8mm Mauser Pet Loads

Big Dog · 05-17-2009, 02:29 PM

So far, I have shot 8mm Mauser handloads only from my Yugo M48 (not yet shot the M43 Spanish and M1903 Turk with handloads). The M48 has a preference of a somewhat heavier bullet. The Hornady 150 grain SP Spitzer didn't shoot as tight as I wanted. The Hornady 170 grain .323 Roundnose SP over 52 grains of H4831 was better, at least equalling the Yugo 70's production surplus ammo. So this will be my datum point for further testing.
This load is the starting load listed in Hodgdon's data, so I have some room for testing. Recoil was moderate. It would do nicely for our local deer hunting.

gandog56 · 05-17-2009, 03:05 PM

I've heard many people say their Mausers prefer the heavier bullets. Being an 8mm newbie, I just started with 200 grainers.

Big Dog · 05-18-2009, 06:47 AM

The military 8mm Mauser loads are generally either the original 196 grain (as the Germans used it) or a 154 grain bullet (Turk and some newer East European stuff). The Romanian 8mm being sold now is the 154 grain load, and guys on Gunboards ammo forum report it being basically 'blasting ammo', not well suited for accuracy. But then that is why we handload!

I'd love to find some 200 grain .323 bullets, but haven't found them locally. I did find a 50-piece box of 220 grain SP, but haven't tried them yet. Those things are HUGE when you are accustomed to 150 grainers!

devilfrog · 06-04-2009, 10:13 PM

I acquired 200 Sierra 200 GR MatchKings from a friend who didn't want them. I of course agreed to take them off his hand for my German K98.

Now I just need to figure out what to load them with, hopefully using Varget or IMR4895.

Big Dog · 06-05-2009, 08:51 AM

The fellers over on the Gunboards Ammo forum say their experience bears out my finding that Mauser Short Rifles (24" barrel or so) generally prefer the heavier bullets while the long toms seem to prefer the lighter bullets.
My Turk M1903 (29" barrel) shoots best with the Turk 154 grain loads, among the surplus I have tried.

roverboy · 06-05-2009, 09:42 AM

If I ever get dies I'm gonna go with maybe 170 gr.
I've not had good luck finding dies yet. Anybody know where
to find good dies?

Big Dog · 06-05-2009, 01:39 PM

Got mine from my local Sportsman's Warehouse store - they have a very good selection of RCBS dies.
These don't come with shell holders, but the 8mm Mauser uses the same as the .308Win and .45 ACP.

Palladin8 · 06-05-2009, 03:04 PM

Midway, Grafs, Natchez, Midsouth shooters supply, Wideners, etc, etc, They all can't be out of the dies at the sametime.

twtalbot · 06-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

dont have an accuracy load, but i do have a hunting load for it. 170gr hornady round nose over 49grns of IMR 4064. this is not a starting load, work your way up to it.

I haven't experimented a lot; the chambering is still new to me, but with 49 grains of 4064, my Yugo 24/47 shoots 5, 175 grain Sierra ProHunters into a 1 1/4 x 4 inch vertical string at 50 yards. I think the rifle and load are plenty accurate; my eyesight and the "V" sights are to blame for the stringing.

gandog56 · 06-07-2009, 06:07 PM

My latest batch of 8mm was to use up the rest of my H4350. I used 200 grain Sierra Hot-Cor HCHP's and fifty grains of H4350. Now it will be back to H4895.

Big Dog · 06-08-2009, 07:37 AM

I just loaded twenty 8mm Mauser using the Sierra 175 grain Spitzer over Alliant RL15 powder - my first trying this powder for the Mauser.
The big grains do NOT meter well in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure, so this was my first time really getting down and trickling grain by grain! Should be my most consistent loads yet - just hope the extra care pays off.

gandog56 · 06-08-2009, 10:33 AM

Of course this means a range report will be required. And every time I hear about a bad metering powder I thank myself for getting my PACT digital scale/high speed dispenser.

Big Dog · 06-08-2009, 01:44 PM

Yep, I have been eyeing a nice electronic scale/dispenser at SW.....

But it's hard to justify the cost.

Just bought another box of the 175 grain Spitzers. Heck, the way things are going, I'll be 'plinking' with my Mauser handloads - it's cheaper than .22 rimfire!

gandog56 · 06-08-2009, 02:01 PM

I just found 100 196 grain soft points for 20 bucks. Was that good?

P.S. I couldn't really afford it either, but it sure beats hand weighing stick and flake powders!

thaddy1978 · 06-13-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverboy

Indy your right about Europe loading to
max or near max levels. I got some Yugo
surplus ammo that will flat out turn you
around. The Turk ammo will too. Its a
lot different than shooting American
170 gr. I don't have dies yet but am
going to buy some soon. I want to
try Hornady 150 gr. or Sierra 150.
Should be a good deer load.

And are those the rounds that go BOOM...? I don't mean boom, but BOOM!!! I got some Olympic stuff (I don't think its manufactured anymore, but it surprised the crap out of everyone. Had some surplus as well...I loaded with 4 surplus and one Olympic round to see (hear & feel) the difference...most noticeable! I figured the surplus stuff would be just as loud and kick just as hard...?

Big Dog · 06-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

I just found 100 196 grain soft points for 20 bucks. Was that good?

P.S. I couldn't really afford it either, but it sure beats hand weighing stick and flake powders!

That is a good price! I'm paying 26 to 29 bucks per hundred for 8mm Mauser bullets depending on weight. The Sierra 220 grain Spitzer was $22 per 50!

Mauser Madness · 02-16-2010, 10:05 AM

a good hand load that i have found is the following

1. Remington case (brass)

2. Speer hot-core 200 grain spitzer

3.CCI 200 large rifle primers

4. IMR 4064

5. Powder charge 44.0 grains

6. Seat bullet to a deapth of 3.200 inches

this seams to be a good combination in my rifle i use a Yugoslavian M24/47 this load out of my rifle prints a 1 -1 3/4 group of the bench at 100 yards try it for yourself all rifles will shoot differently good luck

thaddy1978 · 02-16-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twtalbot

I haven't experimented a lot; the chambering is still new to me, but with 49 grains of 4064, my Yugo 24/47 shoots 5, 175 grain Sierra ProHunters into a 1 1/4 x 4 inch vertical string at 50 yards. I think the rifle and load are plenty accurate; my eyesight and the "V" sights are to blame for the stringing.

I also have a 24/47 and love it! I just started reloading for it and while I have yet to be able to figure out accuracy, as the furthest I've been able to shoot is about 40 yards, I have found a load that I do like. 175 gr ProHunter usin 49 gr of Varget. I like that fact that Varget is not affected by temperatures lke other powders. I load in my shed and it tends to be a little cold in the winter. Not finding any 8mm brass, My first 50 reloads were using Winchester 30-06 converted brass.

And as several others have said, I have read in a few places: use heavier bullets. My next will be Sierra 200 or 220 gr bullets.

Midas · 02-16-2010, 11:41 PM

My favorite load for the 8x57 is 48.0 grs of IMR 4064 under a Speer 170 grain semi-spitzer, out of my M48 this load runs right at 2700 fps, and from what I have seen it hits like a Mack truck downrange.

Mauser Madness · 02-17-2010, 08:15 AM

thaddy 1978 i would not use the 220 grain bullets in a 8x57 rifle the 220 where made for the 8mm Remington Magnum i have tried them and the 8x57 just does not have enough case capacity to drive that heavy of a bullet at a high enough velocity for good expansion and even if you used a (safe) maximum powder charge your shots would be limited to 150 yards at Best it seems that the 175-200 grain bullets work the best last week i bought an original (not Russian capture) K98k and i also bought some Serria 200 grain HPBT now it just waiting for good enough weather to get out and shoot and to your question on not finding 8mm brass go to Midway USA they have the cheapest deal on it i bought a bag of 100 Remington brass works great or just buy Remington 8mm Mauser loaded ammunition i can get it at my local gun shop for $21 a box

05-17-2009, 02:29 PM	#21
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	So far, I have shot 8mm Mauser handloads only from my Yugo M48 (not yet shot the M43 Spanish and M1903 Turk with handloads). The M48 has a preference of a somewhat heavier bullet. The Hornady 150 grain SP Spitzer didn't shoot as tight as I wanted. The Hornady 170 grain .323 Roundnose SP over 52 grains of H4831 was better, at least equalling the Yugo 70's production surplus ammo. So this will be my datum point for further testing. This load is the starting load listed in Hodgdon's data, so I have some room for testing. Recoil was moderate. It would do nicely for our local deer hunting. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

05-17-2009, 03:05 PM	#22
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,878	I've heard many people say their Mausers prefer the heavier bullets. Being an 8mm newbie, I just started with 200 grainers. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

05-18-2009, 06:47 AM	#23
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	The military 8mm Mauser loads are generally either the original 196 grain (as the Germans used it) or a 154 grain bullet (Turk and some newer East European stuff). The Romanian 8mm being sold now is the 154 grain load, and guys on Gunboards ammo forum report it being basically 'blasting ammo', not well suited for accuracy. But then that is why we handload! I'd love to find some 200 grain .323 bullets, but haven't found them locally. I did find a 50-piece box of 220 grain SP, but haven't tried them yet. Those things are HUGE when you are accustomed to 150 grainers! __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

06-05-2009, 08:51 AM	#25
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	The fellers over on the Gunboards Ammo forum say their experience bears out my finding that Mauser Short Rifles (24" barrel or so) generally prefer the heavier bullets while the long toms seem to prefer the lighter bullets. My Turk M1903 (29" barrel) shoots best with the Turk 154 grain loads, among the surplus I have tried. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

06-05-2009, 09:42 AM	#26
roverboy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moss,Tn. Posts: 1,692	If I ever get dies I'm gonna go with maybe 170 gr. I've not had good luck finding dies yet. Anybody know where to find good dies? __________________ "You gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie? Outlaw Josie Wales

06-04-2009, 10:13 PM	#24
devilfrog Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tampa Bay area, FL Posts: 56	I acquired 200 Sierra 200 GR MatchKings from a friend who didn't want them. I of course agreed to take them off his hand for my German K98. Now I just need to figure out what to load them with, hopefully using Varget or IMR4895.

06-05-2009, 01:39 PM	#27
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	Got mine from my local Sportsman's Warehouse store - they have a very good selection of RCBS dies. These don't come with shell holders, but the 8mm Mauser uses the same as the .308Win and .45 ACP. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

06-05-2009, 03:04 PM	#28
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,535	Midway, Grafs, Natchez, Midsouth shooters supply, Wideners, etc, etc, They all can't be out of the dies at the sametime.

06-07-2009, 06:07 PM	#30
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,878	My latest batch of 8mm was to use up the rest of my H4350. I used 200 grain Sierra Hot-Cor HCHP's and fifty grains of H4350. Now it will be back to H4895. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

06-08-2009, 07:37 AM	#31
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	I just loaded twenty 8mm Mauser using the Sierra 175 grain Spitzer over Alliant RL15 powder - my first trying this powder for the Mauser. The big grains do NOT meter well in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure, so this was my first time really getting down and trickling grain by grain! Should be my most consistent loads yet - just hope the extra care pays off. __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

06-08-2009, 10:33 AM	#32
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,878	Of course this means a range report will be required. And every time I hear about a bad metering powder I thank myself for getting my PACT digital scale/high speed dispenser. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

06-08-2009, 01:44 PM	#33
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,076	Yep, I have been eyeing a nice electronic scale/dispenser at SW..... But it's hard to justify the cost. Just bought another box of the 175 grain Spitzers. Heck, the way things are going, I'll be 'plinking' with my Mauser handloads - it's cheaper than .22 rimfire! __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield

06-08-2009, 02:01 PM	#34
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,878	I just found 100 196 grain soft points for 20 bucks. Was that good? P.S. I couldn't really afford it either, but it sure beats hand weighing stick and flake powders! __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

02-16-2010, 10:05 AM	#37
Mauser Madness Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7	Handloads for 8mm mauser (7,92x57mm) a good hand load that i have found is the following 1. Remington case (brass) 2. Speer hot-core 200 grain spitzer 3.CCI 200 large rifle primers 4. IMR 4064 5. Powder charge 44.0 grains 6. Seat bullet to a deapth of 3.200 inches this seams to be a good combination in my rifle i use a Yugoslavian M24/47 this load out of my rifle prints a 1 -1 3/4 group of the bench at 100 yards try it for yourself all rifles will shoot differently good luck

02-16-2010, 11:41 PM	#39
Midas Chief Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 3,816 Blog Entries: 6	My favorite load for the 8x57 is 48.0 grs of IMR 4064 under a Speer 170 grain semi-spitzer, out of my M48 this load runs right at 2700 fps, and from what I have seen it hits like a Mack truck downrange. __________________ NRA Life Member 10mm Auto-The ultimate trail gun

02-17-2010, 08:15 AM	#40
Mauser Madness Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7	thaddy 1978 i would not use the 220 grain bullets in a 8x57 rifle the 220 where made for the 8mm Remington Magnum i have tried them and the 8x57 just does not have enough case capacity to drive that heavy of a bullet at a high enough velocity for good expansion and even if you used a (safe) maximum powder charge your shots would be limited to 150 yards at Best it seems that the 175-200 grain bullets work the best last week i bought an original (not Russian capture) K98k and i also bought some Serria 200 grain HPBT now it just waiting for good enough weather to get out and shoot and to your question on not finding 8mm brass go to Midway USA they have the cheapest deal on it i bought a bag of 100 Remington brass works great or just buy Remington 8mm Mauser loaded ammunition i can get it at my local gun shop for $21 a box