Reloading 8mm Mauser

[nacra81]

Hi there,

I have never reloaded 8mm mauser before and am looking for any advice that anyone would be willing to throw my way. I am primarily looking to reload for high precision/accuracy hunting loads for my sportorized WW2 bolt action.

Will probably try to buy quality new brass to start. Hand measure every load, check every bullet for COAL, etc.
Other than a full length resizing die & bullet seating die will I need any other dies? Does anybody crimp these for bolt action rifles?

 

[SSL]

First, be sure what bore you have. They came in two bore diameters - the older "S" uses .318" bullets while the newer "JS" (actually the J is an I) uses a .323" bullet. Mixing them up could cause serious issues. Likely yours is a JS, but better to be safe.

 

[DGP4]

You'll need a neck sizing die to extend the life of your brass and do not crimp if you want accuracy! Your best bet for accuracy is 180 grain bullets on 4064 powder.

 

[gdbleb]

Norma makes what is probably the best 8x57 JS brass nowadays. Good advice above on 180 gr over 4064. Try Sierra 150 - pro-hunters for comfort.

 

[dchamp]

Hi there,

I have never reloaded 8mm mauser before and am looking for any advice that anyone would be willing to throw my way. I am primarily looking to reload for high precision/accuracy hunting loads for my sportorized WW2 bolt action.

Will probably try to buy quality new brass to start. Hand measure every load, check every bullet for COAL, etc.
Other than a full length resizing die & bullet seating die will I need any other dies? Does anybody crimp these for bolt action rifles?

The 8x57 has been a long time favorite of mine. I use H4895 and IMR3031 for 160 TTSX bullets and CFE223 for 180 and heavier bullets. The 160 TTSX has been my primary hunting bullet for the 8x57. As well as deer it has taken Kudu, Zebra and Wilderbeest and Leopard. The leopard was with a 180gr Nosler BT. I have had good luck with R 9-1/2 primers. R-P, Norma and Lapua brass are all good and have lasted a fair amount of reloading. Varget and Norma 203-B also work well for 180-196gr bullets. I am sure there are a lot of other powders that work as easily well. I think you will find loading the 8x57 ti be pretty straight forward.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Like dchamp, I use CFE223 and 160grain TTSX and 170 grain Hornady SST's. Expect hunting accuracy from the military barrel and be pleased with anything better!

 

[Flouncer]

Anyone have a line on Barnes TTSX 160g in .323 ? Unable to source for about 18 months. Thanks
8x57 Tikka and Yugo 24/47

 

[DocCarbon]

Anyone have a line on Barnes TTSX 160g in .323 ? Unable to source for about 18 months. Thanks
8x57 Tikka and Yugo 24/47

Some times Graft & Sons has a variety of bullets ,PPU 's are GOOD buys ,that's what I feed My K98's Yugo 24

https://www.buckduckturk.com/32362-8mm-323-160gr-ttsx-bt-50

 

[Flouncer]

Thanks Doc. Only time I have seen them this entire time. Buckduck is the worst webpage order page I have ever used. What a Pile - Your account cannot currently make live charges. If you are the site owner, please activate your account at https://dashboard.stripe.com/account/onboarding to remove this limitation. If you are a customer trying to make a purchase, please contact the owner of this site. Your transaction has not been processed.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

I have made 8MM out of 30-06 brass; it is not difficult. I use on IMR 4064 with excellent results. Depending on the rifle 150 gr bullets can work nicely or in the case of faster twist rifles such as the K98 heavier bullets like the 180gr work better. YMMV of course. I have found 8MM the easiest caliber in my collection to work up and I have 4 rifles of that caliber.

 

[tommeboy]

You will get your best accuracy from Sierra 200gr bthp match bullets. I had a turkish mauser built in 8x57 with a M40 barrel profile. it was a ER Shaw barrel. It shot good up to 300 or so rounds. Then it started to shoot better and better every time i went out. the throat was very short. And as it wore in I was finally able to seat the bullets at what Sierra called for. varget was the powder of choice with this one. When it finally settled down it would put 5 rounds into a 0.21"-0.25" groups.

And stay away from remington brass. It is very thin in the necks. I had 3 die sets and none would size the case enough to hold a bullet. Converted 3006 brass is the best. The necks will be thicker and will fill the chamber better. Just make sure to anneal them.