Reloading 7.5x54 French MAS?
Quote from mamontb on November 14, 2024, 12:01 amI am planning on reloading 7.5x54 mm rifle ammo for an MAS 49/56 semi-auto French rifle.
I have ordered a 3 die set from Lee and want to use it on my 550 progressive press.
What shell holder and powder funnel do I need? I have a #1 shell holder for .45 ACP; I understand that it is the same shell holder as the shell holder used for .30-06, which has about the same dimensions as the 7.5x54 head. Should I order a .30 rifle power funnel?
Thanks!
I am planning on reloading 7.5x54 mm rifle ammo for an MAS 49/56 semi-auto French rifle.
I have ordered a 3 die set from Lee and want to use it on my 550 progressive press.
What shell holder and powder funnel do I need? I have a #1 shell holder for .45 ACP; I understand that it is the same shell holder as the shell holder used for .30-06, which has about the same dimensions as the 7.5x54 head. Should I order a .30 rifle power funnel?
Thanks!
Quote from The Human Manual on November 14, 2024, 5:16 pmIt depends on whose brass you are using. Usually the #1 shellplate works fine. If it is too tight, use the L shellplate. Use the "B" powder funnel. I use both FNM (Portuguese) brass and reformed Lapua 6.5 x 55 brass, and these fit the #1 shellplate. I have not used any PPU brass yet. I have an article on the MAS 36/51 and 49/56 rifles in the upcoming Blue Press magazine.
It depends on whose brass you are using. Usually the #1 shellplate works fine. If it is too tight, use the L shellplate. Use the "B" powder funnel. I use both FNM (Portuguese) brass and reformed Lapua 6.5 x 55 brass, and these fit the #1 shellplate. I have not used any PPU brass yet. I have an article on the MAS 36/51 and 49/56 rifles in the upcoming Blue Press magazine.
Quote from mamontb on November 14, 2024, 6:36 pmI'm planning on (initially) reloading PPU fired brass (I ordered some ammo for rifle function checking and a Murry anti-slamfire firing pin kit). I have some .30-06 brass I am planning on re-forming when my Lee dies arrive (I wish I could use Dillion dies).
I plan on single-stage resizing in the 550 all the brass I will reload, then trimming, then progressively priming, "powering", seating, and crimping. If you have a recommendation on how to make this process more efficient, I'd appreciate reading it (is there a YouTube video?).
Looking forward to the Blue Press article!
I'm planning on (initially) reloading PPU fired brass (I ordered some ammo for rifle function checking and a Murry anti-slamfire firing pin kit). I have some .30-06 brass I am planning on re-forming when my Lee dies arrive (I wish I could use Dillion dies).
I plan on single-stage resizing in the 550 all the brass I will reload, then trimming, then progressively priming, "powering", seating, and crimping. If you have a recommendation on how to make this process more efficient, I'd appreciate reading it (is there a YouTube video?).
Looking forward to the Blue Press article!
Quote from The Human Manual on November 15, 2024, 3:48 pmIf you plan to used fired 30-06 brass to form into 7.5 MAS, then I strongly recommend that you anneal the cases first. Otherwise the failure rate will be high, as much as 50%. I used new 6.5 x 55 brass when I formed it, and only lost a couple of cases during the reforming process. I have used PPU brass for several other cartridges, and have been quite satisfied with it.
Your plan is how I have done it, with the exception that reformed 6.5 x 55 brass did not require trimming afterwards. Enjoy shooting your rifle.
If you plan to used fired 30-06 brass to form into 7.5 MAS, then I strongly recommend that you anneal the cases first. Otherwise the failure rate will be high, as much as 50%. I used new 6.5 x 55 brass when I formed it, and only lost a couple of cases during the reforming process. I have used PPU brass for several other cartridges, and have been quite satisfied with it.
Your plan is how I have done it, with the exception that reformed 6.5 x 55 brass did not require trimming afterwards. Enjoy shooting your rifle.
Quote from mamontb on November 15, 2024, 4:08 pmThanks, Gary. I have some .30-06 on hand that I'd planned to use to practice reloading 7.5x54 while I'm waiting for my rifle (I no longer own a .30-06). I infer that while I need to anneal fired .30-06 brass to reform, I don't need to anneal fired 7.5x54 cases that I reload. I will need to trim the cases after resizing, but that resizing won't stress the case as much as reforming other brass.
BTW, do you have a date for the Blue Press article on the MAS rifles?
Thanks, Gary. I have some .30-06 on hand that I'd planned to use to practice reloading 7.5x54 while I'm waiting for my rifle (I no longer own a .30-06). I infer that while I need to anneal fired .30-06 brass to reform, I don't need to anneal fired 7.5x54 cases that I reload. I will need to trim the cases after resizing, but that resizing won't stress the case as much as reforming other brass.
BTW, do you have a date for the Blue Press article on the MAS rifles?
Quote from The Human Manual on November 18, 2024, 8:36 pmThe article is in the outgoing Blue Press magazine, December 2024 issue. It is in the mail now. Hope you enjoy it!
The article is in the outgoing Blue Press magazine, December 2024 issue. It is in the mail now. Hope you enjoy it!
Quote from mamontb on December 1, 2024, 3:50 pmThanks! Got my copy in yesterday's mail and enjoyed the article. I wish I'd know about the "live video selection" option before I ordered my arsenal 49/56.
I will reload 7.5x54 for the MAS 49/54 using my Dillon 550B. I expect to pick up the rifle later this week after the WA mandatory semi-auto rifle waiting period has been satisfied. I have factory ammo and a Murray anti-slam fire firing pin ready to go. I'm an experienced pistol reloader but have no experience reloading rifle ammunition. I have a case trimmer and case length gauge.
I use case gauges when I reload pistol ammunition. I would like a 7.5x54 headspace gauge for cases after resizing and trimming. Is there an "off-the-shelf" gauge for a similar cartridge that I can use? Does a gauge maker offer custom gauges (perhaps adapted from an OTS gauge)?
Thanks!
Thanks! Got my copy in yesterday's mail and enjoyed the article. I wish I'd know about the "live video selection" option before I ordered my arsenal 49/56.
I will reload 7.5x54 for the MAS 49/54 using my Dillon 550B. I expect to pick up the rifle later this week after the WA mandatory semi-auto rifle waiting period has been satisfied. I have factory ammo and a Murray anti-slam fire firing pin ready to go. I'm an experienced pistol reloader but have no experience reloading rifle ammunition. I have a case trimmer and case length gauge.
I use case gauges when I reload pistol ammunition. I would like a 7.5x54 headspace gauge for cases after resizing and trimming. Is there an "off-the-shelf" gauge for a similar cartridge that I can use? Does a gauge maker offer custom gauges (perhaps adapted from an OTS gauge)?
Thanks!
Quote from The Human Manual on December 2, 2024, 5:40 pmI'm not aware of anyone offering a case gage for 7.5 x 54mm. As I also have a MAS36 rifle, i used that chamber to set my size die, then verified the same case freely chambers and extracts from my 49/56.
I'm not aware of anyone offering a case gage for 7.5 x 54mm. As I also have a MAS36 rifle, i used that chamber to set my size die, then verified the same case freely chambers and extracts from my 49/56.
Quote from mamontb on December 2, 2024, 5:51 pmI’ve contacted L.E. Wilson to get a quote for a gauge (I assume they might modify an existing gauge). Will advise on their response. In the meantime I’ll drop a sized and trimmed case into the 49/39 chamber to verify set up and spot check.
Thanks!
I’ve contacted L.E. Wilson to get a quote for a gauge (I assume they might modify an existing gauge). Will advise on their response. In the meantime I’ll drop a sized and trimmed case into the 49/39 chamber to verify set up and spot check.
Thanks!
Quote from mamontb on December 23, 2024, 1:02 amNo joy for a quote from L.E. Wilson (I believe that the cost of making a gauge would be prohibitive, not that it isn't technically feasible).
How could I use a Hornady headspace comparator set to verify 7.5x54 headspace for my 49/56?
No joy for a quote from L.E. Wilson (I believe that the cost of making a gauge would be prohibitive, not that it isn't technically feasible).
How could I use a Hornady headspace comparator set to verify 7.5x54 headspace for my 49/56?