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Unread 05-19-2010, 05:57 PM   #18
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Double Trouble
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9.3 x 72 R.

It's definitely a "handloading only" proposition, as standard dimensions for this caliber (and probably others in Germany in the early days of the 1900's) didn't exist. (Standards were established later, but definitely not in 1904, when mine was made) As a result, an old RWS round will drop right into the chamber, but the rim is too thick to close the gun. Some shells (empty cases, that is...) came with the gun & they were formed/fabricated from Norma 9.3 x 74 R (oddly enough). The must have had the rims thinned, because they chamber perfectly. I've loaded these cases (filled to the top with 3F black powder) & hammered in a .358 pistol bullet. They shot well (ie: bullet stabilized & did not keyhole in the target), but accurace was not good. My bore slugs at 0.359, so that bullet was too small & too soft.

Some day I'll reload it right (with smokeless powder).
John Mazza is offline   Reply With Quote