8x57 data

[Abran]

I’m new here, and this my first post! I’ve read on here for many years and y’all have a lot of knowledge, so I made an account to ask questions I’ve had a difficult time getting answered.

I have a Russian capture k98k rifle that I have made my own reloads for for years but never really developed an accurate load for. My eyesight with the irons wouldn’t let me really do it. But I have a badace ultra low profile scout rail being delivered tomorrow and will be ordering a Leupold scout scope soon, so it’s time

I want to develop a good hunting load. I wanted Barnes ttsx but couldn’t find them in stock anywhere so I ordered 100 Nosler bt’s 180gr. I have a small amount of r15, maybe half a pound of 4064 and most of a pound of h335. About 75 cci bench rest primers and almost 200 win magnum lr primers. Don’t have a ransom rest or anything, just a solid table with sandbags and a 50yd range. I’m in N.C. so smallish whitetails and feral hogs. There’s black bears but I don’t care to go after them. I would like to travel out of state for elk eventually but that’ll be awhile.

what load data would you guys recommend?

im willing to buy other powders but the stuff seems to be rather scarce at the moment...
Also if I ever get my hands on the 150gr ttsx bullets what would y’all recommend for that?

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I would start with the H335. It seems to be very good powder. I’ve read (but never tried it in 8x57) that CFE 223 is very accurate with 180 gr bullets. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[Bfh_auto]

CFE223 and IMR4064 are my preferred choices.
4064 is about perfect.
CFE223 is a velocity king in 8x57.

 

[troy fairweather]

Of not sporterized and has the original sights it's better to load to what works for poa. I don't know where you live but I would start with the powder the least sensitive to temperature, start in the middle to top on the data

 

[Abran]

It’s not sportered but this week it’s getting a scope mounted scout style, no other changes to the rifle. I know 4064 has a really good rep, that’s why I have it, but I’m not sure I have enough left to work up a load AND have rounds ready for the upcoming season...

i live in N.C. and humidity is a b****. Temp usually only fluctuates 20 degrees in a day, but we can go from highs in the 90’s to 40’s and back in a matter of days....

i think im gonna run the 335 for now, it’s the only powder I currently have plenty of, and everywhere locally seems to have very slim pickings atm...

 

[Abran]

If anybody has a proven load for 180 Nosler bt’s and 335 I’d really appreciate it for a starting point...
Original military obf barrel btw

 

[troy fairweather]

Don't forget the speer bullets, very good bullet and cheap.

 

[Abran]

I have some Speer hot cor 150s on hand actually. Good cheap plunger bullets. When it comes to killing though I want the best/most reputable bullets I can get. I might be taking its life but I want it to suffer as little as possible. Otherwise I’d just use my ar... it’d do the job on the little deer we have but chances aren’t as good for it being clean... bigger ain’t necessarily better, but a big a** bullet that’s solid has a better chance of being sure...

 

[troy fairweather]

There probably have been more deer killed with Speer bullets in the 8x57 then any other, just cuz there cheap doesn't mean there sub par. There construction is about perfect for the 8mms speed and deer sized game.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

If you have a Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's reasonably nearby you can order IMR 4064 and / or a number of other powders online and use their free ship-to-store option to not incur any HazMat or shipping costs for porchases of available powders and primers.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/imr-4064-smokeless-reloading-powder

Right now ATM CCI BR2 Large Rifle Benchrest (Match) Primers are available for online purchase also.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cci-benchrest-primers

All powders & primers. Availability fluctuates.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pri...ageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:16&

 

[Abran]

Actually I have both within an hours drive. I called the Cabela’s to ask about that and the lady said the store and warehouse was wiped clean. But if it’s available for ship to store on the website I’ll check that out. At least once I get out of quarantine.... bloody virus....

 

[Mr. Zorg]

The employees at my local Bass Pro Shop don't seem to be well trained and educated on their online purchase options. While I was there recently picking up my online purchases after checking in at the online orders counter I strolled upstairs to browse. On my way back downstairs I overheard a store employee informing a shopper that not only did they not have any of the powders he was looking for in stock, but he didn't expect the store to receive any powder shipments to have available until further notice, and never mentioned the online purchase options.

My online orders typically arrive at my designated store within a week and the email notifying me my shipment has arrived details my purchase will be held for pickup for another 2 weeks. For example I ordered Remington 1.5 Small Pistol Primers on August 16 with free ship-to-store option. I received an email they arrived August 21 noting they'll be held for pickup until September 5. I'm waiting for a few other items I ordered that got delayed in transit due to Hurricane Laura that should have arrived late last week that are now rescheduled to arrive tomorrow before I go to my local store.

The online order procedure allows you to designate someone else to pick up the order, but I've never used that option.

Thought you could use that to think about while quarantined. If you have less than 2 weeks to go you shouldn't have any problems with being able to pick up anything you order today, plus shipping time to get your order to your store. Often I'm able to get a FedEx tracking number for my order after it ships using the "Track My Order" option and expanding the travel history that allows me to set up my own notifications in the FedEx system directly but other times I can't it's been about 50/50 for my orders. I figure orders I can't track are being shipped in trucks owned by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's instead of being sent FedEx Ground to my designated store but either way I haven't had to pay any HazMat or shipping costs for any orders I've made that included primers and / or powder.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I have some Speer hot cor 150s on hand actually. Good cheap plunger bullets. When it comes to killing though I want the best/most reputable bullets I can get. I might be taking its life but I want it to suffer as little as possible. Otherwise I’d just use my ar... it’d do the job on the little deer we have but chances aren’t as good for it being clean... bigger ain’t necessarily better, but a big a** bullet that’s solid has a better chance of being sure...

From experience. A 150gr 8x57 will punch through both shoulders on a 200 pound deer.
My dad used Speer 150s. Don't worry about them.
If your hunting up close. Just start with a ladder every half grain till you get to the max. One of each should be sufficient to max sure you don't have pressure signs.
Then start at about 75 percent of the max and work up. Usually you find good accuracy between max and 3/4s.
This will easily get you a 200 yard load without too much wasted ammo.