7.5 French reloading

[Cessnapilot89]

Hey Guys,

Do you have any tips for reloading 7.5 French for my MAS 36? What Dies, should I get and are there any sources for brass?

[Gowking]

OP, did you even try searching for 7.5x54 brass and dies?

[Cessnapilot89]

OP, did you even try searching for 7.5x54 brass and dies?

Umm, yes I have. Found a plethora of dies from different manufacturers and PPU and Bertram brass, trying to find out what others have used with success here before I invest a bunch into something that turns out is junk. Thanks though.

[Gowking]

Die selection comes down to personal preference really. An RCBS 3 die set should serve you well. You will probably have to purchase the neck size only die separately to make a 3 die set. No need for expensive Bertram brass as the PPU well be just fine.

[smle-man]

I use Lee dies. Until I lucked into a sizeable quantity of 7.5 Hornady and PP boxer brass I converted 6.5x55 Swede brass to 7.5 MAS. It is easy to do, just run a virgin case through the 7.5 MAS sizing die. Lube the decapping rod well but don't overlube the outside of the case or you will get grease dents in the case shoulder.

You should anneal the case neck and mouth of the resized 6.5 cases but I didn't bother, just used them resized. They are good for about 6 or so cycles before I get case mouth cracks. I use them in my MAS 49/56 which isn't all that easy on brass to begin with.

For a MAS 36 any primer will do, but if you get into any of the MAS semi auto rifles, be sure to use CCI 34 primers or you will get slam fires.

[Cessnapilot89]

Thanks guys I appreciate it!

[Bainter1212]

Late to the party here.

I have found PPU projectiles for the 7.5 french to measure a bit less than .308. I have pulled the bullets from PPU factory rounds and replaced them with some Nosler CC 140gr bullets I picked up on sale a few years back. Works well.
I like the Lee FCD die set. I prefer a good crimp when loading for the 49/56.
The 49/56 can be prone to slam fire. I cured mine by flattening the tip of my firing pin ever so slightly. Now I don't have to mess with special primers.

[mj1]

We had a local guy in Monterey who was making 7.5 from .280 brass and .308 game kings using .308 loading data. He was wicked accurate at 200 yards with his MAS36.

[kramynot]

I use the Lee 2-die set and PPU brass. I used to form 30'06 brass into 7.5 mas but when the PPU brass became available I switched over because the brass formed from 30'06 tends to bulge a bit.

For bullets I cast using the Lee 160gr 30cal mold and size to 308.

I don't crimp since I'm only loading for a MAS 36.

I load all my milsurps nice and light with a 100yrd plinking load using about 8gr Bullseye or Unique and a mid-level load with 4895. All works well for me and with the light loads you can shoot all day.

[H3nchman]

I have not started loading, but I did buy lee dies. Lee supplies load date with the dies which is nice. Both of my manuals do not have 7.5 French. I have heard you can use 308 data though.

[Cessnapilot89]

Thanks guys! I appreciate it! Got some dies and components coming.

[knucklehead0202]

Have not reloaded yet for my 36/51, but bought LEE dies because they've worked so well for me in all the other weird chamberings i have. I have shot the rifle with Prvi ammo so i have a good amount of brass. Prvi brass is very high quality so i'd recommend getting some of the loaded ammo, shooting it and then reloading. It will also give you an idea of how it should shoot when loaded properly.

[dfletcher]

Hey Guys,

Do you have any tips for reloading 7.5 French for my MAS 36? What Dies, should I get and are there any sources for brass?

I went through Grafs for my MAS 49/56 reloading. They have the dies, both Lee's and RCBS, PP brass and 30 caliber bullets for the 7.5 French. I'm 99% sure I use plain old .308 diameter, probably 155 FMJ bought in bulk, even though the bore diameter of the 7.5 is a tad under the 7.62.

Just tossing out an idea - Hornady sells short, regular and long neck sizer dies in most popular calibers. Since you'll most likely be using 308 diameter bullets and the MAS 36 is a bolt gun, why not neck resize only and dispense with greasing up the entire case? You can get the Lee set and the Hornady neck die for about $45.00 total. The Hornady neck die has an elliptical inside neck sizer that looks like a football pulled thin at each end, darn thing just slides right through the neck so easy.

[crufflers]

I still have not shot my MAS36.

[crufflers]

OT, how's the PPU 7.5x54? Anyone shot any in a 36? On-topic, might be a decent way to get some brass.