Has anyone used the Nosler 180gr ballistic tip in a 8X57? What was your load and how did it work?

I can't say that I have done a lot of experimenting with this combination (180BT in 8X57), but I have used IMR 4064 extensively with the Nosler 180gr Balistic Tip in 8mm-06 Ackley Improved. Soooooo, I played around a little with the old 8X57 with the same combo (4064 & 180 BT)
I was able to get 2800fps with no pressure signs and a very slightly compessed load density. The Sd was less than 15fps, 12.7fps or something like that.

As I said, I didn't do a lot of load developement, just flung a few over the old chronograph. I was using G.I. "06" once fired (from a Garand no less) brass that I trimmed and ran through the 8X57 dies. C.O.L. of 3.150" 49gr IMR 4064. I started @ 44grs and worked up. Never got any pressure signs and velocity was very consistant as the load density became compressed slightly. (as has been my experience wuth IMR 4064)

Thanx, 2800 would deffinatly do the trick! I've been using the 185gr corelocks and thought I might try the 180gr BTs for deer.

I think you may find with 180 gr 8x57mm IMR4895:

49.5 gr most accurate 2700 fps
52.5 gr slightly sticky bolt
54.5 gr very sticky bolt

The following load data are predictive calculations only derived from "Quickload" using the following parameters.

• 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet
• 23.5" barrel (military M-98k length)
• C.O.L. 3.150" (average length to .010" off the lands in the 2 M-98K actions that I own)
• Maximum pressure 58,700psi (S.A.A.M.I. spec for 30-06)

The following are for reference only. Reduce by 10% and work up cautiously!
Listed in descending order of muzzle velocity,95% miinimum, 106% maximum load dessity.

• V-V N550---105.6% load den---56.7gr ---2848fps---98.3% prop burn---58,700psi
• Win 760---102.4% load den---57.3gr---2844fps---95.8%prop burn---58700psi
• Norma 203B---100.8% load den---51.9gr---2825fps---99.9% prop burn---58700psi
• IMR 4895---98.4% load den---50.6gr---2819fps---100.0% prop burn---58700psi
• Hod 380---103.3% load den---54.9gr---2814fps---98.0% prop burn---58700psi
• Alli RL15---100.6% load den---51.8gr---2808fps---99.0% prop burn---58700psi
• IMR 3031---98.3% load den---48.4gr---2799fps---100.0% prop burn---58700psi
• V-V N150---105.6% load den---53.8gr---2798fps---100.0% prop burn---58700psi
• IMR 4320---99.2% load den---51.9gr---2790fps---99.2% prop burn---58700psi
• Acc Arms 2520---95.2% load den---51.7gr---2774fps---100.0% prop burn---58700psi
• Norma 202---100.8% load den---51.0gr---2770fps---99.9% prop burn---58700psi
• Hod 414---99.3% load den---55.5gr---2760fps---92.7% prop burn---58700psi
• IMR 4064---99.8% load den---50.3gr---2756fps---99.0% prop burn---58700psi
• Hod Varget---97.3% load den---50.4gr---2756fps---99.3% prop burn---58700psi

These are calculations only, results may vary.
results are usually close to actual results.

Note IMR prediction of 2756fps @ 50.3gr as compared to actual tested results of 2800fps @ 49gr.

This should give you some idea of where to start and what kind of results you might expect @ ADULT pressure levels.

Enjoy your 8X57, one of the most under-rated cartridges in existance

Just for contrast, I recently worked up a load for a 175 grn sierra and considered 50 grs of RLR 15 one grn under max @ 2800 fs.

Thats 100 fs better than I can get from my 22" bbl 06 with a 180 grn and more powder. Definatley underrated.