Lee Karabiner

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  • Last Post 21 June 2015
Ervin posted this 18 June 2015

Does anyone know the average weight of the Lee 8mm Karabiner.

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onondaga posted this 18 June 2015

It won't be far from the Lee specification, it is more important to get the bullet sized to a sliding fit to the chamber throat of your rifle and use an alloy appropriate to your load level.

You don't have a choice anyway, the mold will throw what it throws in bullet weight for your alloy.

Fortunately cast bullet weights are pretty non critical altogether. It is your skill as a caster that determines how close in weight your bullets are to the average weight you cast for the mold. At my best, I stay within 1% of the average. It takes work and practice, some guys don't even get close and are still happy with the way they shoot.

On a brighter note, custom molds from good shops will make molds to throw specific weight from a specific alloy.

Gary

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Ervin posted this 18 June 2015

Thanks for the reply. I am afraid you misunderstood my request. Unable to find the specs, I simply wanted to know what the weight is.

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tturner53 posted this 19 June 2015

Stand by. I've got some casted up some where out in the pit. I'll find 'em and weigh a couple. They aint light.

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Ervin posted this 19 June 2015

Thanks everyone. I finally found the Lee specs. 215 gr. This is what I was after. Sorry I didn't request “Lee specs” in the beginning and caused confusion.

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tturner53 posted this 20 June 2015

Found 'em. I have both molds from Midsouth, the 8mm Karabiner and the 8mm Max. My Karabiners weigh 238 gr. ready to load lubed and wearing a Sage aluminium gas check. The Sage checks seem to be the best fit on this bullet. My 'Max' mold gives 255 gr. RTL. All using COWW +1%. Both molds give FAT bullets that I size down to .326.

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gnoahhh posted this 21 June 2015

Beat me to it. My Karabiner bullets weigh 235gr., lubed and checked with Hornady checks, but my alloy is a bit harder. 70/30 COWW+lino.

Because the bullet is intended for worn milsurp throats, I have to doctor mine to fit in my pristine milsurp throat (BRNO 1943). I lube/size to .324, then press the bullet nose first into a 2-step die with a .324 major diameter and .316+ minor diameter to squeeze the bore riding nose down. A bit extra work but the end justifies the means. It shoots very nicely.

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tturner53 posted this 21 June 2015

Either the Karabiner or Max would make good hunting bullets, IMHO. High sectional densities and healthy meplats. I could see either one traversing thru a big critter and doing a lot of damage en route. For you guys interested in the 8x57 there's a great article in the latest Fouling Shot magazine, by John Rhodes.

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