[Humpy]

I fell into my Daudeteau back in mid 70s for 55.00. Did not get to shoot it until about 79 or 80s when I called Huntington and was told one of the employees there had obtained one in a gun show and they cast the chamber and made a reamer and wallah!!!! they had dies. My friend also had one and we both ordered a set of dies. I called Huntington about 91 and they said at that time they had only made three sets including one for their employee.

Insofar as making brass, 7.62X54 IS THE WAY TO GO with one advisory. I used Norma once fired cases and formed them up and about half OF THESE broke IN HALF about one inch from from rim on FIRST firing. I then stress relieved them half way down the case and have never had a failure since.

The best way I have found to stress relieve is to turn a case holder that will hold it from rod stock about 5/8" diameter. Turn one end down to 3/8" about one inch long. This is the end that will go in drill.
Bore the other end about one inch deep and big enough the 7.62 X 54 case will fall in and stop.

Set up propane torch to where the bright blue flame is about one inch long. JUST BARELY ON and will take some fine adjustments. As the case is turning in the drill (about 100 RPM) put the case BODY in the flame to where the bright blue flame is just touching the case. This will take some trial to see what works best but start with flame about 1/4" below the shoulder and start to count in seconds. (Note: to achieve stress relief further down the case you may need to start 3/8" below the neck or 1/2". Experience is the best teacher here. On a case this size at about 6 seconds you will just just he slightest color change of the brass in one small band, when you see this immediately move the case so the flame follows the case to the neck in one motion lasting not over a second. DO NOT WAIT TILL THE WHOLE THING TURNS BLUE ! ! ! ! If you do you have probably burned the brass.

Again as soon as you see it change pull the drill body away running the flame towards the neck (somewhat quickly and keep it moving) and then point drill down and drop it on towel. DO NOT DROP IN WATER ! ! ! ! I found best way is to hold drill against your stomach with it turned on and variable speed set to low rpm. Hold drill with both hands and it takes alot of strain off the hands. My drills are 3/8" Craftsman as they not only are variable they can be set to run slow. My big 1/2" Milwaukee is variable but won't hold the slow RPM with out a lot of strain.

What you are looking for is a bright blue finish which you will see happen as the case is dropped onto the towel. Applying the heat to the body AND NOT THE NECK for the 6 or so seconds will keep the neck from getting overheated as obviously it is thin at that point. This should give you a BRIGHT BLUE tinge about 1/2" below the shoulder.

You don't need to wear gloves in this operation as you never touch a hot case. Just be careful not to touch the holder as it will get hot. When finished I lay my drill on a concrete floor so it will not touch anything until the holder cools.

Oh yes on Craftsmans drills the front is supported by a bushing. You need to lube these with Mobil 1 synthetic oil occasionally and they will last for many years. If you have a drill that is loose and you have a lathe you can make a mandrell, push out the old bushing and press in another bushing you have made and you are good to go again. I got replacement bushing from Sears parts house. They are pennies.

Look at a Lake City 308 case to see what the color you are trying to achieve.

It will take you a few cases to get the technique down but once you do you will turn out cases with a blue tinge that would make the girls at Lake City envious.

ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND PROPANE TORCHES HAVE RUINED MORE CASES THAN THEY HELPED SO GO EVER SO GENTLY BECAUSE ONCE BRASS IS "BURNED" IT IS RUINED.

 

[Humpy]

Just wondering does anyone have any data on the accuracy potential of the Daudeteau's? I have dies for mine and loaded for it years ago but now I think I have a source of excellent 7.62X54 Russian brass (PRVI Partizan is excellent in 7.5 Swiss so I am figuring it will be excellent in this caliber as well - Graf & Sons has some due in Jan 09) and thought I would start shooting it again.

Just wondered what kind of accuracy others have had shooting these?

I noted someone used 6.5x53 Dutch load data but I cannot locate load data for this either.

Does anyone know what the chamber pressures were on the factory ammo?

I looked mine over closely with a bore scope and it appears to have about 500 rounds downbore since new and some jerk has managed to damage the crown in the process. Before I go to the trouble to recrown it I would like to know what kind accuracy it should be capable of. Shooting it before my recollection is it shot about six inches at 100 yards but I wasn't using bullets in the 140-150 range either.

Any load data would be appreciated. thanks guys. Merry Christmas

 

[Humpy]

Tried out a new load for my Daudeteau today at 200 yards.
35 Grains Varget under Sierra 140 Gr. Matchkind bullet, Win LR Primer, Norma Cases (half neck sized) (till I get some PRVI).

5 shot group at 200 yards (after barrel warmed up) was 7 1/8" high and 4" wide. I loaded them just off the lands.

Rifle printed 15" high and 13" left of Point of Aim (POA). First time I have shot it since 1996 I think. Did not chronograph it.

If this had been a 10 shot group it would have easily met acceptance for M16 family on military contracts which is 4.5" at 100 yards.

I am going to change my bench technique next time I try this load. Today I had non shooting hand on rear sand bag. Next time I am going to firm hold forearm and see if POA and POI ( point of impact) and closer. With that long barrel I suspect there is movement before the bullet clears the muzzle.

 

[Humpy]

Interesting development on load I just shot. Seems I may have been lucky as the load density was too low. Normally the load density is recommended to be 80% of case volume. Check the max loads in the reloading books and multiply max listed load by .80 and you will see the min suggested load is right there.

I decided to check case volume (water weight) and found that the 7.62X54 Russian case fired in my Daudeteau chamber held 63 grains of water.

Did some research on 6.5 ammo in the excellent Quick Load Program for a case that held close to the same amount of water and amazingly I found a 6.5 case that held 63 grains of water as well.

I have a number of 80% loads calculated out and will try some of these.

Once I confirm they are safe in my rifle I will post the load and chrono readings . Supposedly these things shot 150s and delivered 2300 fps so I figure 140s should make 2450-2500 fps range and still be in safe area.

 

[Humpy]

Just came in from testing another load. I have had PMs about loads from different folks and last one calculated on a loading program was 46 gr. WC852 (slow lot), 140 Sierra Matchking, Win LR primer. I just loaded up 12 rounds and I let time slip up on me and there wasn't enough light to set up chronograph so I just sand bagged the action and fired one in backstop. Took a look at the case, no problem and commenced to fire five more on the target.

This was at 200 yards so I took the hike after the five and was pleasantly surprised. Five shot group measured 4.801" extreme spread with four shots going 3.788". The bore had ER in it when I test fired first shot and then went for the target so the chances are the bore was still wet.

I stopped at six rounds and have six more to chronograph. This lot of WC852 and has almost the same velocity characteristics as MR3100.

Next time I will increase load one grain and see what velocity is and report back.

Ammo loaded with same weight of each gave only 15 fps different velocity difference in 30.06 with 168s.

The load gave the impression of being much lower pressure than the Varget load I tried which is exactly where I want to be with this old fella.

I will also try some 4350 and MR3100 as time permits.

I got the WC 852 from GIbrass.com and can give someone the lot number if they are interested. Then again he may not have any more.

 

[Humpy]

Ammo load test conducted 12/29/2008 6.5 Daudeteau (1871 Mauser action made 1879) , Temp 67 deg F, Elevaton 300 feet ASL
Propellant WC852 Lot 47287, Winchester LR Primers, Sierra 140 Gr. Matchking bullets
Norma Brass, OAL 2.780” (just off rifling and perfect length laying in loading tray prior to bolt closure.

Test 1 46 Grains WC852 ES 53, SD 22, Average Velocity 2572 fps (5 rounds)
Test 2 46.5 Grains WC852 ES 57, SD 21, Average Velocity 2604fps (6 rounds)
Test 3 47.0 Grains WC852 ES 32, SD 13, Average Velocity 2638 (6 rounds)

Note Lot 47287 was a slow lot of WC852. The gov’t load in 30.06 ball was 60.1 grains for this lot. There are two variants of WC852, fast and slow. Any lot requiring more than 54 grains to obtain velocity was wavered and classified as a slow lot. The slowest of these lots required nearly 62 grains to obtain velocity and was only authorized for MG use and not authorized for Garand rifles. Lots requiring less than 54 Grains were considered fast lots.

 

[Humpy]

Final load data on rifle done today.

45.3 Gr. N160, 140 Gr. Sierra MK, Win Primer, formed Norma brass

10 Round Chronograph run

Low 2630
High 2680
ES 50
Average Velocity 2655
SD 13

Apparently the barrels on these rifles are not stress relieved as once the barrel started to get warm it started walking. First six shots were 1 3/4" at 100 yards, then shots started diving towards 6 o'clock. Last four shots group opened up to 5 15/16" 9 shots go in 4 7/16".

Sight in lowest position POA 6 O'clock on 25 yard rapid fire pistol target fired at 100 yards. Vertical group. From POA first six shots are 1" right and 3" above point of aim.

Striker spring is soft. Bolt was disassembled, spring stretched and reassembled. 48 hours later the spring is back to the same length thus allowing reverse primer flow to some extent.

 

[Humpy]

Don't know about this action but the original ones made on the 71 Mauser actions start about $350.00 and go up.

Order ammo???? I think you better plan on making your own from 7;.62X54 Russian brass. I am waiting for Grafs to get a big load of PRVI brass for this caliber now. I like the PRVI brass (already using it in 7.5 Swiss) over the Norma brass.

When working the brass you need to stress relieve the area starting about a half inch below the shoulder and let the heat run to the neck.
YOU DO WANT WANT TO TURN THEM RED WHEN HEATING ! ! ! !

YOU WANT THEM TO COME OUT LIGHT BLUE

STRESS RELIEVE THEM BEFORE AND AFTER FORMING OR YOU WILL LOSE CASES ON FIRST FIRING DUE TO NECK SPLITS, SHOULD EXPANSION AND SHOULD SPLITS.



Loads listed work fine in MY RIFLE and they are the min listed loads.

I think if I was going out to buy a propellant for this thing I would get V V N165. No faster than N160. WC852 slow will be hard to find as GI Brass . com (where I got mine) is out of it for several years now.

I would not go any heavier and lighter can get you into trouble with loads below 80% of case volume.

Dies are going to be exciting to find as well. Me and my buddy got the 2nd and third sets RCBS ever made. Here is some more poop and pics.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=4545&goto=newpost

 

[Humpy]

Don't know about valueable but you have sure joined an exclusive club. "International Daudeteau Shooters Union" haha I started loading for it in 1980. Anybody predate that?

I have a contact in Uruguay who knows folks that like them and he has tried to get data from the government there. Seems they had a civil war there in early 1900s and alot of stuff was burned. I have asked him to go to them and ask about records.

They were also built on Remington Rolling Blocks. One was on Gunbroker.com a while back. It didn't sell and may be there now. Even has a picture of armorers working on them.