Date of manufacture for Remington Model 8

[MarineTech]

I just picked up a Remington Model 8 rifle in .35 Remington from a friend of mine. It's in very good condition for a rifle this old. I intend rebuild it as I'm able to find parts, and actually carry it on a deer hunt or 2 here in Maine. I was curious as to when this one was produced.

serial number is 372XX with a "K" in a circle beneath it.

Also, where I plan to actually fire the rifle, I'm wondering what the original .35 Remington load was that these rifles were designed to use. I currently load for the M1A/M14, and I know that some semiautos are designed with a specific pressure curve in mind. I don't want to put undue stress on the action, so I'd like to keep things as close to the original specs as possible. There are a number of commercial loads available in .35 Remington, with a 200gr. bullet seeming to be the standard.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[Gordon]

I am really reluctant to tell you how much RL-7 and a 200 grain Remington corelokt I use at factory type velocity(1950fps) in my rebuilt model 8. A long recoil gun doesn't have a gas port to please like an m-14 or m-1 so is FAIRLY tolerant of burn rates. The overall impulse matters though so stick with 200 grain and less weight. You CAN safely use 158 grain jacketed .357 bullets at 2400 fps for a great destructo load. My favorite deer load is 180 grain Speer bullet at about 2200 fps with enough(top Speer reccomended load ) of H335 to group well (under 3" with tang sight). A great choice and a great 100yd gun and load. The big ole Recoil spring is the critical spring. Remember model 8's don't have fireing pin return springs , carefull with loaded chambers! You CAN modify bolt to take a Mod 81 return spring by running a slightly oversize drill in bore of firing pin hole.

 

[Gordon]

From Remington Archives: That # was made 1921-22.

 

[MarineTech]

Gordon, thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the load you mentioned and thanks for reminding me that all semiautos are not gas operated. Guess I've gotten too involved with Garands, M14s, M1 Carbines, and AR15s the last few years that I plain forgot there were other methods of semiauto operation. :banghead: