loading for 8 x 57 JS

[TimT]

picking up my VZ24 today. recommend to me a powder that you have found to be excellent in respects to the Nosler 200 Partiton. what is considered to be the maximum powder charge. I will have the head space checked afore I do anything as well. thanks.

 

[Lupara]

I can't help you with the Noslers, but I am reloading 200 grs Sierra Matchkings in front of Varget (46.2 grs) and N 140 (45.7 grs) to my full satisfaction. Just follow the recommendations published in the manuals and work your way up from 10% below max. 8 x 57 IS is known to have sweet spots in the lower as well as in the upper part of the load ladder. Thus you may find it more comfortable to shoot an accurate load which doesn't kick that hard. Mine does, however, but I don't care.

 

[BsChoy]

In my K98 I found IMR4064 and varget both give great accuracy but the 4064 loads seem to recoil less and shoot to POA. The Varget rounds kicked harder and shot low but grouped really nice as well. This was all with 150 Hornady spire points.

 

[Lupara]

"This was all with 150 Hornady spire points."

BsChoy, good you mention that as I'm about to order HDY SPPs or Sierra Pro Hunters as a less expensive alternative to the 200 MKs.

 

[TimT]

just got back from the big city and with my VZ24, bought a few boxes of the Romanian full metal jackets to "just" see what is up. had my smith check the head space and it is pretty tight, bore is strong and wood and metals pretty fine considering the age of the weapon.

I will look into the Woodleighs or the Partitions along with my manuals-thanks.

 

[BsChoy]

I love hornady bullets. I usually try them first and don't change after the first try!

 

[Bad Flynch]

There is a problem with loading for the 8x57 JS (IS, 7.92mm): American (SAAMI) specs are different than European (CIP) specs. The SAAMI has a Maximum Average Pressure of about 35000 psi and the CIP allows for around 53000 psi. The rather mediocre SAAMI standards may be in deference to the old Commision Gewehr M88 rifle, which was a weak sister and was supposed to shoot a smaller bullet (0.318"). The M88 was not anywhere near the strength of your rifle. US loaded ammo usually will not cycle semi-autos chambered for the 7,92x57 because of this. Good European ammo, like S&B or RWS, etc., will do better.

You rifle is regularly customized and chambered for hot cartridges like the .25-284 and so on, so it will take full steam 8mm Mauser loads any day of the week, if it is in good shape. The trouble is, finding an American loading manual that lists full-steam loads. Look for a loading manual that lists MAP and pick loads that will develop the full potential of your rifle.

8mm Mousers generally shoot well, if their bores are in reasonably good shape. The military chambers are usually generous and the throats usually long, so shoot bullets that are around the same weight as military ball.

 

[TimT]

thanks, got some 200 grn Partitions coming in, will be using my QL program, weigh in a fired brass with a spent primer w/H20 and bbl. length, COAL determined by upto lands measurement etc.etc........

pretty neat rifle.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I shoot mostly 150 grain bullets through my various Mausers, using IMR 4895. I load them to European specs and the accuracy is pretty good. That Romanian ammunition is more than likely corrosive, so use some soap and hot water to clean the rifle right after firing it. If you don't, it will attract water pretty quickly and rust like crazy.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[dakotasin]

for a hunting application the 8x57 is hard pressed to get enough velocity up w/ 200 grain bullets to get good expansion.

i've found h-380 to be a great powder w/ 175 sierras.

 

[BsChoy]

What about softer bullets like the sierra's? The hodgdon manual has them at over 2500 fps, it seems fast enough to open at close to medium range.

 

[TimT]

that is a good note Fred.

dakotasin. I hope you are incorrect about that, I surely do. I have personally used and have seen what my .30-30AI does with 170 Partitions "just for example" with our big burly animals in my parts and they work out well indeed-although many claim the .30-30 is just a "deer" rifle. Sectional Density is from my Nosler manual .274 and that is for the 200grn. Part. and the 170grn. in the .30-30 is .256, so if that is any indication of use then it "seems" good. The ranges are with 200yds of use - mostly moose and bears would be within 20-50yds----just a life style I lead dakotasin, thanks.

 

[PikeStaff]

I have been using Accurate Arms 2460 with Hornady 125 gr., Sierra 150 gr., and Sierra 175 gr. for many years. 125's run out at near 3300 fps; the 150's on the hi end of 2800fps, and the 175's around 2550fps. Load weights are comparable to others and accuracy is excellent - 2-1/2" to 3" with iron sights at 100 yds. Whitetails hit with any do not take so much as one more step.

Accurate 2520 is also an excellent charge, albeit in the lighter weights.