What kind of powder for 8x57

All the usual powders for the military cartridges of that era will work well. Look up some data for 4895 and BL-C(2) and see if you like the numbers. Hodgdon has a few newer powders that might work well for you too, like Varget and CFE223.

i shot my 8mm today.. I use imr 4320,150 gr bullets,I get 1/2 in at 100 yards,,

I use 4350 in my 280. but thats a nother story.

I only use the imr 4320 for my 8 MM.. it works for me..Good luck..

I use IMR 4895.

I have a friend who swears by IMR 4350.

RL 15 would be a good choice also.

Roger

h4895 works well for me

I've used IMR4895 for a few years with good results. I can keep my rounds at 2" with a scoped rifle at 100.00 yards with my handloads. I don't think that's bad for a barral designed for combat accuracy in the early 1940's. I also load mine down to 30-30 pressures so it's light on shoulder.

Given the bore to volume ration I think your best bets would be powders in the medium burning rate range. I used to use IMR 4320 but I would be willing to guess that you can find decent loads for RL-15 or maybe H414.

4350 wouldn't be a terrible choice for heavier bullets, say 200 grains.

crazysccrmd said:

Looks 4895 or Varget might be the best choices. I'm comparing velocities, pressures and amount of powder needed and those both look pretty good. Also both are on the reloading tables for 22-250, 6mm and .308 which live in my home too. Would both powders make a good across the board starting point for those calibers?

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IMR 4895 is a very versatile powder. I have loaded everything from 223 to 460 Weatherby with it. I also load 8x57 with it. Part of my choice for using 4895 though is running it in semi auto rifles. The burn rate is important because it effects the gas port pressure. The 8mm I shoot the most is a G43 so this is very important for me.

By the way, I don't think you mentioned what rifle you were loading for, or what you were trying to do with it.

I use IMR 4895, and IMR 3031. I have obtained some IMR 4320, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

As compared with 30 caliber cartridges, the 8mm has a larger bore diameter. That provides more bore volume for the gas to expand into. This, in turn, calls for powder that is faster than is optimum for the 30-06. Varget is one good choice.

Varget!!!!

You just can't go wrong with Varget in 8x57.

Looks 4895 or Varget might be the best choices. I'm comparing velocities, pressures and amount of powder needed and those both look pretty good. Also both are on the reloading tables for 22-250, 6mm and .308 which live in my home too. Would both powders make a good across the board starting point for those calibers?

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I think those 2 are a great place to start. Load up a few with both powders and see which your barrel likes better.

In working up loads for one of my 8x57s I used 4064, 4320, 4350 and AA2520. All were acceptable, but I found one 2520 load (maximum, I might add) that shot into 1" at 100 yds on sandbags and using open sights (and witnessed by several other shooters). I don't shoot it all the time, but I have some loaded that I keep in case I want to use it for hunting or impressing my buds... I went through a lot of loads with 150 & 170 gr bullets before I found the 2 or 3 I settled on, but it was fun. I also picked up some 220 gr for 8mm Mags that I thought I'd shoot for fun & see how they do. I don't think the 8x57 will push them fast enough to expand but it would sure punch a hole in a hog...

I found that Varget in my built 8mm Mauser gave no where near expected velocity, but H4895 bested expectations.
Just one of many reasons that H4895 is just about my favorite powder in several different calibers. It is extremely versatile.


NCsmitty

I like IMR4350, 4831 and 4895 for most mid-capacity (45-65 gr.) rifle cartridges.

Another vote for 2520.

NCsmitty said:

I found that Varget in my built 8mm Mauser gave no where near expected velocity

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I found the same when using Varget and Sierra 175gr SP in my K98. I guess I'll be the first to suggest W748, you won't find a powder that meters better and really pushed that bullet along. Mag primers. Mine isn't scoped so I can't really comment on accuracy.

we already have a can of IMR4350

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4350 is a great general purpose powder that gives good performance over a wide range of cartridges, from .30-30 to the massive Ultra Mags. I stock far more of it than anything else.

In the last Yugo 8x57 I had, I got 2750 FPS at a measured 53.8 KPSI with Varget. All the 4350s were too slow to give respectable MV with anything but the heavier bullets.

For the bullet weights you specified; IMR4895, H4895, IMR4064, Big Game, W748...... I'll be waiting for CFE 223 to come out. But I wont hold my breath with Hodgeden's published velocities with that powder.

I had some PMC cases and loaded some 150 Hornady's, dumped 48 grain of H4895, shot it over the chrony and averaged 2765 fps. Just a mild load and a fart around load, nothing serious. I dont have a use for anything lighter than the 175 grain sierra in the 8x57. I'll get an accuracy picture for the 150's when I go to the range for giggles.

The above data was shot out of a Rem 700 Classic 8x57.

I'm using IMR4350 and Big Game for a 200 grain Nosler Partition work-up. Someone already posted that IMR4350 is best with 200 grain+. I agree. It is what I will use when I work up a load for the 250 Grainers.