ThanksHello and welcome!
ThanksHello and welcome!
Thank you. I'll be patientThe big Tulsa show is a few weeks away.
You might find a set of used dies there.
Any of the custom die makers may be able to help. I have gotten odd stuff from C&H in the past.
They may request a chamber casting to verify what you have (its not unheard of for a US gunsmith to rechamber a European gun in something similar that was more available in this country and not note the change on the barrel.)
Molds - I usually turn my own, but most don't have a shop like mine.
Slug the bore and start checking the usual suspects, if that does no work out, go to the custom boys.
Remember you can reduce the diameter a few thou in a resizing press, so a perfect as cast diameter is not a show stopper.
The hand loaders manual of cartridge conversions says 30/30 is a good source for parent brass, so 38/55 would also work.
They don't list a mix and match set of dies to use as a work around.
Unless you have access to a machine shop, making your own dies or modifying existing ones is probably a poor use of your time and money.
Good reloading data is probably the more important thing.
Start with the proof marks on the barrel and see if its proofed for smokeless or just black powder.
In the old days a lot of European shells were loaded by the maker of the gun and you went back to them for more ammo.
The brass came from a small group of makers and was more or less standardized, but the loads varied.
The point is, what worked for another, may not be safe for you.
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