i have a Finnish model 39 rifle that has a major flaw. the bore is 0.316". otherwise the rifle is really first class. but, with this oversized bore, accuracy is really non-existent. my thought was to sell it and find one with a smaller bore. then i thought that it might make a good project for a conversion. the round i found for conversion is the 8.2x53R Finnish. i think that all this takes is re-boring the barrel to 8mm and fireforming brass from 7.62x54R brass.

can i get by without fireforming the brass and just open the mouth using a die?

i know that this cartridge is pretty unusual here in the states, if one is here at all. does anyone have any experience with this round? is there another more common round that i might convert this rifle to?

other than converting the rifle, is there some other way to improve the accuracy? i'm not interested in going the lead bullet route.

thanks for the help....

I have a 303 with a .318" across the grooves.

I turned the necks on some cases and shot .323" bullets.

At least that made the rifle stop keyholing, but no great accuracy was achived.