I have a stash of unknown maker 237-grain .323 softpoints, and a nice 24/47 Mauser that likes the Sierra 220-grain BT over IMR 4350. Anyone have any favorite loads or comments on loads and powders with the 237-grain slug? This was the original "big gun" bullet that I believe even John Taylor cited, but has long since fallen by the wayside.

Bill:

Is the box they came in marked: 237gr???

OR is that what your scales say they are??

I'd bet if your scale is saying so, that they really are 240's and it's just indicating 237.

Long time ago I loaded 200 and 180's for the 8mm. About the same time an uncle gave me some antique 06 ammo he'd had in an open tobacco can under his shop bench that had 240gr RN steel jackets. That's the only time I've seen 240gr bullets without getting into the bigger cal's.

Just curious mainly.

George

I believe Woodleigh and RWS make 236 grain 8mm bullets even today.

LLS

George: They are in a mismatched box. When I weigh a few samples, they come in at 237. These have a rounded blue nose and a a tiny circle of lead showing at the base.

I went to check my cache of 8mm bullets and found 220gr Hornady as my heaviest. Then I found a full box of original Barnes 180gr, my favorite for 8X57, that I did not remember having. May be raining here but that made my day! A 240 gr 8mm must really lumber along coming out of a 8X57.

quote:

Originally posted by sierra2:
I believe Woodleigh and RWS make 236 grain 8mm bullets even today.

LLS

Woodleigh makes 196, 200, 220, and 250 gr 8mm (.323") bullets.

They state in their catalog that the 8mm (.323") 250 gr RN can be loaded to 2250 fps in the 8x57JS but they don't give any loading data. From the catalog: "Our 250gr RN in .323â€gives the 8 x 57 IS an excellent performance level on medium sized game. It can be comfortably loaded to 2250fps in a Mauser 1898 and other more modern rifles."

www.woodleighbullets.com.au

-Bob F.