coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
I handload, and I'm seeking documented data that will provide me with some full-power load choices for an 8mm Mauser. Does anyone have a good source for this information?
For those of you who are familiar with the 8mm Mauser, you are also probably aware of the fact that this great cartridge has been largely neutered in the United States, thanks primarily to the ol' .318 vs .323 bore diameter deal from 100 years ago (the "J" vs "JS" subject).
I'm aware that (when properly loaded) the 8mm Mauser will easily stand toe-to-toe with the .30-06. Unfortunately it seems like we've brought it down to .30-30 territory in this country.
I've also noticed that Sellier and Bellot seems to make some full-power loaded ammo, and that surplus ammo runs at full-power. However, I want to build some qualifty elk hunting ammo for my Mauser, and handloading seems like the best choice. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much full-power data available.
Here's what I know at this point:
1) The only handloads I've run through my Mauser so far were loaded with 175 grain SP Sierra Spitzer bullets. Some of these loads performed very well in my old relic of a gun, though I'm still in the load development stage, and haven't chrono'd any of the loads.
Sierra's data tops out at 2600 fps in this powder choice (H380). All in all, I don't think that's a terrible performance from this cartridge, and it appears better than some of the other listed data I've found. Still, S&B's factory loads produce that velocity with a 196gr bullet, so I'm thinking that Sierra is still using a fairly conservative load... I'm guessing it doesn't account for a huge difference in the real world, and the Sierra bullets are a leading choice for me at the moment, based on my initial loads.
2) Barnes bullets provides full-power data for this cartridge, but I tried loading some of their listed loads, and found that they were heavily compressed even by the time I reached middle loads. As such, I'm not sure how well Barnes bullets will work out with their listed choice of H380 powder (NOTE: Barnes showed a listed velocity in maximum loads of 2730fps with a 180grain TSX BT bullet). Hodgdon doesn't list that powder choice in their data, but doesn't seem to provide full-power load data (in the powders that I stock, their information tops out at 2570fps with Varget powder).
NOTE: As a point of reference from the world of factory ammo, S&B loads their 8mm Mauser ammo with 196 grain bullets, and lists a velocity that is just shy of 2600fps. On the other hand, Remington only loads a 170 grain bullet to 2360fps.
I'm certainly not determined to hunt only with maximum loads, and I realize that the best accuracy may come from a load that is below the maximum. But, I certainly want to make sure that I don't give up too much speed by loading from data that doesn't maximize the potential of this cartridge. However, beyond the choices I've already named, I haven't found much good data for the 8x57 JS. I'm obviously not the reloading expert on this forum, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
For those of you who are familiar with the 8mm Mauser, you are also probably aware of the fact that this great cartridge has been largely neutered in the United States, thanks primarily to the ol' .318 vs .323 bore diameter deal from 100 years ago (the "J" vs "JS" subject).
I'm aware that (when properly loaded) the 8mm Mauser will easily stand toe-to-toe with the .30-06. Unfortunately it seems like we've brought it down to .30-30 territory in this country.
I've also noticed that Sellier and Bellot seems to make some full-power loaded ammo, and that surplus ammo runs at full-power. However, I want to build some qualifty elk hunting ammo for my Mauser, and handloading seems like the best choice. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much full-power data available.
Here's what I know at this point:
1) The only handloads I've run through my Mauser so far were loaded with 175 grain SP Sierra Spitzer bullets. Some of these loads performed very well in my old relic of a gun, though I'm still in the load development stage, and haven't chrono'd any of the loads.
Sierra's data tops out at 2600 fps in this powder choice (H380). All in all, I don't think that's a terrible performance from this cartridge, and it appears better than some of the other listed data I've found. Still, S&B's factory loads produce that velocity with a 196gr bullet, so I'm thinking that Sierra is still using a fairly conservative load... I'm guessing it doesn't account for a huge difference in the real world, and the Sierra bullets are a leading choice for me at the moment, based on my initial loads.
2) Barnes bullets provides full-power data for this cartridge, but I tried loading some of their listed loads, and found that they were heavily compressed even by the time I reached middle loads. As such, I'm not sure how well Barnes bullets will work out with their listed choice of H380 powder (NOTE: Barnes showed a listed velocity in maximum loads of 2730fps with a 180grain TSX BT bullet). Hodgdon doesn't list that powder choice in their data, but doesn't seem to provide full-power load data (in the powders that I stock, their information tops out at 2570fps with Varget powder).
NOTE: As a point of reference from the world of factory ammo, S&B loads their 8mm Mauser ammo with 196 grain bullets, and lists a velocity that is just shy of 2600fps. On the other hand, Remington only loads a 170 grain bullet to 2360fps.
I'm certainly not determined to hunt only with maximum loads, and I realize that the best accuracy may come from a load that is below the maximum. But, I certainly want to make sure that I don't give up too much speed by loading from data that doesn't maximize the potential of this cartridge. However, beyond the choices I've already named, I haven't found much good data for the 8x57 JS. I'm obviously not the reloading expert on this forum, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited:
