I noticed a couple of recent threads here mentioned the 8x54 K-J. Can some folks here provide any additional information on this cartridge, reloading components (especially brass), and load data?

Thanks a million.

It's a 6.5x55 necked up to 8mm, seldom enountered outside the Scandanavian coutries. Don't know of a brass source, probably easy enough to use 6.5 brass. Huntington lists a die set as does CH4D. The loads below are from Cartridges of the World, 3rd Edition.

150gr bullet: 52gr IMR 3031, 2850fps
196gr bullet: 47gr IMR 4895, 2370fps

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
It's a 6.5x55 necked up to 8mm, seldom enountered outside the Scandanavian coutries. Don't know of a brass source, probably easy enough to use 6.5 brass. Huntington lists a die set as does CH4D. The loads below are from Cartridges of the World, 3rd Edition.

150gr bullet: 52gr IMR 3031, 2850fps
196gr bullet: 47gr IMR 4895, 2370fps

I'm no expert but I did recently acquire one. I'd just about forget about trying to get proper brass. All I've seen has been at collector prices. Pretty easy to form from 6.5x55 though. You will need a couple of intermediate dies to keep from crumpling the shoulder. Published ballistics are impressive but be aware of the rifles chambered for this round.

I plan on running 175's at roughly 2400 fps. Perfect for my intended use.

Unless you have one that you need to feed, I'd probably not build one. Easier to go with the 8x57.