8mm Mauser Load?

[308sc]

Hi,

I'm looking to try to formulate a load that is very very close to the one the Germans used in WWII, please list the Powder/grains, and bullet weight.

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[BsChoy]

I think the Gremans used 154grain spitzers but I of course use the more common 150 grain hornady or speer. My 1944 K98k hits poa at 100 yd with 49.0 grains of H4895 loaded short at around 2.895 I think. I get 2700 FPS but it shoots so well and to POA I use it as my duplicate. i think the German load was around 2800 fps but i don't like picking at gnits when accuracy is good.

 

[Der Verge]

The Germans used a 196gr spitzer at about 2550.

Check this out..

http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15&b=8mm&s=190

 

[BsChoy]

I believe they did change the 196 into the 154 later in WW2 to gain flatter trajectory

 

[308sc]

thanks guys

 

[rr2241tx]

Actually, the Wehrmacht changed from the 154gr to the 198gr machinegun bullet as their standard loading during WWII. Anything in that general range at 2,800 fps will generally perform equally well. For soft point hunting loads, it is hard to beat CoreLokt 185s. They are usually a lot cheaper than anything else and duplicate the performance of the venerable 180gr 30-06.

 

[Steve in PA]

You may want to check out this forum, the K98k/MSA Forum; http://p198.ezboard.com/bk98kpage

When your done with the forum you can check out the MSA page and the K98k page for additional information.

 

[McCall911]

Good to know this, as an 8mm owner.

Some of the factory stuff I've seen is fairly anemic.

 

[Der Verge]

I will have to look up the headstamp for you, but one time I accidentally came across some of the Luftwaffe 8mm ammo. Is is all the same size, OAL, etc,etc, but loaded much, much hotter. It was made for the aircraft machine guns. It about tore my shoulder off. Printed 6" higher than standard ammo at 100 yards. After the second shot, I knew some thing was not quite right.

 

[PikeStaff]

I've had some real nice loads using Accurate 2460 with 125, 150, and 175 gr. bullets. 55.2 grs. of 2460, 125 gr. Hornady SP's, 2-1/2" groups (iron sights) @ 3200fps; 49.5 grs. 2460, 150 gr. Hornady SP, 2-1/2"+ groups @ 2840 fps; 47.7 grs. 2460, 175 gr. Sierra SP, 2"+ groups @ 2520fps.

These are all on 75* - 80* days. I've since mounted a scope to the rifle and groups are consistently down to around 1-1/2" to 2-1/2". Accurate 2520 works pretty well too - seems to have a hair less muzzle flash than the 2460.

All work right well on whitetails, too.

 

[ForneyRider]

American Factory loads for 8x57 Mauser have the reputation of being anemic.
Supposedly, some rifles for this cartridge are lightweight relics.

Not sure of German specs. But here is a good link:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=290949

We load 150gr-220gr bullets for a M98 style 8x57 Mauser with good success.

I see 196gr is common. It has been easier to find 150gr and 170gr .323 cal bullets in stock. 8x57 brass was hard to find earlier this year. I wanted the Norma, but ended up with Winchester.

I used H-Varget for the last bunch. Some batches have RL19. It's similar to .30-06 performance, with slightly shorter neck, less powder capacity and bigger caliber.

If my memory is correct, the Nosler data is lightweight for the 8x57, we shopped around for load data.

 

[280shooter]

8mm loads

Here are some loads that work for me,And They shoot great in my Rifle.
150 gr pointed soft point,53 gr of Imr-4320,my rifle will shot 1/2 min all day,
if u like heavier,I have also used
Sierra 175 gr,51 gr. of imr 4320
But my Rifles not Mil, its all custom now