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Hi guys

Been looking for some rare and interesting guns recently and found a 7.35x51mm Carcano for sale
I know the general history of the guns, but does anyone know anything about the availability of ammo, I've spent 30min looking for hits but nothing so far,

If there is no commercial out there, does anybody have an idea on what I could substitute for handloading

Cast boolits are the way to go, you will want something in the .301" region diameter boolit.

CBE in Australia do a nice 7.35 Carcano mould, if you can get a Lyman 300 mould they will do fine. Failing that any of the Lee 309 boolits sized down will work too.

You can also try sizing down jacketed bullets you just need to watch for spring back.

A chamber/throat/groove/bore cast is a must.

Forgot to mention the brass, I've just sized up and fireformed the Carcano 6.5 cases.

I have soft spot for the Carcano and have alot of fun from them. Interestingly the theory behind them, intermediate cartridges for ranges out to 300 yrds, seems to have been the driver of modern military calibre thinking.

The Italians might even have been ahead of the Germans and the Russians on this. Just can't remember the chronology and my references are down in Durham and I'm in Sutherland just now.

You can also try sizing down jacketed bullets you just need to watch for spring back.

Thats a interesting comment I must admit I have never considered re sizing jacketed bullits have you done this before Adam. I would be interested in more information or any experience you have had on the subject.

Yes Dave I've done it before, I use it mainly for sizing down .323" condom bullets for .319" bores, especially for my Ulster contract Steyr.

Its a doddle to do all you need is a push through sizer like the Lee (sorry Dave) one of a suitable diameter, you will need to test your bullets for springback but to be honest I don't worry about it unless I'm working with a high tolerance barrel as the amount isn't that significant in most barrels.

In the likely event that you cannot find a sizer of a suitable diameter then a smaller one cane be opened up quiet easily. Wrap a bit of emery paper around a suitably sized dowel, couple of drops of oil, put it into the die and roll it back and fore on the table or as I do on my thigh. Check the diameter often.

When at the correct diameter then just push through the condoms but be sure to lube them lightly with case lube, I use Hornady Unique to good effect, every bit as good as Imperial but loads cheaper.