Odd reloads

Gunplummer · June 12, 2016, 08:13 AM

I recently acquired an odd caliber that I could not find load specs for. I was buying dies anyway, so I thought LEE, king of oddball dies. Sure enough, just like when I loaded up .303 Savage years ago, there were load specs included in the instructions. Just a thought if you get stuck on something.

**Unclenick** · June 12, 2016, 09:12 AM

Don't forget CH-4D. 70 pages of different chamberings they make dies for. No load data, like Lee, but many more oddball cartridges in their list.

T. O'Heir · June 12, 2016, 12:29 PM

Lyman manuals usually have data for obsolete cartridges in the back. Asking here will likely get you data for some really odd stuff too.
Lee does no load testing themselves. Their data comes from the powder maker.

Chainsaw. · June 13, 2016, 07:28 AM

So what is this oddball caliber?

Gunplummer · June 15, 2016, 04:06 PM

8MM Lebel.

FrankenMauser · June 15, 2016, 05:03 PM

Be careful with the Lee data, if it's 8x51R Lebel.
There are many reports of the Lee data sticking bullets in the bores of Berthier carbines and rifles. Some of the data is so conservative that it goes too far and becomes dangerous.

Crankylove and I spent several months trying to find something other than Lee data for the cartridge, almost 10 years ago, while he was trying to put together some usable loads for an extended family member's rifle. (Which we were unable to borrow for testing.) We didn't have much luck, and eventually had to just use our best judgement when comparing "pet loads" with the Lee data.

Of course, if it's the revolver cartridge, that's a whole different beast. I have no knowledge or experience with that one.

Gunplummer · June 16, 2016, 04:30 AM

OK. Thanks for the heads up.

June 12, 2016, 08:13 AM	#1
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Odd reloads I recently acquired an odd caliber that I could not find load specs for. I was buying dies anyway, so I thought LEE, king of oddball dies. Sure enough, just like when I loaded up .303 Savage years ago, there were load specs included in the instructions. Just a thought if you get stuck on something.

June 12, 2016, 09:12 AM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,128	Don't forget CH-4D. 70 pages of different chamberings they make dies for. No load data, like Lee, but many more oddball cartridges in their list. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 15, 2016, 05:03 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,473	Be careful with the Lee data, if it's 8x51R Lebel. There are many reports of the Lee data sticking bullets in the bores of Berthier carbines and rifles. Some of the data is so conservative that it goes too far and becomes dangerous. Crankylove and I spent several months trying to find something other than Lee data for the cartridge, almost 10 years ago, while he was trying to put together some usable loads for an extended family member's rifle. (Which we were unable to borrow for testing.) We didn't have much luck, and eventually had to just use our best judgement when comparing "pet loads" with the Lee data. Of course, if it's the revolver cartridge, that's a whole different beast. I have no knowledge or experience with that one. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 12, 2016, 12:29 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Lyman manuals usually have data for obsolete cartridges in the back. Asking here will likely get you data for some really odd stuff too. Lee does no load testing themselves. Their data comes from the powder maker.

June 13, 2016, 07:28 AM	#4
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	So what is this oddball caliber?

June 15, 2016, 04:06 PM	#5
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	8MM Lebel.

June 16, 2016, 04:30 AM	#7
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	OK. Thanks for the heads up.