I remember you posting it somewhere before, but I can't seem to find it. It was good stuff and I'd like to have it again. Thanks. 8mmFan

I should clarify...that's 8x57 Mauser I meant. Thank you.

Can't believe I missed one, sorry Old Man!

All I had was with the 170 grain bullet, as it is the only one I shoot in my 8 x 57s.

The 125 and 150s are too light for my liking and the 220 grain is too hard to open reliably. I sure wish I had a bunch of the old Speer 225 grain Round Noses I saw in old reload manuals from the 1960s tho!

Anyway, here you go 8mm, with my compliments!

Cheers
seafire

Blue Dot Range Report: 8 x 57 Mauser

Rifle: CZ/Brno, 1924 Manufacture, Sporterized

Barrel: 24 inch

Brass: Remington, New

Primer: Fed 210

Bullet: 170 Grain Speer Semi Pointed


18 grs; 1809 fps
19 grs: 1858 fps
20 grs: 1937 fps

21 grs: 1961 fps
22 grs: 2051 fps
23 grs: 2128 fps

24 grs: 2156 fps
25 grs: 2226 fps
26 grs: 2267 fps

27 grs: 2322 fps

Notes:

The 27 grain load had extractor marks on the case.

Recommend Max at 26 grains for normal use.

Tree used as a back stop 30 feet away,. Sure had the wood fly each time a slug hit it. Diameter of the tree was about 8 inches.

This would make a decent bear or elk load with range limitations of 125 to 150 yrds in my opinion.

Work up your loads, this was done in a .323 bore Mauser not a 318 bore.
Recoil reduction was substantial compared to regular factory loads even.

Due to the velocity, I would question the use of bullets heavier than the 170 / 175 grain bullet, but prefer the 170 grain over the 150 grain bullets due to the higher sectional density, and design shape. I am just a Round Nose or Semi Spitzer fan. I do prefer the Speer SMP over the Hornady RN by a long shot.



14 May 2004.

Seafire,

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. Am going to load up some nice, light practice/varmint loads with this.

One note for you: you said "220 grain is too hard to open reliably." From that statement, I take it that you--like me--hunt with your 8x57mm. Have you tried the .323 Nosler BT for deer? It's performed very well for me on five deer. It's a little more durable than the BT's below .308, has good penetration, but it definitely "opens up." Just a suggestion if you want to try something different.

Thanks again for the info. 8mmFan

8mm,

No I have not hunted with the 180 grain Ballistic Tip, basically because of availability and the 170 grain Speer does such a darn good job.

I will have one out looking for Yogi or BooBoo in the next 30 days or so. I will carry that, or the old 30/40 Krag.

Both have open sights, with a apetured sight on the back.

If you are interested in a Rocket Load in 8 mm, email me. I have some strong velocity loads using RL 7 and IMR 4198 in this cartridge too.

cheers and good shooting
seafire

Thanks for the info offer. I have a load using 56.0g of 4320 w/ the 180g BT, giving me average MV (ten feet from the muzzle, actually) of 2,995 fps. That's as strong as I can put through it without reaching for a ballistic helmet first. I would be interested, though, if RL 7 or 4198 would do the same thing with less pressure.

Unfortunately I don't know how to email you

The 8x57 is my favorite cartridge and fun to hunt with. Sounds like I'm not alone in that sentiment. 8mmFan

8 mm, If you can get that kind of velocity out of 4320, I would call it a day. I don't think, more velocity and less pressure is going to happen.

That is an awfully good sounding load. So Instead of me helping you out with another load, you helped me out. I will try that load!

Thanks!

Cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by 8mmFan:
Thanks for the info offer. I have a load using 56.0g of 4320 w/ the 180g BT, giving me average MV (ten feet from the muzzle, actually) of 2,995 fps. That's as strong as I can put through it without reaching for a ballistic helmet first. I would be interested, though, if RL 7 or 4198 would do the same thing with less pressure.

Unfortunately I don't know how to email you

The 8x57 is my favorite cartridge and fun to hunt with. Sounds like I'm not alone in that sentiment. 8mmFan

8mmFan,

Your 180 BT load seems to be on the hot side to me. Just as a reference, here are the ballistics for European factory ammo that I have compiled. Notice the factory velocities for 180 gr bullets. I'm not trying to tell you what to do; I'm just offering this as a note of caution.

-Bob F.



Sources:
Blaser http://www.blaser.de/
Hirtenberger http://www.hirtenberger.at/ (ammo no longer listed on web site)
Lapua http://www.lapua.com/
Norma http://www.norma.cc/
Prvi Partizan http://www.prvipartizan.com/
RUAG Munition http://www.ruag.com/ http://www.swissmun.com/e/sport/
RWS http://www.rws-munition.de/
Sako http://www.sako.fi/
Sellier & Bellot http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/ http://www.sb-usa.com/

Seafire and BFaucett,

There is NO QUESTION that the load I am using is TOO HOT. Repeat, TOO HOT. Because this is a 'net forum, please let me repeat my standard disclaimer: DO NOT USE MY LOADS WITHOUT WORKING UP TO YOUR MAXIMUMUMS IN YOUR OWN RIFLES. USING MY LOADS MAY BLOW UP YOUR RIFLE CAUSING LOSS OF LIMBS AND/OR BLINDNESS OR DEATH. WHAT WORKS IN MY RIFLE MAY NOT WORK IN YOURS. I BEAR NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR RELOADING OR THE RESULTS THEREOF AND OFFER MY EXPERIENCES WITH NO REGARD FOR YOUR SAFETY.

That said, you and I both know that's really for the "maroons" who take 'net data and don't use it responsibly. You guys are right, my load is hot. I use it in a Yugo M48A, and it is very accurate in that rifle and provides excellent terminal results. Hopefully the terminal results won't be my own!