8x57 and heavy bullets

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30 October 2007, 04:01

matt_gu3

8x57 and heavy bullets

I have come across a slight problem and I am thinking that a heavier bullet may cure most of it. I am reloading my 8x57 with 180gr Nos BT's and at 75yds I can not get my sights low enough to hit at POA. It was amazing to see how much higher my reloads were hitting than the factory stuff. So, I am thinking that a heavier bullet would help this out. I am going to start with some 220gr stuff and have plenty of resources to get the data for that weight bullet. What about 250gr bullets. Does anyone have a good starting point with that weight bullet using IMR4895? Am I going at this all wrong? Any info would be great.

thanks, Matt.

30 October 2007, 05:04

Ricochet

What kind of rifle and sights are you shooting?

Lots of military Mausers are set up with a minimum range of 100 meters, and they weren't set up to use the "point of aim" (i.e., tip of the front sight blade) as the impact point, but to use a 6:00 o'clock hold with the target fully visible on top of the sight.

30 October 2007, 05:27

bja105

At that range, heavy loads might also hit higher. I'm working with a model 1917 30-06, with peep sights. I had no trouble sighting in with 150's, but I couldn't lower the rear sight enough for 180's. It hits fine with a 6:00 hold, but I haven't decided if I feel comfortable with that on a hunting rifle.

Also try the reduced loads. I used a moderate Blue Dot load and the 400 meter setting to get my Yugo 24-47 to hit at 50.

You can also get taller front sights to bring down your impact point.

30 October 2007, 06:17

bartsche

quote:
Originally posted by bja105:
You can also get taller front sights to bring down your impact point.

Ditto roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

30 October 2007, 07:17

matt_gu3

The rifle is a sporterized Mauser with a Redfield peep sight at the rear of the action. I am using the 6:00 hold right now and still have a bullet impact 6" higher than the 2" target I am aiming at. I was hoping to get away without changing the front post. The dove tail doesn't look like your average Marlin or Winchester dove tail. It is much smaller than that.
How about a starting point for the 250gr bullet? Even if I end up changing the post, I am still interested in a heavy bullet.

Thanks for the input, Matt.

30 October 2007, 07:33

bja105

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

There are 220g loads for H4895 and Varget. I have not tried them.

30 October 2007, 09:38

swheeler

8x57 250 gr from barnes manual
h4895 37.0-2021, 40.0-2204fps

30 October 2007, 10:44

z1r

quote:
Originally posted by matt_gu3:
The rifle is a sporterized Mauser with a Redfield peep sight at the rear of the action. I am using the 6:00 hold right now and still have a bullet impact 6" higher than the 2" target I am aiming at. I was hoping to get away without changing the front post. The dove tail doesn't look like your average Marlin or Winchester dove tail. It is much smaller than that.
How about a starting point for the 250gr bullet? Even if I end up changing the post, I am still interested in a heavy bullet.

Thanks for the input, Matt.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.as...ER+FRONT+SIGHT+BLANK

30 October 2007, 12:01

Gerard

Going lighter on the bullet will solve the problem. You need to reduce barrel time without increasing momentum. Going to a heavier bullet or driving the same heavy bullet faster will not work. This can only be done with a lighter bullet going faster. This is not a step down in performance if a mono bullet is used.

30 October 2007, 16:34

hawkins

Brownells sells a Mauser front sight that has
plenty of metal to work down. It fit my Turk 98.
I think the Turk was sighted for the hot 196 grs.
Good Luck!