sprat
Senior Member
Grafs & sons has 7.9 x 33mm brass /8mm kurz back in stock
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12654
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12654
Grafs has 7.9 x33mm brass
- Thread starter sprat
- Start date
Intruder196
Senior Member
It would be great if they got a restock of the 125 grain bullets.
Intruder196
Senior Member
I have the form dies from RCBS. So I can make them when I have spare time. It's the projectiles I really need.
sprat
Senior Member
as a avid reloader ,Im all for forming cases I can not buy IE 5.45x39mm, but if I can buy virgin brass for a specific caliber I always go that route. especially if the price is fair, my time can be utilized better, this also goes for 7.7 jap its easier to buy the brass, than making it from 30'06
yes i do make my own 5.45x39mm with custom lee dies and resize .223 projectiles to .221
yes i do make my own 5.45x39mm with custom lee dies and resize .223 projectiles to .221
casting
Casting seems like a pain in the arse but actually kind of fun once you get on a roll. I did 1150 or so of the 125 gr. 8Kurz lately using linotype. Polymer coated them and sized .324 with gas checks. They'll shoot just a little bit larger group than the Hornadys but the steel gongs don't know the difference!
I figure they cost me about 7 cents each considering buying the linotype, checks and the coating material.
We don't talk about the LABOR though!
Pete
Casting seems like a pain in the arse but actually kind of fun once you get on a roll. I did 1150 or so of the 125 gr. 8Kurz lately using linotype. Polymer coated them and sized .324 with gas checks. They'll shoot just a little bit larger group than the Hornadys but the steel gongs don't know the difference!
I figure they cost me about 7 cents each considering buying the linotype, checks and the coating material.
We don't talk about the LABOR though!
Pete
sprat
Senior Member
originally we started with 223 range pick ups ( some cheap guys still do) most of us realized 222 remington cases worked best and less malformed and split cases,
these virgin cases need to be annealed first. I use 222 rem load data. no need to modify the 5.45 bolt either
jack
Intruder196
Senior Member
Is there a case forming die set you are using? I have two rifles in that caliber and about 2500 rounds of imported ammo. But reloading this caliber is something I would like to try.
sprat
Senior Member
most of us are using a custom group buy Lee reforming dies and resizers, this group buy started on gunco, then weaponsguild, then the two main ak sites. lee will only make them in large groups.( same guy running the buy). I did see a set for sale recently, but forget what site.. there is another company that makes the dies, since I do not need them I forgot the name sorry getting old too many beers under my belt!
also hornady sells 221 projectiles with ballistic tips
bolt
Pete
Interesting that the 5.45 bolt works OK with the 5.56 case head size considering the 5.56 being smaller and having a thinner rim.
Pete
Waffentag
Senior Member
Wow! You will not save any money at those prices!
I paid $600 plus shipping for a thousand rounds last year from Coles Distr. I shot half of it and have been reloadig the cases with cast lead bullets.
Last time that I bought Hornady125 grain bullets, they went for $22 a box of 100 bullets.
So, $400 for brass, over $200 for bullets, plus primers and powder and your time. Now, I love to reload, I have my Dillion 550B set up to kick out a complete 8x33 round with each pull of the handle. I have loaded thousands of rounds for my PTR44 and MP44, including over 1000 rounds of lead cast 125 grain 8mm bullets.
I would recommend that you check with Coles before you pay that much for brass! Buy the rounds, shoot them and then when you reload your first thousand, it is like you just saved $400��
I paid $600 plus shipping for a thousand rounds last year from Coles Distr. I shot half of it and have been reloadig the cases with cast lead bullets.
Last time that I bought Hornady125 grain bullets, they went for $22 a box of 100 bullets.
So, $400 for brass, over $200 for bullets, plus primers and powder and your time. Now, I love to reload, I have my Dillion 550B set up to kick out a complete 8x33 round with each pull of the handle. I have loaded thousands of rounds for my PTR44 and MP44, including over 1000 rounds of lead cast 125 grain 8mm bullets.
I would recommend that you check with Coles before you pay that much for brass! Buy the rounds, shoot them and then when you reload your first thousand, it is like you just saved $400��
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sprat
Senior Member
shortfal and I bought alot of 7.9x33mm from Coles last year, this was aheads up for those who want brass
pete
yes few and I mean very few have a problem using the 5.45mm bolt with 222/223 rimmed brass, in fact some guys doing conversions from 5.45 to 223 are retaining the 5.45 bolts because 223 bolts do not fit in 74 bolt carriers, 223 bolts only fit in 47 bolt carriers.
I have one conversion using a 5.45mm bolt I have never personally had a ejector or extraction issue.
some folks modify the extractor inside to fit tighter, some file back the bolt under the extractor ( since the bolt head is hardened I do not recommend this)
also the 222/223 cartridge is thinner towards the base, so the 222/223 converted case will fireform for the next reload
Jack
reloading 8X33.
Something I have never seen discussed is the 8X33 fired cases needing trimming. I've seen once fired FNM cases needing more than .020 trimmed off to get them to the published trim to length. They vary a lot with some being quite long and some dead on the correct length after firing.
I give my lead bullet reloads a light kind of taper crimp using the size die so it's important they all be the same length.
Anyone else seeing this case length issue?
Pete
Something I have never seen discussed is the 8X33 fired cases needing trimming. I've seen once fired FNM cases needing more than .020 trimmed off to get them to the published trim to length. They vary a lot with some being quite long and some dead on the correct length after firing.
I give my lead bullet reloads a light kind of taper crimp using the size die so it's important they all be the same length.
Anyone else seeing this case length issue?
Pete
Waffentag
Senior Member
A mystery.
Pete, I have never needed to trim my FNM cases, once fired cases come out at 1.280, this is strange with trim length at 1.290 and a Max length of 1.299.
Now, I have to watch my Prvi brass, i have had trim the Prvi and I still I have a can of Prvi that needs trimming.
Did you ever try my lead cast bullets? The groups got worse since I started crimping with the Lee crimper? I was getting better groups before?
Pat
Pete, I have never needed to trim my FNM cases, once fired cases come out at 1.280, this is strange with trim length at 1.290 and a Max length of 1.299.
Now, I have to watch my Prvi brass, i have had trim the Prvi and I still I have a can of Prvi that needs trimming.
Did you ever try my lead cast bullets? The groups got worse since I started crimping with the Lee crimper? I was getting better groups before?
Pat
