doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGuns For Sale @ doublegunshop.com WTB .375-303 Axite WR express brass

My 1896 Steyr rifle finally arrived today. Luckily the dies came with it. It's a longshot but does anyone know of any brass? Looking for some. Thanks

Hi Mike,

According to Nonte’s Cartidge Conversions 9.3 x 74R brass will work if trimmed to 2.485” and sized in your full length sizing die until the bolt will close.

He suggests using .310” bullets but the suggestion to first slug your bore is a good one.

Mike,
The "book" says head diameter of the 375-303 Axite WR is .457" while most give the 9.3x74R as .468". By measuring cases, over the years, I believe noted that the 9.3 cases are generally a little smaller than that and I noted that some Norma cases were as small as .462". Tolerances for chambers are "plus" tolerances by an amount set by the maker. Consequently, there is a reasonable chance that 9.3X74R cases will work with little modification. There is no doubt that absent purpose made cases, the 9.3 is the best choice. The easiest will likely be new (unfired= not expanded) Norma cases, trimmed as described by Parabola. If that doesn't quite work, I suggest you try removing the expander assembly from the FL sizing die that came with the rifle (to allow driving any stuck cases out with a punch), and run a case into the die, all the way to the rim. To do this, you should either use a smaller shell holder or place a flat piece of metal on the one you have. You may need to adjust the rim diameter/thickness, but maybe not. If this still not work, PM me and we can work out a way to do it.
Mike

Mike why wouldn't the .303 brit be a better choice? I've read that the 2 1/2" .375 flanged is suppose to be a necked up .303 brit case. per google. The inclusion of ".375" in the cartridge's name leads to some confusion,[3] but a comparison of case base diameters suggest it refers to the older .375 Flanged NE 21⁄2, a naming consistent with other British hunting cartridges of the era such as the .450/400 Nitro Express, .577/500 Nitro Express, etc.[1] Since .375 Flanged NE is itself a necked-up and lengthened .303 British, .375/303 appears to be its second-generation derivative.

I think I would go with .375 2&1/2" as the parent case, it should be as simple as running it through the sizing die and trimming to length I believe. The 303 case will be a fair bit short I would think.

The 375 x 2 1/2" Flanged is made from 405 Winchester

The 303 case is way too short

Whichever case you convert, be sure to put a good radius on the back edge of the rim so the cartridges will feed correctly out of the Steyr clip.

Mike Harrel,
The 303 Brit. is even shorter than 30-40, which would be better but not ideal. The problem with .375 2-1/2" is that it also is hard to find; there was a recent query in this forum for .373 2- 1/2" cases and I suggested 9.3X74 R for them also.
Mike