Here's a nifty, little cartridge I developed last year that's just perfect for a Cadet that needs a new barrel because someone got overly
"creative". Buy a new barrel in .308", about 26" long and profiled as you wish ... get a set of Lee .30 Mauser (7.62 X 25) dies ... a
Lyman "M" die for .30 Carbine ... a box of Sierra .30 Mauser RNSP 85gr bullets ... and lastly some Starline .38 Long Colt brass. You'll
also need a shell holder for the .38 Long Colt brass.
The base diameter is only a couple of thousandths shy of that for the .30 Mauser, but the Long Colt brass reforms without protest and if you just neck size when reloading there is no problem as the cartridge's base fireforms nicely to fill out the chamber. I consider the use of the "M" die for this case a must because it ensures true bullet seating and you can't get that without the "M" die ... believe me, I know! If you can rent a .30 Mauser finish reamer and can cut the rim relief yourself, you're good to go. My gunsmith, Dale Hegstrom, LITTLE CROW GUN WORKS 6593-113th Ave., N.E. Suite "C" Spicer, MN 56288 (320) 796-5030 built one for me last year and it's a real sweetie! The cartridge is very MH like in looks (I think it's just cute as a bug's ear) and the 7.62 X 25 is nothing to sneeze at. It posts very respectable velocities and when fired in a Cadet, it speaks with a nice, sharp "CRACK" that let's you know it's a serious cartridge ... and there's just enough recoil ... a gentle, but firm push-back, to make you smile with every pull of the trigger. Make up 100 rounds minimum ... it's just that much fun to shoot!
I like finding old Cadets that have been messed with and developing odd-ball cartridges for them ...or have them rebuilt is some obscure caliber ... like my .30 Wesson Short to go with my standard .30 Wesson Long ... but's that another story for another day.
Cheers and Happy Shooting,
Bill Kestell
The base diameter is only a couple of thousandths shy of that for the .30 Mauser, but the Long Colt brass reforms without protest and if you just neck size when reloading there is no problem as the cartridge's base fireforms nicely to fill out the chamber. I consider the use of the "M" die for this case a must because it ensures true bullet seating and you can't get that without the "M" die ... believe me, I know! If you can rent a .30 Mauser finish reamer and can cut the rim relief yourself, you're good to go. My gunsmith, Dale Hegstrom, LITTLE CROW GUN WORKS 6593-113th Ave., N.E. Suite "C" Spicer, MN 56288 (320) 796-5030 built one for me last year and it's a real sweetie! The cartridge is very MH like in looks (I think it's just cute as a bug's ear) and the 7.62 X 25 is nothing to sneeze at. It posts very respectable velocities and when fired in a Cadet, it speaks with a nice, sharp "CRACK" that let's you know it's a serious cartridge ... and there's just enough recoil ... a gentle, but firm push-back, to make you smile with every pull of the trigger. Make up 100 rounds minimum ... it's just that much fun to shoot!
I like finding old Cadets that have been messed with and developing odd-ball cartridges for them ...or have them rebuilt is some obscure caliber ... like my .30 Wesson Short to go with my standard .30 Wesson Long ... but's that another story for another day.
Cheers and Happy Shooting,
Bill Kestell
