Anybody have experience with the 8x56R Hungarian Steyr M95?

[Selfdfenz]

That's an excellent report drjhigg. It looks like you have enough variables to deal with already but do you plan to try any cast bullets?

I wish you well with the project. This may be a rifle with good performance characteristics but due to the problems associated with ammo it's true capabilities haven't been fully explored. It's encouraging to see you and other THRers who've participated in this thread are willing to step up to the challenge and see what's possible.

Best

S-

 

[drjhigg]

Thanks, do you have any recommendations on lead bullets of correct diameter? With lead I like heavy and slow best. I don't know how to paper patch, so I would think 200 or 220 gr bullets at about 1800 fps or less would suit. My rifle has nice deep rifling, no significant pitting, but there are a lot of machining marks in the bore that would probably contribute to rapid leading at higher velocities.

 

[72coupe]

I took my M95 Steyr to the range today but only 10 rounds of 205 grain Hornadys over 35 grains of TAC and 10 rounds of 100 grain pistol bullets also loaded over 35 grains of TAC.

I should have started at 25 yards to see what the aiming piont is. There were several people that wanted to shoot the little carbine and I barely had enough ammo to get a shot with it myself.

One of the bullets was shooting very high and keyholing and the other was shooting very low.

What a fun little carbine to shoot. Everyone at the range really liked it.

 

[Mike 56]

Friday my clips, brass, bullets, and dies came. I loaded twenty 205gr bullets with 48gr IMR4350. What kind of powder is TAC? Monday i get to pickup my M95 i live in CA and that is when my ten day wait is over. I will get the rifle cleaned up Monday and will be off to the range on Tuesday.

Mike

 

[72coupe]

Mike, TAC powder is sold by Ramshot. It is the same burn rate as 4895. I bought 48 pounds of it when Powder Valley had it on sale for $88 per 8 pound jug including shipping and haz mat.

I loaded 20 grains of 4198 behind the 100 grain revolver bullet and fired them at 100 yards. This load solved the keyholing problem but I need to find some kapok to fill all the empty space in the case.

I had a primer fire but not ingite the powder. This drove the bullet hard into the rifling and had to be driven out with a rod and a hammer.

 

[Mike 56]

I wonder how 13gr of red dot would work. I will ask Ed Harris he will have a load for reddot or bullseye. Try raising the front of your rifle after cambering a round to get the powder in the bottom of the case. Maybe that will help. Let me know.

Mike

 

[72coupe]

I did raise the front of the rifle on subsequent shots but I shoot from prone with a sling and doing this is a pain.

I'll just get some kapok and fill the rest of the case.