What mold for 8x56 Hungarian SP?

[glassparman]

I've got one of those old 8mm straight pull rifles.

Privi has made ammo in the past but I'm looking to cast my own .329 bullets.

Anyone cast for this beast?

Lee has the C329-205-1R but I don't know of a suitable top punch.

Mike

 

[462]

I used to cast that bullet for three different 8 mm Mausers, though "beagling" was necessary.

Go here to buy Keith's top punches, https://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?forums/keiths-korner.30/, then use epoxy or hot melt glue to customize to your bullets' profiles. Be sure to apply oil to the top of the bullet.
They are quite spiffy and very versatile.

 

[glassparman]

I do have a Lee .329 push through sizer. I could pan lube and then use the Lee thing.

 

[Bret4207]

First thing you'd better plan on is opening up the Lee die to about .331-.333, depending on your throat size. Easily done with abrasive cloth and the stiffest steel rod that will allow it to fit and then rolling it back and forth across your thigh. I use an sweet Walt Melander cut NEI 330-240RN. The Lee is simply too skinny. Got one of those too and .329 just isn't fat enough in my rifle. If you really want to use cast I'd either use a softer than WW alloy and use a fast powder or get a mould that starts out large enough and a slower powder.

Those rifles, mines the Steyr M95 Stuzen Carbine (I think thats the correct nomenclature), can get brutal when you up the FPS with a 220+ gr bullet. Less enthusiastic loadings make it a great deal easier to play with.

Don't confuse the 8x56R with the 8x57. Worlds of difference between the two!

 

[Intel6]

I have been loading and shooting for my Styer M95 for a few years now. I was going to try the Lee mould and sizer but I really wanted the Frankenstein mould made by BRP who stopped making moulds. Finally NOE made the 339-233-RF mould and I picked one up. It was designed specifically for the Styer M95 because it has an abrupt leade. Also as Bret said the M95 needs a bigger bullet and the NOE mould does that for you. I got a bigger/propper sizer and the bullet has been working great. The other thing you need with the correctly sized bullet is a larger expander for the neck.

Link to Mould - Noe Mould


In the pic you can see the bullet and the taper of the nose that helps with the leade/throat. You can also see why it is called the "Frankenstein" mould.

 

[glassparman]

Wow, great info. I just may have to buy the NOE mold.

I've always had my issues with the Lee molds especially when their web site says they don't track top punches because they want you to use the push through.

I've only shot commercial ammo from Privi through mine so maybe I'll slug the bore and see where it is at. I also have some cerrosafe I've never used so maybe this is a prime candidate for a chamber cast.

Thanks again!
Mike

 

[Bret4207]

I have been loading and shooting for my Styer M95 for a few years now. I was going to try the Lee mould and sizer but I really wanted the Frankenstein mould made by BRP who stopped making moulds. Finally NOE made the 339-233-RF mould and I picked one up. It was designed specifically for the Styer M95 because it has an abrupt leade. Also as Bret said the M95 needs a bigger bullet and the NOE mould does that for you. I got a bigger/propper sizer and the bullet has been working great. The other thing you need with the correctly sized bullet is a larger expander for the neck.

Link to Mould - Noe Mould


In the pic you can see the bullet and the taper of the nose that helps with the leade/throat. You can also see why it is called the "Frankenstein" mould.


View attachment 30733




View attachment 30734

Ooooooh! I LIKE that bullet! Mines a RN and I made a jig to file a FN on it because I wasn't too certain the RN would do the damage I wanted if I ever banged a Bambi with it. I'll try to remember to get a pic. The bullet looks perfect for the Steyr!

 

[Bret4207]

Wow, great info. I just may have to buy the NOE mold.

I've always had my issues with the Lee molds especially when their web site says they don't track top punches because they want you to use the push through.

I've only shot commercial ammo from Privi through mine so maybe I'll slug the bore and see where it is at. I also have some cerrosafe I've never used so maybe this is a prime candidate for a chamber cast.

Thanks again!
Mike

If you have some fired cases you can measure the ID of the case mouth and get a rough idea of about how big the body of the bullet can be. It's a start.