7.35 Carcano

dhc4ever · Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:12 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

Yeah it would Paul.
But wheres the fun in that?
The rifle should be cheap, never used, dropped once...

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

PaulS wrote:

I have a question - that belies this cartridges age...

It looks like a 308 case necked down slightly between 308 and 7mm-08.
In a modern rifle would it be possible to get similar velocities?

Here I go again thinking about adopting another orphaned cartridge. Wink

It would make more sence to just get a 7-08.

PaulS - according to the International Ammunition Assn. Inc. Forum: "Listed performance of the 7.35x51 Italian on Max’s and Tony’s sites is a 128gr (8.3g) bullet at 2,480 ft/s (756 m/s). This is remarkably low performance, barely higher than 7.62x39!"

It has been stated in numerous sources that the 7.35mm Carcano, is rated between the 30-30Win and the 300 Savage. It has also been said that the Carcano is a weak action, but the Carcano was converted to fire 8x57mm, without a problem. So that proves the "weak" action comment to be false. I personally think you can get much higher velocities in the actual 7.35 Carcano, with careful reloading and watching for pressure signs.

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

dhc4ever wrote:

Yeah it would Paul.
But wheres the fun in that?
The rifle should be cheap, never used, dropped once...

The 7.35 Carcano, as well as "captured" Mosin-Nagants were used by the Finnish Army (SA) against the Russians during the Winter War, and the Continuation War. So the rifle would not be in "never used, dropped once" condition.

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

If anyone is interested, I found this article while researching 7.35 Carcano reloading data. I'm sure you'll recognize the authors name.

personal.stevens.edu/~...emary.html

PaulS - So if your interested in building a modern rifle chambered for the 7.35 Carcano, go for it. Me personally, I would just buy a 7.35 Carcano in decent shape, and develop a good load for it. Bullets & brass are available from Graf's. Dies are available from: Lee (least expensive), Hornady, and Redding (most expensive). If you decide to purchase the Lee dies, I would recommend you pick up a RCBS #9 shell holder (it fits better) or a #21 shell holder from Hornady.

pete4d · Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

OldSchoolRanger wrote:

If anyone is interested, I found this article while researching 7.35 Carcano reloading data. I'm sure you'll recognize the authors name.

personal.stevens.edu/~...emary.html

PaulS - So if your interested in building a modern rifle chambered for the 7.35 Carcano, go for it. Me personally, I would just buy a 7.35 Carcano in decent shape, and develop a good load for it. Bullets & brass are available from Graf's. Dies are available from: Lee (least expensive), Hornady, and Redding (most expensive). If you decide to purchase the Lee dies, I would recommend you pick up a RCBS #9 shell holder (it fits better) or a #21 shell holder from Hornady.

Sounds like a good plan,,,, go for it,,,,, Cheers

PaulS · Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

Pete,
I have a history of buying or making guns in orphaned cartridges but but I have the 7mm and 30 caliber field covered. besides right now I am working up accuracy loads for three other rifles and testing to see if I can tweak another for a bit smaller groups.
It will stay in the back of my mind like a 40, 45, and 50 caliber rifle I need to cover the full spectrum. Then I will have 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 and I will start working on the metric sizes. Right now I have a 6, and 7mm but I will need 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12mm for a full set.
I have a long life ahead of me so I have plenty of time to get them all.

gemihur · Posted: Thu May 18, 2023 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

Great article on the Carcano, thanks OldSchoolRanger!
There's nothing more worthwhile than breathing new life into a war relic long forgotten. Mine is the more mainstream 6.5mm and carbine length... sorta like Lee Harvey's but without the scope. I confess that I paid a whopping $40 for it at a flea market many years ago, not even knowing what it was other than the cheapest rifle on the table.