I impressed it, but so far I haven't impressed it. And it spat out my cast bullets like a Frenchman spitting out Maxwell House blend. "Est-ce que tu crois que je suis un 'cow poke' monsieur?"