05 May 2008, 14:51
igorrockMannlicher Schönauer m 1908 cal. 8x56 M-S
Here is my new favourite rifle. Original scope with claw mounts upper parts missing but RECKNAGEL sell suitable part to make new ones. Factory made carts are quite difficult to find but from Germany you can buy dies and shells quite cheap.
06 May 2008, 00:36
sierra2A nice M1908 Mannlicher. Ammunition is a problem here in the USA too, since the cartridge went obsolete here with WWII. Interestingly, Western and Remington-Peters must have made a lot of 8x56mm Mannlicher ammo, because hoards of it continue to turn up over here. On the better plus side, good 8x56mm brass can be made from Winchester and Norma brass, with variances from lot to lot. I even found two boxes of unused white box Winchester 8x56mm virgin brass for reloaders a few years ago.
Nice old rifles
LLS
08 May 2008, 06:49
sierra2Concerning 9.3x57mm brass, I've purchased 100s of Norma cases from the online supply houses here in the USA. It is the preferred "donor" case for making 9.5x57mm Mannlicher. For the 8x56mm, I'd stay with assoted 8mm Mauser brass. Just find which brand forms most easily in your 8x56mm full length sizing die and stay with it. Verify your overall length is right, and double check in the chamber of your rifle. Some chambers take reformed 8mm Mauser right away, and some require minor trimming.