Loading 8mm Lebel with black powder

NavyLT · January 27, 2010, 01:19 PM

I am really not sure whether to put this in the black powder forum, the handloading forum, or here?!?

I have an 8mm Lebel Carbine MLE-16 rifle with the barrel marked "N" for the higher pressure rounds.

Does anyone know if I can load the 8mm Lebel round with black powder up to the neck of the case and then seat a bullet so that it is against the black powder and be safe?

Jim Watson · January 27, 2010, 02:43 PM

Well, that worked for the British in those days, I don't see why a French rifle would not be safe.

mapsjanhere · January 27, 2010, 03:33 PM

Or you do the same with Trailboss and safe yourself the cleaning.

NavyLT · January 27, 2010, 05:04 PM

I load now with IMR-4089, I just want the BP effect

mapsjanhere · January 27, 2010, 06:31 PM

So, you're taking a cartridge who's one claim to fame was being the first smokeless round and convert it to black powder. That's real retro

B.L.E. · January 27, 2010, 09:21 PM

You always want a compressed load with black powder. If you don't want to use that much powder, make up the space with filler (cornmeal, cream of wheat, or wads).
As much powder as the case will hold and still let you seat the bullet, you don't want an air space in the cartridge.

NavyLT · January 27, 2010, 09:42 PM

Yep. I am just wondering if overpressure is going to be a problem if I fill the case up completely with black powder.

James K · January 28, 2010, 09:45 PM

Just load with smokeless powder. A moderate load for .30-30 or .30-40 should work fine. As others have said, the cartridge and the rifle were designed for smokeless powder.

Jim

January 27, 2010, 01:19 PM	#1
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	Loading 8mm Lebel with black powder I am really not sure whether to put this in the black powder forum, the handloading forum, or here?!? I have an 8mm Lebel Carbine MLE-16 rifle with the barrel marked "N" for the higher pressure rounds. Does anyone know if I can load the 8mm Lebel round with black powder up to the neck of the case and then seat a bullet so that it is against the black powder and be safe?

January 27, 2010, 03:33 PM	#3
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Or you do the same with Trailboss and safe yourself the cleaning. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

January 27, 2010, 06:31 PM	#5
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	So, you're taking a cartridge who's one claim to fame was being the first smokeless round and convert it to black powder. That's real retro __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

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January 27, 2010, 02:43 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Well, that worked for the British in those days, I don't see why a French rifle would not be safe.

January 27, 2010, 05:04 PM	#4
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	I load now with IMR-4089, I just want the BP effect

January 27, 2010, 09:21 PM	#6
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	You always want a compressed load with black powder. If you don't want to use that much powder, make up the space with filler (cornmeal, cream of wheat, or wads). As much powder as the case will hold and still let you seat the bullet, you don't want an air space in the cartridge.

January 27, 2010, 09:42 PM	#7
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	Yep. I am just wondering if overpressure is going to be a problem if I fill the case up completely with black powder.

January 28, 2010, 09:45 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Just load with smokeless powder. A moderate load for .30-30 or .30-40 should work fine. As others have said, the cartridge and the rifle were designed for smokeless powder. Jim