Here is a group I shot this morning while doing load developement with the 8,5X63 Reb and Hornady 225 grain interlocks.
[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Hey Ron,
where´re you from? I mean the 8,5x63 is only a German thing? My dad build a M98 rifle last year for an customer. 600mm Lothar Walther barrel with muzzle break. The customer loves it. A other customer have a Mauser M03 chambered for this round. Shoots great, like yours. What´s the rifle you shoot?


Martin

quote:

Originally posted by Big Bore Fan:
Hey Ron,
where´re you from? I mean the 8,5x63 is only a German thing? My dad build a M98 rifle last year for an customer. 600mm Lothar Walther barrel with muzzle break. The customer loves it. A other customer have a Mauser M03 chambered for this round. Shoots great, like yours. What´s the rifle you shoot?


Martin

I live in Ava Missouri, and my rifle is an R93 Blaser.

Is it right, only 51grs of R19? I put 62grs R904 (identical to R19, both are from Bofors) in my 8,5x63 , pressure tested load!

Can you fireform 338-06 Weatherby brass in it?

You can do it, I use .280Remington or .35 Whelen!

What are the differences in the case measurements, shoulder angle etc. between the 338-06 & the 8.5x63? Photos?

The 8,5x63 is something like an improoved 338/06 with a steep shoulder and a nearly cylindrical powder-room.

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
Is it right, only 51grs of R19? I put 62grs R904 (identical to R19, both are from Bofors) in my 8,5x63 , pressure tested load!

Am early in my load developement, and am going on little or no load data, so I am starting low and working up. i am using H4895 and 200 grain Hornadys for my fireforming and get excellent accuracy at 49 grains, plus matches the 338 federal factory loads will use those locally for deer.

There is also a rimmed version of this cartridge, barrels are available for the Blaser K95. Cases if I remember it well to be formed from 7x65 R brass.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
What are the differences in the case measurements, shoulder angle etc. between the 338-06 & the 8.5x63? Photos?

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

The Reb round is best described as a short necked 338-06 AI.

Horneber makes brass with "8,5x63" at the rim.
Werner Reb´s 8,5x63 is a very economical round, with great reserves in precision. He introduced the rimmed version first, followed from the rimless. It must be in the first half of the 80ties.
I have reloading datas in two different books. The one are with Barnes X or TSX bullets and Vitha powder and the other with Hornady bullets and Rottweil powder.

Martin

Nice Group!

But it's nothing new for me.
I've a R93 in 8,5x63 ans a double rifle in 8,5x63R.
Both guns shoot groups less then 1 MOA with different loads. I use Nosler Accubonds in 180, 200 and 225 grains. My favorite powder is Rottweil R903.
This not common cardridge makes me a lot of fun and is my favorite load for wild boar.

Both the 8,5x63R and the later 8,5x63 are very fine cartridges, though they mostly seem to remain an European affair, the imperial measurement system having its own comparable counterparts.

The rightly famous German forester, writer, reloader and wildcatter Werner Reb (affectionately called Weidmeister by some, including me) by the way has always resented the addition of his name to the cartridge denomination, maybe out of modesty.

Lastly, I do not feel quite competent to compare this pair to their older siblings, the 8x64 S and 8x65 RS, and I would leave such a comparison to Monastery Forester e.g. The 8,5mm cartridges however are more modern in design, that is sure. In practice, game will hardly feel any difference. Maybe the 8,5mm ones are a bit easier to get tight groups from.

Carcano

The finest and best of all 8.5x63s are no doubt .333 Jeffery...

Thank you, Carcano, but I`m sorry, I have no experience with both rimmed cartridges, I only use the 8,5x63 and the 8x64S.
Both cartridges are very similiar in performance with a little advantage for 8,5 when you are hunting very big game like moose and the big bears. When I was hunting in BC for moose and grizzly, I used the 8,5 with 250grs Grand Slam (both one shot-kills), but for my dayly job hunting red deer and wild boar, I prefer the 8mm. Performance with 200grs bullets is neary identical with 2800fps, with the heavier than 220grs bullets, there is a advantage of the "Reb" .

Only for Carcano: with 220grs bullete (Woodleigh or Degol)and a special finnish powder our favorite 8x60S is able to get nearly the same velocity as the longer 64S or 8,5!

The 8.5x63 is an outstanding, well thought out cartridge offering superb performance.

It speaks volumes of the performance of this cartridge that Blaser; who manufactures their barrels using mandrels, have invested resources in this cartridge.

Yes, I am lusting after one, too. Not that I really need ot but I think it is a most underrated development. I would download it with N110 and 200 grain Nosler BT for roe, small hogs and the range.

Worked up a nice full power load using 63 grains of Rl 19 and a 225 Hornady. Shoots a little under 1 MOA but is very consistant about it.

Tried IMR 4007sc this AM for a fireform load with 200 grain Hornadys and again a little under 1 MOA with great consistancy.

My initial fireform load with 49 grains of H4895 does not seem to shoot as well now that I have put about 300 rounds down the pipe and when you tried to warm up the H4895 loads the groups opened up. If the 4007sc continues on with the consistancy I will switch fully over to it.

One nice thing about loading for the round is with a little practise it is very consistant and predictable.

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:

Only for Carcano: with 220grs bullete (Woodleigh or Degol)and a special finnish powder our favorite 8x60S is able to get nearly the same velocity as the longer 64S or 8,5!

Now that's just not fair to this 8x60S owner!! Care to elaborate on how much N550 that is?

quote:

Originally posted by 1894mk2:
Now that's just not fair to this 8x60S owner!! Care to elaborate on how much N550 that is?

I too would be curious...

Carcano