Search found 513 matches

by DWalt
Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:50 pm
Forum: Troubleshooting / Maintenance
Topic: .300 Savage forming from .308win
Replies: 8
Views: 6374

Re: .300 Savage forming from .308win

I have formed hundreds of .300 Savage cases from .308 and 7.62 NATO cases without incident. One pass through a .300 FL die is all it takes. I cut the necks of re-formed cases to length using a small tubing cutter. Works like a charm. The only cases I have experienced difficulties with are Federal's,...
by DWalt
Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:14 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: My model 81 barrel tool
Replies: 31
Views: 10794

Re: My model 81 barrel tool

You can get by very easily without any special tools whatsoever if all you want to do is to remove and re-install the barrel and spring from the outer tube. But some here are sensitive about my describing how it is done.
by DWalt
Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:59 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: reloading remington 30 cal.
Replies: 11
Views: 5078

Re: reloading remington 30 cal.

If you have access to a small lathe, it is fairly simple to make .30 Rem cases from .30-30 brass. Just turn back the rim diameter and cut an extraction groove. You can use .30-30 dies to re-load, but do not run the cases all the way in, maybe short by around 1/4". Cases will fire form on the fi...
by DWalt
Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:50 am
Forum: General
Topic: Adam Lee's Savage 720 project
Replies: 30
Views: 33806

Re: Adam Lee's Savage 720 project

I may have posted this before regarding the Stevens pump, but I don't remember. In any event, it's worth a second look. http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetective ... 69415042//
by DWalt
Fri Feb 07, 2014 2:50 pm
Forum: Welcome Wagon
Topic: from the Buckeye State
Replies: 2
Views: 3384

Re: from the Buckeye State

I think it's possible to easily form .25 Rem brass from .30 Rem cases, even though I have not done it. Not that those are that available either, but much more available than .25 Rem cases. I imagine .25-35 Winchester dies would work, in much the same way that .30-30 Winchester dies work OK for loadi...
by DWalt
Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:42 am
Forum: General
Topic: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.
Replies: 26
Views: 20553

Re: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.

Having never done business with Messrs. Chicoine, I don't know anything about their business practices. However, even in their circumstances, it's absolutely unconscionable to not work somthing out with their customers or ship their guns back to them, fixed or unfixed, immediately. I think expecting...
by DWalt
Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:14 am
Forum: General
Topic: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?
Replies: 12
Views: 9222

Re: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?

Yes, the specs I mentioned would be the hardness/tensile strengths of the gun parts. Unless original manufacturing component drawings were available, I don't know how that information could be obtained.

I don't believe there is much to be gained by proceeding any further.
by DWalt
Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:32 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?
Replies: 12
Views: 9222

Re: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?

Of course, you could check the hardness anywhere, but what of value would that tell you? There is a fairly linear relationship between steel hardness and tensile strength, but how can you know what the tensile strength should be without having original factory specs?
by DWalt
Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:30 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?
Replies: 12
Views: 9222

Re: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?

Note that the receiver itself is not under much stress at firing, because the bolt locks into a barrel extension. Any failure would occur there, not in the receiver. Actually, the Model 8/81 mechanism could probably have been designed to work inside an aluminum receiver, somewhat like the M16 does.
by DWalt
Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:21 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.
Replies: 26
Views: 20553

Re: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.

Here's the story from another website. Translation - You are unlikely to get your gun or your money back anytime soon, if ever. Take whatever steps you need to attempt recovery. "Dave Jr. has simply been overwhelmed in trying to handle the shop's backlog that was on hand when Dave Sr. was stric...
by DWalt
Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:51 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.
Replies: 26
Views: 20553

Re: Angry as heck, gun shop issues.

Chicoine Sr. has been out of action due to a heart problem or something similar for over two years. His son has apparently taken over the shop, and is not doing very well at it. The place used to have a good reputation for its work on old handguns, but apparently that is now long in the past. I'd pr...
by DWalt
Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:45 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?
Replies: 12
Views: 9222

Re: NEED rockwell hardness of Model 8 reciever?

What's the purpose? Hardness is not likely to be common knowledge, and someone would need access to a good machine shop that has a Rockwell hardness tester. Not many have one in their garage. I have been trying to get similar information on some revolver parts, but with no luck. I used to have acces...
by DWalt
Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:44 am
Forum: General
Topic: Old Ammo-How Safe?
Replies: 7
Views: 6141

Re: Old Ammo-How Safe?

Old ammunition is seldom unsafe, at least in regard to firing it. In general, about the worst that can happen with old ammunition is that it won't fire when you pull the trigger due to a deteriorated primer. That's usually the result of long storage at high temperatures. I've even found WWI-era ammu...
by DWalt
Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:57 pm
Forum: Other Remingtons'
Topic: Project Custom Mannlicher Mauser begins
Replies: 27
Views: 21028

Re: Project Custom Mannlicher Mauser begins

I sporterized a M94 Swede long ago. I bought the carbine for about $20 from Montgomery Wards in about 1958-59, and bought a semi-finished stock from the old Interarms operation in Alexandria VA (previously mentioned). I was working in DC at the time. Certainly not as nice a job as yours, but it shot...
by DWalt
Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:59 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Model 8 Government trials model?? Could one be for sale??
Replies: 5
Views: 5046

Re: Model 8 Government trials model?? Could one be for sale?

"One I recall was a US NAVY stamped S&W Victory model .38 revolver, in excellent condition, for $650" That's a very good price for a Victory that is Navy-marked and is authentic, assuming it's not badly beat up. Serial numbers run from about 980000 up to about V 265000, with about 70,...
by DWalt
Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:09 am
Forum: The Great Model 8
Topic: So I picked up a Model 8... in .308 winchester.
Replies: 10
Views: 11128

Re: So I picked up a Model 8... in .308 winchester.

The .300 Savage is actually the father of the .308/7.62 NATO as the result of the U. S. Army's postwar development programs to develop lighter weapons and ammunition. Ballistically, there is not a great deal of difference between the .300 Savage and the .308. In fact the Army started its search usin...
by DWalt
Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:16 am
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Reload ideas for Model 81 in 300 Savage
Replies: 7
Views: 8203

Re: Reload ideas for Model 81 in 300 Savage

I guess I didn't mention that the main bullet weight I have loaded in the .300 Savage is 150 grains. Most of my shooting in my M81s has been using the US GI M2 spitzer bullet, as I have several thousand of those. I have also loaded some 170 grain cast bullets with gas checks using 2400 propellant. T...
by DWalt
Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:41 am
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Let's revitalize the 30 Remington (Not AR)
Replies: 13
Views: 12430

Re: Let's revitalize the 30 Remington (Not AR)

I've always thought that a 6.8 SPC conversion would be very practical, in that about the only change needed is the addition of a new barrel. However, the fly in the ointment is the possibility that lighter springs would be needed due to the lower recoil impulse of the 6.8. That will have to remain u...
by DWalt
Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:59 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Let's revitalize the 30 Remington (Not AR)
Replies: 13
Views: 12430

Re: Let's revitalize the 30 Remington (Not AR)

I really like my .30 caliber Remington Model 8 and was disappointed when they stopped manufacture of .30 in (was it?) 1997. I like the .30 Rem "Accelerator" idea. My own "pet" would be a Remington Model 8 chambering the 6mm Niedner Rimless Magnum cartridge, which was .25 Rem nec...
by DWalt
Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:25 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Reload ideas for Model 81 in 300 Savage
Replies: 7
Views: 8203

Re: Reload ideas for Model 81 in 300 Savage

For a few years, I have been making .300 Savage cases by reforming .308/7.62 NATO brass which is far more available than .300 Savage brass. My more-or-less standard load is 37 grains of Hercules Hi-Vel #2 (I know it's long-obsolete, but I have a lot of it) which is ballistically very similar to IMR ...
by DWalt
Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:02 am
Forum: Wanted to buy
Topic: stripper clips
Replies: 7
Views: 8388

Re: stripper clips

Original chargers are expensive and aren't needed to load an 8/81. As described, proper loading of single rounds is fast and effective, and unless you find yourself in a shootout, you'll never need the ability for a rapid clip load. I fortunately came across 3 .30 Rem clips as part of a package deal...
by DWalt
Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:54 am
Forum: Welcome Wagon
Topic: My 1st Model 8 ammo question
Replies: 1
Views: 2746

Re: My 1st Model 8 ammo question

You can shoot anything marked .35 Remington, as it's all pretty much the same. It's not difficult to find and is still in production. Ordering from the internet can involve some fairly high shipping costs if you buy only a box or two.
by DWalt
Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:58 pm
Forum: History of the 8 /81
Topic: Model 8/81 "vintage" slings thoughts....
Replies: 11
Views: 10661

Re: Model 8/81 "vintage" slings thoughts....

Regarding M-Ns and their markings, the Finnish M-Ns take the prize with their diversity of markings and variations. They will typically have numerous stampings and overstamps. I have one which appears to have had at least 4 SNs, with 3 of them marked out. But yet it is completely original, as appare...
by DWalt
Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:39 pm
Forum: History of the 8 /81
Topic: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!
Replies: 6
Views: 7805

Re: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!

I wonder how a Model 8 could be modified to function with blanks, or if that has ever been done? I'd think the action would somehow have to be converted to blowback operation. Maybe that's why they haven't had any starring movie roles.
by DWalt
Sat Oct 05, 2013 7:46 am
Forum: History of the 8 /81
Topic: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!
Replies: 6
Views: 7805

Re: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!

This is what IMDB mentions: http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Remington_Model_8
I have seen exactly none of these movies, so I don't know if the rifles were actually fired or just carried. The IMDB site includes a link to this one.
by DWalt
Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:02 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

Following is taken from another forum, which I mentioned earlier. Just another viewpoint, veracity undetermined: ------------------------------------ "Allow me to weigh in on the ambush guns. I belong to a group called Public Enemies of 1934, which is an historical/theatrical group that stages ...
by DWalt
Wed Oct 02, 2013 9:01 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Long Recoil Semi Auto Pistol
Replies: 12
Views: 11285

Re: Long Recoil Semi Auto Pistol

"The book you're thinking of is probably The Maltese Falcon." Could well have been. I read it long ago. "A .38 caliber Webley-Fosbery was integral to the plot of Dashiell Hammelt's novel The Maltese Falcon, and in the 1941 movie of the same name. In the novel, private detective Sam S...
by DWalt
Wed Oct 02, 2013 9:45 am
Forum: History of the 8 /81
Topic: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!
Replies: 6
Views: 7805

Re: New Bonnie & Clyde Mini-Series!

It appears, from the very brief scene right at the first of the trailer, that the Thompson SMG will be portrayed as being used in the ambush, just like in the 1968 Warren Beatty version. But maybe that's not the ambush scene. The BAR shown appears to be a Colt Monitor, not a 1918.
by DWalt
Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:30 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Long Recoil Semi Auto Pistol
Replies: 12
Views: 11285

Re: Long Recoil Semi Auto Pistol

In a way, you could say the British Webley-Fosbery revolver was recoil operated, but not in the same way as the 8/81 is. The entire barrel and cylinder assembly recoils independently of the frame for a short distance (much less than the cartridge length) upon firing. There is a small stud in the fra...
by DWalt
Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:29 am
Forum: The Great Model 8
Topic: Remington Model 8 vs STEEL!!
Replies: 6
Views: 5349

Re: Remington Model 8 vs STEEL!!

Some of you may remember the KTW "cop-killer" ammo controversy back in the 1970s. KTW was a group of three guys from, I think, Toledo OH, who had developed a metal penetrating bullet design they attempted to market to law enforcement agencies. The initial KTW bullets were jacketed tungsten...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:51 am
Forum: Welcome Wagon
Topic: new to the model 8
Replies: 4
Views: 4429

Re: new to the model 8

I have a 1922 Model 8 with no firing pin spring and only one magazine box side spring.
by DWalt
Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:25 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Model 8 Refinish
Replies: 10
Views: 8411

Re: Model 8 Refinish

I didn't mention anything about restoration in my earlier posting, mainly because it is a step that should be taken only by the well-heeled, and involving guns of considerable rarity and desirability regardless of condition. There are several gun restorers who have made their reputations in the hand...
by DWalt
Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:24 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Model 8 Refinish
Replies: 10
Views: 8411

Re: Model 8 Refinish

There are differing opinions on the advisability of refinishing, and most believe that a little character gained over the last century is attractive. Even though it may not be a consideration for you, a metal refinish won't do much to increase value. I prefer leaving a gun in original condition as m...
by DWalt
Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:29 am
Forum: The Great Model 8
Topic: Barrel Switch Out?
Replies: 9
Views: 7169

Re: Barrel Switch Out?

It would be much cheaper to take up reloading for the .30.
by DWalt
Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:24 am
Forum: General
Topic: Model 8 in slow motion
Replies: 14
Views: 10963

Re: Model 8 in slow motion

Back in 2006 I bought a very high speed (capable of going up to 5000 frames per second, as I remember) Red Lake video camera to perform an engineering study of the M240B 7.62mm MG for analysis of problems associated with the recoil buffer. It was about $20K at the time and had to be attached to a la...
by DWalt
Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:14 am
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

To quote our highly capable and charming former Secretary of State, “What difference at this point does it make?”
by DWalt
Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:05 am
Forum: The Great Model 8
Topic: Barrel Switch Out?
Replies: 9
Views: 7169

Re: Barrel Switch Out?

Several times in the past I have suggested the 6.8 SPC would be a prime candidate caliber if the Model 8/81 ever went back into production. About the only modification needed would be a new barrel, and probably some recoil spring strength adjustment, as the 6.8 case base is the same as the ..25/.30/...
by DWalt
Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:39 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Model 8 in slow motion
Replies: 14
Views: 10963

Re: Model 8 in slow motion

That's the problem with any gun designed on the long recoil principle. There's a lot of metal mass moving at high speed coming to a sudden stop.
by DWalt
Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:35 pm
Forum: The Great Model 8
Topic: Barrel Switch Out?
Replies: 9
Views: 7169

Re: Barrel Switch Out?

You can convert anything to anything else if you are willing to throw enough money into it. But that's something that I wouldn't spend any money to do.
by DWalt
Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:25 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

Tonight (Wednesday) the National Geographic Channel re-ran "The Real Bonnie and Clyde" (2009). I knew about it but hadn't seen it. I guess the story itself was factual enough, but it provided virtually no information about the guns used by the ambush posse. It did mention that Hinton had a...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:03 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

A story in the American Rifleman about Frank Hamer several years ago attributed both Hamer and Alcorn with using Model 8s (.30 and .25 respectively - with both being Hamer's rifles). Is that true? I have no idea. But it does not match the Sheriff's 1934 story. Some time ago there was a posting on an...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:29 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

There's no question that there were at least three shotguns, 2 rifles, and a BAR there that day. Two of the three shotguns shown on the roof of the car appear to be Remington Model 11s (or possibly Browning A-5s). Only the end of the barrel of a third shotgun can be seen, so it could well have been ...
by DWalt
Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:57 pm
Forum: The Great Model 81 'Woodsmaster'
Topic: Bonnie and Clyde display
Replies: 19
Views: 15430

Re: Bonnie and Clyde display

As always, the arguments rage about who used what gun, and whether the "Borrowed Rifle" even existed, and that's unlikely to ever be resolved. I think the new History Channel program about B&C will be coming along fairly shortly - at least the teasers are being aired now.
by DWalt
Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:50 pm
Forum: Welcome Wagon
Topic: New old guy check in' in
Replies: 4
Views: 4512

Re: New old guy check in' in

That's the problem with ballistics charts taped to the gun. If you need them you won't have the time to use them in most cases. Best thing is to zero for 100 yards, and you are pretty sure to make a good enough hit at any range between 0 and 150 yards. If you expect getting shots at a longer range, ...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:14 pm
Forum: Troubleshooting / Maintenance
Topic: Magazine disassembly for Model 8 - dent removal
Replies: 0
Views: 2440

Magazine disassembly for Model 8 - dent removal

I decided the dent in the bottom of the magazine well bothered me just too much, so I decided to make an attempt to pound it out the best I could. But I couldn't figure out how to remove the follower and spring. The Model 8 instructions about depressing the follower and tilting it from right to left...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:45 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Scabbard for Model 8/81?
Replies: 23
Views: 21466

Re: Scabbard for Model 8/81?

Regarding the earlier scabbard picture, it has to be of one made for the M1 Garand rifle. I have one of those scabbards somewhere in my accumulation, and if I find it, I'll see if an M8 or M81 fits OK. I never actually knew what those scabbards were intended for. My guess was to stow an M1 on a Jeep...
by DWalt
Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:30 pm
Forum: General
Topic: forming .30 Rem from 7.35 Carcano? (no, false alarm)
Replies: 13
Views: 9399

Re: forming .30 Rem from 7.35 Carcano?

Back at the time I wrote that post, I made up about 20 .30 Rem cases from .30-30 brass, more as a determination of feasibility than anything else. Those cases worked fine and still do. In fact, last weekend I fired several of them, as they are mixed in with all my other brass. Since that time I have...
by DWalt
Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:33 am
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Model 8 Buttplate question
Replies: 11
Views: 9280

Re: Model 8 Buttplate question

Even though Remington and UMC did not "Officially" merge until 1912, both organizations had been under common ownership control since 1888. I don't have any Remington guns from the 1888 -1912 period, so I do not know how they were marked. But it is possible that, if for no reason other tha...
by DWalt
Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:05 pm
Forum: Q & A about the 8/81
Topic: Scabbard for Model 8/81?
Replies: 23
Views: 21466

Re: Scabbard for Model 8/81?

This is not much help, but I have a 1914 catalog from the Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Company, which was a very large wholesale hardware (and everything else) distributor located in Chicago. They offered a huge selection of gun cases and scabbards (which they call sheaths), but the only one speci...
by DWalt
Thu Aug 15, 2013 7:23 pm
Forum: History of the 8 /81
Topic: old newspaper scans - Remington 8's, 11's, 14's, etc.
Replies: 4
Views: 5444

Re: old newspaper scans - Remington 8's, 11's, 14's, etc.

Time to re-post something I posted here long ago. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1260