I have an 8X57 Mauser built w/ quality modern steel and would like to find some loading data that loads up to 30-06 pressure- not the low pressure loads I find common in IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant etc.. I know why they under load them, but I've done my homework. I don't have an old .318 bore. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.

Mark

I have a modern 8x57 Heym SR20LH American stock. I have developed loads for both the 200 grains Barnes X and the 196 grain Norma Oryx. I found best accuracy with 56.5 grains of H414. COL 3.230 or thereabouts. This produced a MV of around 2525 fps.

Worked like lightning on the Kudu and the 220 yard Zebra I used it on.

I am keen to try the 220 grain Barnes X.

My 1970 45th edition Lyman manual lists the following max loads:

Powder Grains Velocity Bullet

IMR 3031 49.0 2,881 150 grain jacketed
47.0 2,688 170 grain jacketed
IMR 4064 53.0* 2,915 150 grain "
51.0* 2,724 170 grain "
IMR 4895 51.0* 2,824 150 grain "
49.0* 2,672 170 grain "

* compressed load

Notes: IMR 3031 works best for me , producing .75 inch groups at near maximum without compressed loads in a 1939 K-98 sporter. These velocities approximate the .30-06 and by reference produce 50,000 cup. Reduce by 10% for beginning loads.

I'm pretty much using the IMR 4064 load listed. I'm getting just under 3000fps and it is very accurate.

Best load I've found so far is 49 gr Norma 203-B under Norma's 196 gr Oryx. This is more or less straight from Norma's tables (50.1 gr max with that bullet) and moves the pill at around 2550 fps with incredible accuracy.

The 8x57 can really surprise you accuracy wise, I've been toying with the idea of building an all-out bench gun chambered for that cartridge...

-- Mats

Deerdogs & Mats: I sure would like to hear your evaluation on accuracy and performance on the 200g Barnes and 196g Norma....Thanks LR

LReynolds:-

Neither bullets are true tack drivers in my rifle, they shoot into an inch off the bench. Perfectly adequate for all the hunting I do IMO.

I am working on some new COL variations to try and tighten the groups down a bit, just for fun.

Regarding performance:

I have shot about a dozen small deer (roe and muntjac) with the Barnes since I ran out of the Norma in April. All in-and-outs, as you would expect. I’ll probably go hunting this evening for some fallow and red deer and will use the Barnes to see how they do on a bigger deer.

I used the Oryx for a trip to Africa in April and shot a few warthog. Very effective. I also shot a kudu at close range. It was standing facing me and I put the bullet where the neck meets the chest. He ran 50 metres then dropped and we found him dead. No exit. Unfortunately the skinners did not keep the bullet.

The zebra I shot at 200 metres broadside/slightly quartering towards me. The bullet entered on the point of the “sergeants stripes” on the shoulder. He went a few paces then fell over, then got up and went a few more, fell again and did not get up. Dead when we reached him. No exit, but again the skinners were too idle/busy to look for the bullet.

I am taking the Oryx load to Austria on a red deer drive in a few weeks and I have every confidence it will work perfectly if I do my part.

Good luck.

In 1903 Turkish Mauser with 200 gr Yugo bullet pulls:

47 gr IMR4895 best group 1.5" 3 shots at 100 M

49 gr IMR4895 and the bolt is a just a tiny bit sticky. 3.3"

52 gr IMR4895 and I have I have a very sticky bolt. 2.3"

So Gangcuss,
How many cycles at 110 ksi in pure sheer on 4140 RC 30 to fail?
What?
There ain't that much ammo on earth?

I recently acquired a 8x57 walther rifle with 24 " barrel,and it has a Mannlincher two pieces stock. Put an Swarowsky 3-10x 1" scope with EAW quick detachable side mounts. I fired Winchester 170 grs. factory loads and the velocity was 2250 fps.
So I started loading 170 grs. hornady round nose points and worked up loads with these final results.
IMR 3031 47 grs. 2720 fps.
IMR-3031 48 grs. 2830 fps.
IMR-4064 49 grs. 2645 fps.
IMR-4350 56 grs. 2630 fps.
The Primers were CCI large rifle.
These loads gave me 1.5 to 1 MOA at 100 yds.
In my rifle there were no signs of high pressure, but they should be approached carefully because they are way beyond of the manuals maximum charges.
Good hunting

Roberto, good gun and results.

Here are some load books, 8x57mm, 170 gr, and IMR3031:

IMR handout 1990 170 gr 32.5 gr 3031 2105 fps 36100 cup
"Speer 8" 1970: 170 g r 47 gr 3031, 2771 fps
"Speer 9" 1974: 170 gr 44 gr 3031, 2600 fsp
"Lyman 40" 1955: 170 gr 47 gr 3031 2766 fps
"Lyman 47" 1992: 170 gr 47 gr 3031 2766 fps
Hornady 1973 170 gr 47.2 gr 3031 2700 fps
"Hornady 5" 2000 170 gr 46.3 gr 3031 2600 fps
P.O. Ackley 1966: 170 gr 43 gr 3031 2600 fps

30-06 Military brass formed to 8X57
49.0gr IMR 4064
180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
COL of 3.150"
2800fps (average for 10 shots)
Standard Deviation-9.3fps

# matching M98k with issue barrel (23 3/4") circa 1942

No sticky bolts, no flat primers (CCI), no loose primer pockets or need to trim brass after several reloads.

[ 08-15-2002, 20:00: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]

196gr Norma Alaska or the new Hornady 195gr SP
47.0grs AA 2520 or 47.0grs Varget
WLR primers
W-W cases
OAL-2.975"(Norma)
-3.125"(Hornady)
The Norma Alaska averages 2520fps, and the Hornady 2550fps. Both loads are accurate in my Husqvarna with a 23.6" barrel. A good source for decent 8x57JS loads is the Accurate reloading manual, where they give both the anemic North American loads, and a seperate section for European equivalant loads.

Good Shooting!