I want to reload for a J-bore 8mm (.318" diameter grooves). Very few of the proper size bullets are available, and the few that are don't fit my needs and are also rather pricey.

So, would it be more satisfactory to take some conventional cup-and-core bullets for the .303 Brit (.312-.313 diameter) and bump them up to .318", or would it be better to take 8mm S-bore (.323") bullets and size them down to .318?

Looks like the diameter alteration is very nearly the same either way, but I'm guessing that one method might turn out better projectiles than the other.

I would size down

I was told that bump UP with jacketed bullets is safer than size down.

As, supposedly, the core and jacket can develop a gap. Supposedly the lead sizes down and stays sized down whereas the jacket having been sized down then expands, slightly, back out.

Personally I'd initially try unsized .312-.313 bullets and see what happens. They may well work as they are. We Brits made our .303s wide in the bore and a .318" Enfield isn't uncommon.

You can find the Hornady interlocks in a couple of varieties <$25/100 and some Blems (<$16 - $23 per 100) for sale on Midwayusa.

It doesn't seems like the cost of the other size bullets and the labor of re-sizing them would be worth it.

I take .416 down to .410 all the time. I've had no issues

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
You can find the Hornady interlocks in a couple of varieties <$25/100 and some Blems (<$16 - $23 per 100) for sale on Midwayusa.

I wasn't able to locate these. Can you post a link? The only .318 bullet I found was an out-of-stock Woodleigh.

quote:

Originally posted by enfieldspares:
I was told that bump UP with jacketed bullets is safer than size down.

I agree. You will end up with a more consistent product. Bullet manufacturers always swage up to size, never down.

i'm sure swaging is best. But you add the extra cost of higher price dies and a different press.

As I said I've had no issue with my .410s but I'm using them for water jugs and 125yd or less hogs.

I bow to the more experienced.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
You can find the Hornady interlocks in a couple of varieties <$25/100 and some Blems (<$16 - $23 per 100) for sale on Midwayusa.

I wasn't able to locate these. Can you post a link? The only .318 bullet I found was an out-of-stock Woodleigh.

That is weird. When I looked yesterday that had eight-ten different .318 bullets listed including two different Hornady Interlocks, two blem bulk packs, two Speer bullets, the Woodleigh's and some other bullets but now only the Woodleighs show up.

It may have been an old, cached page because I don't see where Hornady even makes a .318 bullet anymore.

Swaging/bumping up works best. Drawing down often causes some of the lead core to extrude at the nose -- and sometimes enough to affect accuracy.

Buffalo Arms has 4 weights: 150 to 200 grain.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/300...r-4178.aspx?CAT=4178 Go to page 4 and 5.

Hawk has two weights.

http://hawkbullets.com/masterList.html#/ Click Menu and .318.

Sounds like it's time to start casting.

In this thread everyone for swaging. Two threads down everyone id fine with drawing down from .427 to .423.

I would have it rebored to a .338/06, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62....$175 well spent. My other option would be to find a 8mm f.323 barrel and index to your rifle..

Or just buy some of these and go shooting. Read the reviews.
https://www.midwayusa.com/prod...flat-nose-box-of-100

quote:

Originally posted by Fury01:
Or just buy some of these and go shooting. Read the reviews.
https://www.midwayusa.com/prod...flat-nose-box-of-100

The possibility of using bullets for the .32 Win. Special occurred to me. They nominally measure .321, but according to the users the Hornady products actually are more like .320". Only .002" oversized isn't really a problem. As a matter of fact, I understand that if the throat will accept them -- and loads are kept mild -- that regular .323" bullets will work acceptably through a .318" barrel.

Too bad the deal fell through on the 8x60, however.