"New" Berthier

The country that avoids war and the country that fights but has a hard time winning have been combined. The Swiss made some excellent firearms and the French made some unique and occasionally inspiring ones. We have added the Belgian and Dutch since they are neighbors.

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DSchnopp
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"New" Berthier

Post by DSchnopp » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:56 am

I bought my first Berthier about two weeks ago. I saw it at a gunshow in August and passed it by. A friend of mine bought it and immediately regreted it. It was a rustmaster special but cleaned up quite well. It is an 07/15 built at Chattelerault (sp) in 1916. I loaded a batch of ammo but haven't had it to the range yet.

Dave
1975-1977

3rd Platoon Co. A 1st/70th Armor

1977-1978
HHC 2nd Bde 4th Infantry Division
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DuncaninFrance
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PICS!

Post by DuncaninFrance » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:33 pm

Where are the pics Dave?! Will be interested to see the range report. :bigsmile:
Duncan

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DSchnopp
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Post by DSchnopp » Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:09 pm

Let me 1. get on my computer at home and 2. figure out how to download.

Dave
1975-1977

3rd Platoon Co. A 1st/70th Armor

1977-1978
HHC 2nd Bde 4th Infantry Division
DSchnopp
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Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by DSchnopp » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:42 am

I shot the Berthier the weekend before last. I think it has a headspace issue. More later.

Dave
1975-1977

3rd Platoon Co. A 1st/70th Armor

1977-1978
HHC 2nd Bde 4th Infantry Division
DSchnopp
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Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by DSchnopp » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:09 am

On a couple of other forums, i'm told that i don't have a headspace issue. I've heard that the 8mm Lebel brass that Grafs has is formed from another round and is a little out of spec. Also it is supposed to be a little on the brittle side.

Dave
1975-1977

3rd Platoon Co. A 1st/70th Armor

1977-1978
HHC 2nd Bde 4th Infantry Division
1886lebel
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Post by 1886lebel » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:54 am

Graf Brass is not reformed out of another calibre but it seems that if you have a N maked rifle the brass does not last as long as the throat is a bit larger and the brass swells and when you re-size it it goes back to .323 diameter and when you fire it again it just swells back up and this causes the brass to become brittle in the neck.

I have found that if you anneal the brass every four to fifth reloading the brass last much longer and you have to anneal it before the first firing as alot split the first time.

Headspace on a rimmed cartridge is not a big deal as it headspaces on the rim and nothing else so unless the rim diameter is way off you will not have a problem

Patrick
Vive la République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"

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DSchnopp
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Post by DSchnopp » Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:03 am

Thanks. I didn't see an "N" marked on the receiver anywhere. You are, however, describing what my rifle did. I loaded another batch of ammo with a lighter load but haven't shot it yet.

Dave
1975-1977

3rd Platoon Co. A 1st/70th Armor

1977-1978
HHC 2nd Bde 4th Infantry Division
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