8mm Mauser reduced loads

[longshooter99]

In the latest issue of Handloader, Mike Venturino talks about loading reduced (squib, gallery, whisper, etc) for old military cartridges. While the article covered Mausers to Mosins, Enfields and Springfields, my main focus would be the 8mm Mauser cartridge. While I don't have my copy on hand, I know Mike used Trail Boss and the same charge for all cartridges, which I THINK was 5 grains. He also mainly used cast bullets that were either very light for caliber or pistol bullets.

Now, I don't have any experience with cast bullets (yet) nor any with trail boss and reduced loads. I'm curious as to using 85gr 8mm Nambu bullets from Buffalo Arms loaded to low velocity. My main concern is that these bullets are listed as .320 diameter as opposed to .323 for your regular 8mm rifle loads, and yes I am fully aware of the barrel diameter differences in these old Mauser rifles.

I'm mainly looking at making these rounds for fun plinking and maybe poking around for small game. Any of you guys have tips for these reduced loads or have you ever used these smaller Nambu bullets in a rifle?

Here is the link to Buffalo Arms if your are curious,
http://www.buffaloarms.com/8mm_Nambu_Bullets_it-157027.aspx?MANF=878

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lafitte]

Hodgdon reloading website recommends using H4895 for reduced rifle loads. They reduce the maximum load to 60% as a starting load. If the max load is 50gr then reduce to 30gr for a start. I haven't used it in 8mm, just 30/06 and 45/70. They warn not to use IMR4895, stick to Hodgdon 4895. Visit their website for more information.

Lafitte

 

[WelshShooter]

For the .320" bullets you may need to buy a sizing die with the appropriate size bushing. I use PPU cases for my 8mm Mauser and 200gr FMJ bullets. After neck sizing the brass (internal diameter .3225") some of the bullets could be seated by hand. I found that a large majority of the bullets were measuring as .322". There wasn't enough retention by the case to hold the bullet in place. If you can solve this problem then you should be able to load .320" but I can't speak for how accurate they will be.

With regards to reduced loads, I'm not familiar with using Trail Boss but I do know that it is a pretty bulky powder. I have used Accurate 5744 in my Enfield (28gr max with a 174gr bullet) which works pretty well, check Western Powders Ramshot to see if they have a loading for this powder and 8mm Mauser. You might want to consult "The Load" which has been established as 15gr Red Dot, I believe it was tested in 8mm Mauser and .30'06 sprng but best you have a google and see what you get.

It's your responsibility to load safely, don't just accept what I've said above, check published data before consulting load data posted online.

 

[kcofohio]

There are two sources I know of for loading old surplus rifles using lead bullets and pistol powders.

An article by C. E. "Ed" Harris titled "Cast Bullet Loads for Military Rifles". Or something to that effect. It's a good read. Covers light loads to loads nearing 2000 fps. with gas checked bullets.

The other is Lyman's Old Military Rifles booklet. It covers both lead and jacketed bullets.

Of all the loads with cast bullets in 8mm, I think I have seen down to maybe 125 gr. in cast.

If it was me, I wouldn't use a cast bullet under .323", unless you have a 7.92x57 that takes a .318" bullet

 

[clearcut]

Over on the Castboolits forum you can find a lot of mouse fart loads,one of my favorite loads is 150 grn. cast over 5.5 grns. of 473 AA for my 30-30. These are fun and addicting and low budget.

CC

 

[Sunray]

Those ".320" diameter 85 grain copper coated bullets are plated pistol bullets and are the wrong diameter for 8mm Mauser. 8mm Nambu is a Japanese pistol cartridge.
If you want reduced rifle loads, use light cast bullets. But use rifle bullets of the correct diameter.

 

[kcofohio]

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/Classics/Cast%20Bullet%20loads%20for%20Military%20rifles.pdf

Here is a .pdf file of that article from C. E. Harris, "Cast Bullet Loads for Military Rifles".

It's a worthy read.

 

[AlfieB]

Try 13 gr. Red Dot with just about any jacketed bullet 30 cal. or larger. I don,'t know why, but it it's pretty accurate. An old Gun Digest article called it "THE LOAD".