I've got a schuetzen rifle coming in this cartridge with a set of dies. Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

@ Gatogordo,
my dad have a old schützenrifle, the "Feuerstutzen" with the Aydt-action. Sometimes, I´m reloading the 8,15x46R for shooting. I have anought empty cases, made by RWS. Are still in production, but not very cheap.
I´m loading only the bullets made by H&N. H&N bullets
Especial the grease bullets. The old barrel don´t like the copper plated bullets. Next time, I will test same 170grs grease bullets from Hunters supply.
The 8,15x46R is the same excellent target round, like the .32-40. But very importend is, to gauge the barrel. Bullet diametres between .318" and .323" are possible. And some rifles, like dad´s rifle, making the first shoot as a flyer after cleaning. Most times, the first hit isn´t at the target.
At the moment, I´m planing a new made schützenrifle chamberes for the 8,15x46R, with a Ruger #1 action. The problem is to get a usefull Ruger action here in Germany.
Have fun with reloading and shooting the 8,15x46R

Martin

Edit: Cases can be formed from .30-30, but I have never done this.

BBF:

Thanks for the info, I may try to find some loaded rounds over here to start.

Wish I could be over there for the Octoberfest coming up in a few days. Drink a beer for me.

i know a couple guys to shoot that round, i'll see what i can find out from them

You will find much discussion of this cartridge and Schuetzen rifles in general on the ASSRA Forum. The first thing to do is slug the bore. I have encountered groove diameters that range from 0.313" to 0.326". The second thing is to make a chamber cast. The cast must be long enough to include all of the very long throat and some of the rifling. The third thing is to look at the action carefully. With some actions, rim dimensions are critical and require turning rims. With others, like the Aydt (think hammerless Ballard) rim dimensions are not critical. Making cases from 30-30 or 32 Special or 32-40 cases is easy. Just run them through the FL die. You may or may not need to trim the case. If the rim dimension is not critical, that's all there is to it. With my Aydt, regular 30-30 rims fit perfectly. With my Martini, it is necessary to reduce rim diameter, but not rim thickness. Quality Cartridge sells US-made brass, but it is pricey. And someone will sell you RWS brass made for US primers. It is the best. But, unless you need to turn case rims, old 30-30 cases do just fine.

Then you can spend a lot of time with cast bullets. I promise frustration getting the blasted thing to shoot accurately. The best starting point is to buy a box of "Stop Ring" bullets from Buffalo Arms. After that, you can hit up folks for trial batches of 30 or 32 or 8mm caliber cast bullets. If the stop ring bullets don't work, you may have to resort to breech-seating. Breech-seating methods are action-dependent. With an Aydt, all you need is a plugged case. With some other actions, you will need to make some sort of seating tool.

These are single shot rifles, so prime the case, pour in the powder and seat the stop ring bullet with your fingers in the case mouth. You may never need the seating die.

Mostly, rifle primers should be used, but some actions have wimpy mainsprings and you may need to use pistol primers. Starting loads are usually 13 to 14 grains of SR-4759 or IMR 4227.

Sights are another source of frustration. They were usually detachable and often have been lost. Replacement sights are available but pricey. Lots of luck.

Waterman

Gee, thanks, I think......

what waterman just said is pretty much what i got from the guy here. plus he wished you good luck hoped you like a challenge

Martin is correct about the first shot or 2. We normally shoot the first 2 at a 200-yard gong. Then the next 30 hopefully hit the 25-ring target.

The challenge (using fixed ammunition) is in getting the bullet from the case mouth, nominal diameter about 0.335" into the rifling that is maybe 0.318" but starts about 1/2-inch in front of the case mouth. Your bullet enters a funnel and what happens after that is anybody's guess. If you adopt breech-seating, you bypass the funnel and start with your bullet pre-engraved in the rifling. In Germany, Austria & wherever else the old Schuetzens were shot, several manufacturers made swaged soft lead bullets in a variety of sizes & weights. The old shooters experimented with what was available, or more probably just followed the instructions from the gunmaker. The powder companies sold pre-measured powder loads in little packets. We do not have that option. The German swaged bullets were probably more accurate than any cast bullet you will find here. But if you find the right combination, you will be able to shoot really good groups. Then start practicing offhand. That's how the rifles were shot.

waterman

Sometimes meanings get shaded on the net, I want to be clear that I really appreciate all the advice and help. My response above was strictly in jest. Again, thanks for the help and I'll get to work on the rifle when I have it in my hands, should be early next week.

A friend of mine had a Mauser M98 "training rifle" chambered for the 8.15X46R cartridge. It was "GI" in every respect except caliber. I don't think he ever tried o get ammo for it, however.

Our club holds 5 or 6 Schuetzen matches each year. We have had 2 of the Mauser 98s show up for this year's matches. They might or might not be "GI" in every respect, much as a National Match Springfield from the late 20s or 30s was "GI" in every respect. They will probably shoot (and last) with jacketed bullets. That is something that one should not try with the old single shots.

Waterman