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Hello chaps

I have an obscure reloading query here. I want to make 7.65x53 Mauser (for the Argentine and Belgian Mausers) cases from a more available calibre. I tried using a Lee 7.65x53 full-length sizing die on 30-06 cases and then trimming, but the resulting cases wouldn't chamber. I contacted Lee Precision and they said that full-length sizing dies are not designed to form the desired calibre from a different one, and I also found that a few others had this problem caused by the Lee die not pushing the case shoulder down far enough.

Looking for a solution, I found one reference to someone using 308 cases which are a little too short but could essentially be fireformed to become 7.65x53 - link here: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?t ... ne.675310/
(final comment)

My question is, has anyone else tried using this method with 308? Does it work, or can anyone suggest another solution? I'd rather not purchase the PPU brass if I can help it. I'd also prefer not to purchase any more dies. Any help is much appreciated.

Don't know if this helps......

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... -die-works

If 308 is too short then wouldn't a 30'06 be more suitable?
Don't forget to delete or mark the headstamp of reformed brass!

In the Manual of Cartridge Conversions by Donnelly and Towsley, it states;

Trim .30-06 to 2.1", anneal and F/L resize in a 7.65 Mauser die. Then trim to 2.09" and chamfer mouth.

I think the Lee dies have problems and RCBS dies are what I need. Then trimming .30-06 brass down and forming should work fine. Thanks though.

As with most case forming from donor cases, annealing is a very important part of the process.

One question I meant to ask, why won’t you buy Privi brass?

Sim G wrote:One question I meant to ask, why won’t you buy Privi brass?

Oh I can do I just have buckets of .308 and .30-06 so was hoping to use some of that rather than buy the new stuff.

Sim G wrote:One question I meant to ask, why won’t you buy Privi brass?

I have never seen any advertised/available at a comparable price in the UK.

I use an RCBS file/trim die............just run a lubed 30-06 or 270 case in and hack off the protrusion.

I anneal after this and fireform to finish the shoulder.

gashtyke wrote:

Sim G wrote:One question I meant to ask, why won’t you buy Privi brass?

I have never seen any advertised/available at a comparable price in the UK.

I use an RCBS file/trim die............just run a lubed 30-06 or 270 case in and hack off the protrusion.

I anneal after this and fireform to finish the shoulder.

Henry Krank which is the UK importer for PPU doesn't list 7.65x53mm in either ammunition or brass. Whether they'd be willing to get some in specially ..... ?

When I did some loading for an FN Modelo 1935 in 7.65 a long time ago, I also used an RCBS 'Trim' die. I saw somewhere at the time that these dies also did an FL size / ?? Form job. Anyway, it worked very well. They're expensive items presumably because of the hardening needed on the top surface to allow the excess neck brass to be sawed and filed off.

I tried a few 30-06 cases just out of interest and they chambered fine. All those I shot were once or twice fired 8X57mm Mauser - a much less ambitious re-form. Although they were cheap FNM they worked fine and didn't split despite not being annealed. I don't know how many firings they'd have taken before necks went, but I got three or four no trouble, and as I had lots of 8X57 cases and it was an easy re-form job, it was no great issue.

You do need a pretty hefty press for this sort of job as press frame flex / stretch will see shoulders left too far forward. I used a big Lee Classic Cast cast iron job, the original pre-Breech lock version. These are very sturdy presses - used in tweaked form by some small scale bulletmakers.