Loading for the 7.35 Carcano- especially finding bullets

jonk

I got one of these things and want to load for it. I have yet to slug the barrel, but it should measure about .299-.301. This is a really oddball size to get jacketed bullets, though I have seen them in the ammodepot catalog for the pricey price of $30 per 100. Anyone know of a cheaper source? Any reason I can't run some standard .308 bullets, either jacketed or cast, through a bullet sizing die of appropriate size and take that extra seven thousandths of an inch off? I know Lee doesn't offer this size as standard, but they will make a resizing die in custom size for $25, which still ain't bad. I'm told Lyman makes an off the shelf mould in this caliber. ANy experience with it in terms of accuracy/price?

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"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

Iconoclast

Jonk: This is your lucky day, bro. I have 100s of the Speer .298 150gr JSP bullets (made in the 50s or 60s) which I will sell for $20/100 + shpg. These are bulk; no pretty boxes, but that doesn't affect their ballistic properties. Contact me directly if interested: tcg25@hotmail.comGood luck finding the Lyman mould. I had one, purchased new 25+ years ago, in VG condition which fetched $71 at auction (if you watch the auction prices for used moulds, you know how unusual it is for them to go that high). I've not seen another offered for sale on-line or at a show. I don't know if it is even possible to order these moulds from Lyman any more. Given the realized price, I doubt it. However, If no luck w/ that, try Rapine. They make almost everything that Lyman/Ideal ever offered, and many more besides. Pricey, but very good quality. I've never been convinced that aluminum blocks are as good as steel, though.[This message has been edited by Iconoclast (edited 11-12-2001).]

v35

Load for 150 gr .298 dia bullets are as follows:4320 40gr 2550fps, 4895 38gr 2450fps, H380 41gr 2490fps. Working pressure should be approx 38k psi.You can buy a Lee lead bullet sizing die and push .308 bullets through it.I've done this with 32 cal going to .308 for the .30 luger. You'd be taking off a little more copper and if it doesnt work so well, you might want to do it in two steps. It's worth a try. MSC tools can sell you reamers so if lee cant give the right diameters, buy the next undersize and ream to suit.