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awp101
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Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Aug 2nd, 2022 at 2:19pm
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I’ve recently been attracted to some 8.15x46R stalking rifles.  I’ve learned the hard way to check the availability of ammunition and components BEFORE buying that cool gun so I was pleasantly surprised to see cases are available.

It’s been over 20 years since I’ve loaded anything and that was just shotgun stuff on Lee Load-Alls so I’m really starting from square one when it comes to metallic reloading.

Is the 8.15 suitable for the beginner or is it for the more advanced?
  

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yamoon
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #1 - Aug 2nd, 2022 at 3:08pm
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The problem is brass. It is easily made from 30-30, but depending on the rifle, the rim may need to be thinned about .005 and reduced in diameter. RWS still makes brass, but it has very spotty availability. I shoot only cast bullets, if it is a nitro proofed rifle, it might be ok for jacketed. Some of the old rifles are soft steel. If you don’t want to cast, some companies offer cast bullets.
Mike
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #2 - Aug 2nd, 2022 at 4:18pm
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And, when using stop-ring bullets nothing could be simpler.
  
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yamoon
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #3 - Aug 2nd, 2022 at 5:33pm
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oneatatime wrote on Aug 2nd, 2022 at 4:18pm:
And, when using stop-ring bullets nothing could be simpler.

Being lazy, that’s all I shoot.
Mike
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #4 - Aug 2nd, 2022 at 6:05pm
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I'm sure that Mike would agree that the only "trick" is to use a bullet that matches your barrel. They seem to appear in several different diameters. You have to check it.
  
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awp101
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #5 - Aug 3rd, 2022 at 1:37pm
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Thanks!  I thought I had a line on brass but it looks like just because you can “add to cart” doesn’t mean it actually gets there! Cheesy

Another thing is I don’t cast nor is it in my future so a commercial source for the correct stop ring bullets would be necessary as well.

Honestly the main thing I’m curious about right now is whether it’s a fiddly caliber to load.  Some calibers seem to have a couple of loads that usually work well across multiple guns (the Skeeter load for .44 Specials for example) but other calibers…aren’t as friendly.
  

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Statesrights
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #6 - Aug 3rd, 2022 at 1:50pm
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The 8.15 is “friendly.”
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #7 - Aug 3rd, 2022 at 1:57pm
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The way supplies are now, if you are not going to cast I would suggest you forget about the 8.15x46R. Quantities of cast bullets for pistol cartridges seem to be easier to find. Look for a rifle in 357 or 44.
  
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awp101
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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #8 - Aug 4th, 2022 at 8:52am
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oneatatime wrote on Aug 3rd, 2022 at 1:57pm:
The way supplies are now, if you are not going to cast I would suggest you forget about the 8.15x46R. Quantities of cast bullets for pistol cartridges seem to be easier to find. Look for a rifle in 357 or 44.

That’s probably what I’ll end up doing.  Casting is simply a non-starter for the foreseeable future.
  

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Re: Is 8.15x46R suitable for the novice reloader?
Reply #9 - Aug 4th, 2022 at 7:59pm
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Some of the stalking rifles shoot better with fixed ammunition than with breech seating. It is a very User Friendly cartridge being basically a short .32-40. Would suggest getting set up to cast bullets, this whole thing is a down hill slide. Germans are not reloading with stop ring bullets. You will be surprised how well these rifles shoot.
  
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