Daryl,

Excuse me for butting in. I have some good experience with my 9x57R double rifle.

I am using .444 Marlin brass, formed properly (an easy task). The rim is just right in my rifle, and the .444 head is exactly right. For a rimless (bolt action) I suggest necking up the 8x57 brass - the shoulder is exactly right, just need a larger neck.

My load for my Francotte DR (VIEW IT HERE) is 53.0 grains Hodgdon's BLC-2; 250 grain Hornady .358 RN (stock #3525); CCI 250 primer; in the brass just described.

Please take note that my rifle slugs out at .358", so I am able to use 35 caliber bullets rather than the 9mm (.355") bullets. THIS IS IMPORTANT!.

This is a mild load, suitable for a DR. Reducing the powder charge results in a smoked case, indicating the brass isn't sealing the chamber fully (pressure too low).

My first advice to your friend is to slug the barrel and search for appropriate bullets.

If his rifle is of German origin, made after 1912, the bullet weight should be stamped on the barrel among the proof marks, in grams. The mark will be "St.M.G. xx gr." where the xx is the bullet weight in grams. Prior to 1912 the bullet type is specified (here a steel jacket), but not the weight.

I hope this is somewhat helpful.

Curl