For you "engineers"

[Bama Man]

I just bought an old VZ 52 rifle a couple of weeks ago.
It fires the 7.62 X 45 mm cartridge, which was only produced and used in this rifle (and a machine gun too, I guess)
The ammo is just about impossible to locate, but the reloading dies can be found at RCBS for $140.00, and loaded ammo (reloadable) through Buffalo Arms for $47.00 per 20.
I test fired this rifle today, and it is very mild to fire, and very accurate, more so than my SKS.
Now, the question for you "engineers".
The 30-40 Krag has a .338 neck, and .415 shoulder and is 2.31" long.
The 7.62X45mm has a .334 neck, and .412 shoulder and is 1.77" long.
A difference of 0.54".
The base on the 7.62X45mm in .441, the rim is .440.
If the measurement of the 30-40 Krag is .441 at 0.54 inches from the base
towards the neck, do you think that I could take a 30-40 Krag full-length sizing die, and cut 0.60 inches off the bottom of it, and use to full length size 7.62X45mm cases? Then cut the neck to length?
I would be forming from 6.5 or 7.35 Carcano brass, both of which have a .445 base, and a .448 rim, and both are slightly over 2" long.
6.5 Carcano brass can be had through Graf for about $45 per hundred.
What do you think?

[Brick]

Start with a cartridge that has the same rim diameter and thickness as your 7.62X45 as long as your base cartridge is longer than 45mm. Trim the case to the correct length and resize in your unmodified 7.62X45 sizing die to relocated case shoulder and angle. Note if your base cartridge has more taper or angle your cartridges will expand when fired to fit the chamber (a step called "fireforming"). There are sources available on how to do this I strongly suggest you research and consult them, rather than go completely on my opinion.

Here's a qote from 1 such source:
DarinPfaff? notes that he's been making and selling boxer-primed 7.62x45 Czech brass for 8 years, using the RCBS Group G 7.62x45mm 2-die reloading set. The manufacturer's part number is #56274, and (for reference) retails for $133.99 on MidwayUSA without C&R discount. Using this die set, you can reform 6.5x54 M-S, .220 Swift, or 6.5x52 Carcano brass to 7.62x45. You should trim the 6.5x54 M-S and .220 Swift brass to approximate length before resizing, and the .220 Swift brass will need the rim turned down and extractor groove deepened
and here's the cite for the site:

http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/RefReloading762x45mm

[Bama Man]

Thanks, Brick.
I have been to Darin's site, and found it to be most helpful.
I was just wondering if I could make my own 7.62 X 45mm form die from cutting off the 30-40 krag full-length sizing die.
From what I see, it should be possible to do, and the 30-40 Krag dies are $26.00 (Lee) through Graf and Sons, instead of the $134.00 from RCBS.
I will have my hands on some 30-40 brass tomorrow, and I can do some measuring to see more about this.
I think I should be able to cut some off the bottom of the 30-40 Krag sizer to allow the 7.62 X 45mm to meet the shoulder inside the die, and therfore, form the rest of the cartridge.
neck on the Krag is .338, shoulder .415. My fired 7.62 brass is .346 neck, and .417 shoulder.
Brass sized in the Krag die will meet those specs, as long as it will size ok to the base.
Get my drift?
The problem now, is that the Krag sizing die is too long to allow the 7.62 cartridge to reach the inside shoulder of the die .
If I cut about .60 off the Krag die, the 7.62 SHOULD reach the shoulder inside.
You think?
6.5 Carcano, or 7.35 Carcano brass looks like the ticket to resize, as 6.5 Carcano can be made from the 6.5 M-S brass which is longer than the Carcano.
The Carcano brass appears to have the rim and base diameters I need.
Does this all make sense?

[Brick]

I have no references that give me any information on the 7.62X45 cartridge. So I really can't compare the two cartridges. Personally I don't think I would be inclined to try shortening a sizing die.

[Kramer]

About 8 to 10 years ago those rifles were being sold with a chamber insert locktited in place so it could use 7.62x39. Unfortunatly, the insets came out with the empty case making the rifle useless.

[Bama Man]

Thanks, Kramer.
I read about one of those on Darin's site, I believe.
He also says that the loctite won't make it stay forever, and, once an empty pulls it out, it's gone with the brass.
They cost about $39.00 each.
It does allow you to use the 7.62 X 39 brass.
I'm not really concerned that much about cutting down a reloading die, as the internal grindings won't change, just the length of what I can re-size.
I'll run it all by my gunsmith tomorrow, as he's an old wildcatter and my have insight into this.
Wish me luck. I hope to find a reasonably inexspensive solution to my no-ammo crisis. LOL

[chuck-10]

surplusbunker.com has 7.62x45.50rounds for 36.25

[Bama Man]

Thanks, I'm gonna take a peak.
I still want to reload, as I despise corrosive primers also.

[chuck-10]

buffaloarms.com has brass
7.62x45

Each ($1.38)
20 ($23.00)
50 ($55.00)
100 ($99.00)

[762xIan]

Darin's tutorial .......he goes through the entire procedure here converting 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schonauer brass to 7.62x45:

http://www.mauser98.com/brass.html

Wealth of info here also on the history of the round itself:

http://mauser98.com/vz52.html

Keep us posted on how you make out if you decide to make it yourself...good luck!