I was buying a Brno 22F in 8x57mm with the intention of Reboring to 9.3x62mm but now I am considering leaving it as is and see how it shoots before making up my mind. Another idea popped up after perusing Taylor’s African Rifles and Cartridges. It is a round I have always wanted to try and would scratch one off the bucket list and that is the .318 Westley-Richards Accelerated Express. I don’t know if it would clean up the chamber and how the Reboring would work. The 8x57 and .318 appear to be pretty close in performance and the .318 may be more of a pain to find components for but it has always fascinated me. Any thoughts?

In fact, I think you said it yourself!
If you want it - do it.
But truth is components can be a pain and that is the reason I nowadays stick to standard calibers, however wonderful something different might be.

Nice rifle BTW. CZ/Brno does it well, indeed.

Never shoot a donor rifle. Many times they shoot to well.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Never shoot a donor rifle. Many times they shoot to well.

That is always my first thought after learning the hard way. I have bought a few Steyr-Mannlicher Model M Professionals in .270 and .30-06 with the intention of converting to 9.3x62mm but shot them and they all were under a 1/2" so I couldn't bring myself to do it

The base and rims diameter of the 318 is a few thousands smaller than the 8x57, but that probably won’t make a hill of beans. You’ll end up with the case bulging out above the web when using the proper .464” base diameter rounds much like when using ‘06 brass for 9.3x62, but if you just make them from ‘06 you shouldn’t have that problem. I’ve never seen a short barreled 318, but it sounds cool! I have a ‘20’s era Oberndorf type M 30-06 action that I intend to make up into a type M style 9.3x62. Oberndorf Mauser only made Type M up to 9mm, so I’m just going to make one.

P.S. You may find it hard or impossible to find someone with the tooling to rebore to .330”. A new barrel may be your only option. If anyone can rebore to .330”, Danny Peterson will be your best bet.

I don't think you can rebore from .323 to .330.

quote:

Originally posted by thirdbite:
I don't think you can rebore from .323 to .330.

I wasn't sure if you could. I left JES a message and will see what he says. It might have to be a 7x57 to rebore to the .318 if he even can do the .330 bore size. If I decide to do the rebore I think the 9.3 would be much more practical and economically feasible. Might have to hold up on a .318 until I can find a reasonably priced Westley Richards rifle

That is an interesting looking Brno. As much as I like my 9.3x62s (I have 3), I would try the rifle as it is before I changed anything. I have never hunted with the 8x57 but think it probably would have killed everything I have killed with the 9.3x62.

There are zero flies on the 8x57 Mauser. Many many decades of cartridge/load development and history. It's very comparable to a 30-06 in performance on game. I feel the 9.3x62 is much more cartridge then and the 8x57 Mauser.

If it makes you feel better, run an 8x60 reamer in there, load it on the warm side and try telling yourself it’s a lot more powerful than the 8x57!

farmer56 here not to hijack but i am in same boat...bought brno 21h 8x57 , won't shoot it just in case it's too good ... want to convert to 7x64 brennecke or 7mm blaser mag.. Question is do you guys know if any barrel makers have that same barrel profile .... maybe lothar ???? or do you have to ship barrel to one of the makers to copy??? want new barrel to match wood.. thanks farmer out

If you require an exact 21F barrel duplication, that presents the issue of sights. Could get pricey? Maybe some of the professionals on here could chime in on that.

Ihave a 8x57 Brno mod 22 F and I love it with a good handload..

I had a Brno mod. 21 std in 8x60 and it just wasn't any better than the 8x57 so I punched it out to a 8mm-06 and I really liked that, so I punched it out again to the 8nn/06 Ackley and it sizzles, easy to duplicate the 338-06..but truth be known If if had to do it over Id stick with the 8mm-06 to skip the fireforming phase.

I built a Brno mod 21 two barrel switch gun..using all original parts..had a good 7x57 barrel on it and I had a like new 8x57 original Brno 21 barrel and I had high plains rebore and chamber to the 9.3x62 I customed stocked in a high price chunk of Russian walnut..That was one awesome rifle, so good in fact that some gentleman with lots of cash had to have it, and all Im left with is a picture..

Of special interest is the Brno factory held their specs so tight that both barrels fit the inetting perfectly without me having to deal with that, both shot inch or better in the same inletting that was tight and perfectly fitted. That in itself is akin to the second coming, a true miracle..Add to that it only required one scope because both barrels shot to the same POI with my favorite loads..Never expected that and that's what played a big role in selling the gun.

Ray, on the switch barrel did you use the barrels as in and screw them on with a barrel vise or did you go with interrupted threads or some other method?

I might as well see how it shoots and give the 8mm a try. Have to get some dues now

I'm in the camp of your not gonna gain enough anything for the trouble your gonna go through.

pacecars,
I had a barrel vise handle, tap it with a hammer and unscrew the barrel, had to take it out of the wood to change barrels because of the quarter rib. but I didn't intend to change barrels in the field...All in all the switch barrel didn't impress me in that you never have the proper barrel on when you need it..but its hand in that you don't have to lug two guns all over the world..so it had its good points and lesser points IMO..Sometime back we had a photo display and good conversation and Wiebe was interested in the barrel wrench and removal also as were others..I realy wish I could have kept that fine rifle, but the money was too good to turn down..I particularly liked the caliber combo, a 7x57 and a 9.3x62...
My wrench was an L-shaped affair that went into the bolt recess, and a tap on the handle loosened the barrel and twisted off by hand, a KISS barrel remover or installer...I used a bench vise to hold it but careful use of a well padded bench rest was the best way, a pipe wrench also well padded worked...the screw in method seems to be more accurate, and don't seem to loosen over time..