7.35 Carcano

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

Just read about the 7.35 Carcano, an Italian rifle used by the Finnish Army in the Winter War and the Continuation War. I did a search about that rifle on this site, and didn't find out anything. It's considered an obsolete round. No current reloading manuals in the US have any information regarding this caliber.

I did find some information on the web regarding a few loadings for this Cracano. The information I found was attributed to the "ballistics laboratory of Australia Defence Industries", and presented with their permission. It's the 7.35mm version, not the more common 6.5mm version.

Since there are a few members from down under on this site, I'm wondering. Does anyone have any information regarding reloading data for this rifle and caliber? I want to find out before, spending cash to buy the reloading dies, and bullets.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 7:16 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

OldSchool, I don't have experience with this cartridge and never heard of it before you brought it up. But, I do have experience with wildcatting and developing my own loads. I did this for 150gr bullets in the 6.8mm SPC. I found the load data for a 30-30 provided me guidance. Find another cartridge with the same case capacity for a 7mm to 7.62mm bullet for powder and charge suggestions. I sometimes ratio load data from two different recipes to be more precise. Start low and work up. I start by loading a single charge weight in 0.5 grain increments and do a powder vs velocity ladder to define my performance boundaries. Make sure you can read your pressure signs.

Also, H4895 is a forgiving powder. You can load the case 60% full and work up from there.

I can't believe I beat Elvis or Gil to post.

pete4d · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 7:30 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

I ran across these,,,, may be able to point you in the rite direction

.........7.35x52mm Carcano............ Ammoguide.com

128 Hornady Hodgdon H-380
36.8 grains
2,200 muzzle vel.
1,376 K.E. foot pounds
2.772-AOL
president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-3031
33.7
2,330
1,543
2.772
president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-4064
36.1
2,330
1,543
2.772
president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-4320
37.0
2,330
1,543
2.772
president100
View
128 Hornady Alliant/Herc Reloder-15
39.0
2,352
1,573
2.753
president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-4895
37.0
2,375
1,603
2.772
president100
View
128 Hornady Hodgdon Varget
40.0
2,438
1,690
2.753
president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-3031
36.0
2,440
1,692
2.753
president100
View
128 Hornady Hodgdon Varget
41.0
2,447
1,702

president100
View
128 Hornady IMR-4198
31.0
2,460
1,720
2.772
president100
View
128 Hornady Hodgdon H-380
41.0
2,490
1,763
2.753
president100
View
128 Hornady Hodgdon H-4198
33.0
2,500
1,777

president100
View
128 Hornady Hodgdon H-4895
37.0
2,500
1,777

president100
View
128 Hornady ADI AR-2207

Aloysius · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:20 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

Oldschool, do you have the clips for that rifle? When my memory is correct then you cannot shoot a Carcano without the proper clips (and they are expensive here in Europe).
Doesn't give Cartridges of the World any reloading data? I would expect you can find this round there.

Aloysius · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:35 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

As I expected: in the 10th edition of Cartridges of the World page 333 you can find the 7,35 mm Italian Carcano and some reloading data for 128 gr SP and 150 gr SP, using IMR 3031, IMR4895, IMR 4320, H380 with velocities between 2450 and 2550 fps

Gil Martin · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:39 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

The Model 1938 Carcano in 7.35mm had a short service life. It was used by the Italian Army. Thousands were sent to the Finnish Army and are usually marked with an "SA" to denote acceptance for service. Many were sold back in the 1960s for about $10 each. My brother bought one and hunted with it. I bought one for my collection and it is marked "SA".

Cartridges of the World has some data. Graf & Son sell 7.35mm brass. The hardest part was finding bullets because it takes an odd size. As has been noted, original clips are hard to find and expensive. Interesting rifle. All the best...
Gil

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

pete4d - Thanks for the loading data. Just curious, what does the "president100" refer to? Is that your handle? I am looking for hard copy load data (from Reloading manuals) if possible.

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

Aloysius - The rifle in question does have clips, unfortunately only two. I had a copy of Cartridges of the World", at this time after three moves, I don't know which edition or the location of it.

Is it possible to post a picture of Page 333, of your 10th edition copy, with the reloading data for the 7.35 Carcano?

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

slimjim wrote:

OldSchool, I don't have experience with this cartridge and never heard of it before you brought it up.

I can't believe I beat Elvis or Gil to post.

slimjim - Glad I could contribute something to the knowledge on this site.

Regarding: your statement; "I can't believe I beat Elvis or Gil to post.' It just goes to show you anything is possible. Laughing

Aloysius · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 1:22 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

I'm little bit afraid of copyrights...

but on page 333 of CotW 10th ed. they give:

128 grs SP - 38 grs IMR 3031 => 2495 fps
128 grs SP - 40 grs IMR 4895 => 2500 fps
150 grs SP - 40 grs IMR 4320 => 2550 fps
150 grs SP - 38 grs IMR 4895 => 2450 fps
150 grs SP - 41 grs H380 => 2490 fps

when you have a little experience in developing a load, this data should be enough to get you started.

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

Glad we got this topic well covered. All the best...
Gil

pete4d · Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 5:59 am Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

OldSchoolRanger wrote:

pete4d - Thanks for the loading data. Just curious, what does the "president100" refer to? Is that your handle? I am looking for hard copy load data (from Reloading manuals) if possible.

"president100" is re-loaders nickname on the ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/...BEZqwqWmQA web site.
...I've found this site very useful over the years for working up some of my loads

,,, as with all internet load data start with reduced loads.

About AmmoGuide Case Diagrams

Standard American S.A.E. (in.)
Metric Metric (mm.)
7.35x52mm Carcano at AmmoGuide.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Bullet Diameter:
.298 in.
Max Overall Length:
2.980 in.
Rifling Twist:
1-in-10.0 in.
Case Capacity (est):
50.9 gr. water
Primer Size:
.210 in.

NOMINAL PERFORMANCE
Bullet Weight:
128 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
2,483 fps
Muzzle Energy:
1,753 ft-lbs
7.35x52mm Carcano at AmmoGuide.com

7.35x52mm Carcano at AmmoGuide.com
"Easy Link" to this cartridge (copy and paste into emails, forums, etc.):

7.35x52mm Carcano - ammoguide.com/?catid=422

.....Introduced by Italy in 1938, the 7.35x52mm Cacarno was developed to replace the older 6.5x52mm cartridge. The existing Model 91 rifle required minimal modifications to support the new round.
....The 7.35x52mm was used successfully by Finland and other countries and eventually imported to the US as surplus in large numbers.

...In terms of performance, the cartridge falls just above the .30-30 Winchester and is an adequate hunting rifle for mid-sized game. Brass can be formed from 6.5x54mm cases.

....Care should be taken to not overstress the Cacarno rifle as the action is not as strong as it's Mauser, Springfield or Enfield cousins, allowing a maximum working pressure of only 38,000 psi. In stronger actions, ballistics roughly eqivalent to the .300 Svaage may be realized. The nominal ballistic values shown here represent that of the the military Cacarno load. Cheers

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

Aloysius wrote:

I'm little bit afraid of copyrights...

but on page 333 of CotW 10th ed. they give:

128 grs SP - 38 grs IMR 3031 => 2495 fps
128 grs SP - 40 grs IMR 4895 => 2500 fps
150 grs SP - 40 grs IMR 4320 => 2550 fps
150 grs SP - 38 grs IMR 4895 => 2450 fps
150 grs SP - 41 grs H380 => 2490 fps

when you have a little experience in developing a load, this data should be enough to get you started.

Yes, that should help

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

pete4d - Thank you, and everyone that contributed information to this. I'm sure I can assemble a decent load using the information provided. Now all I have to do is pick up the rifle at a decent price, and get the proper reloading supplies & dies.

PaulS · Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: 7.35 Carcano

I have a question - that belies this cartridges age...

It looks like a 308 case necked down slightly between 308 and 7mm-08.
In a modern rifle would it be possible to get similar velocities?

Here I go again thinking about adopting another orphaned cartridge. Wink

It would make more sence to just get a 7-08.