[Charles Martel]

The main question is where can I get a reamer made?
Clymer is overbooked and is not taking orders. I have their drawing, is there anybody else who makes custom reamers?

I was planning to use MG34 barrel for a build - is that a good idea? I know it's a tad shorter than 1919 barrel. How long do those MG34 barrels live?

And finally, I have a choice of 7.62nato or 30-06 semi auto to use as a starting point? Which to choose? In principal, I am leaning towards 7.62 as I may end up with some ammo in that calibre to burn. Technically, is there any difference in converting 7.62 or 30 cal 1919 semi to 8x63 Swede?

Thanks for your help!

 

[30calmachinegunner]

lots of reamer manufacturers out there, here is one I like,
http://www.mansonreamers.com/

 

[Dutchpilot]

The first and most important question is: Do you live in the United States or Canada? If you live in the United States call Sarco and order part #MMP022, Swedish 8 x 63 Barrel Blank. You will find it to be an excellent condition Browning MG barrel in the chamber you want, and the most recent price I have seen is about $30.00. I believe the muzzle will need to be sleeved slightly to fit the 1919A4 bearing, and I understand you may want to open the booster a bit to compensate for the more powerful round.
If you live in Canada I would suggest buying one of the 8mm barrels available, getting a reamer from either Clymer or Manson, and rechambering the barrel.
It is my understanding the barrels are all on the US side of the border, and the ammo is all on the Canadian side. Unfortunately we apparently need to apply for an export permit to send a $30 surplus barrel blank, in a chamber that is arguably obsolete in America due to unavailability of ammunition, to Canada. Good luck.

 

[ohioblacksheep]

Dutch,

About those barrels...Along with adding a bushing to the muzzle you need to add a bushing to the breech end..There for a water cooled gun and the shank is 1.125 Dia..It should end up along the line of the A6 barrels..They ARE nice barrels...That would also be WAY cheaper than getting a reamer made....Lou

 

[Charles Martel]

Dutch,

About those barrels...Along with adding a bushing to the muzzle you need to add a bushing to the breech end..There for a water cooled gun and the shank is 1.125 Dia..It should end up along the line of the A6 barrels..They ARE nice barrels...That would also be WAY cheaper than getting a reamer made....Lou

Which Sarco barrel are you referring to? I am afraid I am just not seeing it on their site. They have a bunch of 30-06, 308 and 8x57 barrels, but not the Swede or I am missing something.

 

[Dutchpilot]

The barrel is not on the web site but it does exist. They were advertised in Shotgun News several weeks ago for $29.95 IIRC, and I called about that part number in December and was told they had 700. I have a Canadian friend who called and asked for a Swedish 8 x 63 barrel and was told they had one for $100.00; he would have paid that to get the barrel but they apparently won't ship it to Canada.
If you call and ask for that part number you will like the price much better.
We bought a few last year, sleeved them, and put in chamber inserts for 8mauser; fantastic barrel in the 1919A4, with great steel and rifling.

 

[Charles Martel]

We bought a few last year, sleeved them, and put in chamber inserts for 8mauser; fantastic barrel in the 1919A4, with great steel and rifling.

What's chamber insert?

 

[Hail Mary]

A chamber insert for this would allow a 8mm Mauser round to run in the 8x63 chamber. Basically, it would just be the shoulder portion of the 8x63 round. The U.S Military tried chamber inserts with the M1 Garand so that it would shoot 308 but found that the insert would sometimes eject with the spent round. I've used a 308 insert on a bolt action 30-06 rifle but find that even with adhesives or expoxy, the insert eventually will come out with a round.

If I remember correctly, someone on this board was selling these Sarco barrels as 8mm Mauser by setting it back and recutting the index notches but it did not work out that well.

 

[Dutchpilot]

The big question here is still are you in the US or in Canada? You won't need a chamber insert since you want to shoot the original 8 x 63 round. If you're in the US the barrel is no problem for you, but I'd love to know where I can get some of the ammo on this side of the border?

 

[Charles Martel]

The bad news is

that there is no more ammo anywhere in the world, so this project is mothballed.

I got a word that there is no more 8x63 surplus ammo on both sides of the pond.

 

[PC4]

8x63

Good thing I ordered enough to last me a lifetime in December , They had 200,000 rnds left There was still lots left after my order . I wonder where it went ??? I'll bet it got imported south of the 49th . Course what last me a lifetime gets used up in a couple of hours at Knob Creek

 

[Jke]

Did you ever get a reamer made? I need one.

 

[biffj]

I bought a bunch of the barrels from Sarco years ago when they ran the 3 for 49.95 special with free shipping. I built barrels for my 1919 out of them and converted them to 8mm mauser. It was more complicated than I initially thought as the 8X63 has a bigger diameter body in addition to the longer case. I'd still use them if I need an 8mm mauser barrel but I'd use a threaded insert to rechamber them. The bore is the same as the German 7.92 stuff. They are really good quality barrels too. I ran them as aircooled and despite the heavy use they retained good rifling longer than some of the german MG barrels.

For those looking for reamer makers you might check with JGS reamers in Oregon or Washington state. I use Manson for a lot of stuff but JGS is also an excellent maker. PTG is ok too but they're seldom able to keep their promised delivery dates.

Frank