8mm mauser questions

[Random 8]

I will be going forward with my build over the winter, and with the current status of components, I'd like to stock some bullets while I can.

Which bullets have folks had the best luck with on deer sized game? I'm not looking to shoot bugholes, just a good, pass-through deer hammer for woods ranges.

Brass: Little 8x57JS in stock. I have a buttload of 30-06. Is converting '06 as easy as running through an 8mm die and trimming to length?

 

[rule303]

I've had good luck with the Hornady 150 gr sp over Varget. As far as forming cases, you can just run 30-06 through your sizing die and trim, but you might need to turn the necks depending on how tight your chamber is. I would load a dummy and try to chamber it before loading a bunch.

 

[DRM7997]

You can convert 30-06 brass to 8mm mauser. I do using an rcbs 8mm trim die meant specifically for this. I think I got it through midway. I don't shoot or reload 8mm so I can't help you their. I convert to 8mm then anneal and resize it to 9.3x57.

 

[EMC45]

Yes you can run the 30-06 brass into the 8MM die and make 8MM brass. I use a small tubing cutter to trim the long necks then final trim on my RCBS case trimmer. I haven't had to thin the necks on any of my converted brass and they shoot just fine.

My 150 jacketed bullet load consisted of ollllddd paper sack 3031 and Herters 150gr. spitzer bullets. They were robust and accurate. All I ever shot was paper @50 yards (1 inch off a bag) though, but I'm positive they would whack a whitetail if need be. This was from a Yugo capture K98 with a less than ideal bore.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

FWIW Grafs has a number of 8mm bullets in stock.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/924?

 

[DocRock]

The Hornady RNSP 170 grs is extremely effective on deer, especially at 200 yards and less. Not sure they still make them but the 170 grs SST should be just as good and offer longer reach. For longer ranges and elk, I like the Hornady 195 grs SP. I really liked the S&B 196 grs SPCE loaded ammo too.

 

[troy fairweather]

Hard to beat the speer bullets, ppu bullets were available cheap but don't know at the moment, also sometimes it's hard to beat ppu ammo it's lower power stuff. Tho sometimes it's cheaper then what you can load, and with most mausers it actually hits poa at 100 yards.

Making 8x57 is easy from 06, but if your buying new brass some 8mm ppu brass maybe close in price to new 06. Try to find a fl 8x57 die without the vent hole if possible, I've had a few does and they would scratch the case that will become the neck and will give you trouble after a few firings. Take out the decaping pin unless you trim the 06 first.

 

[troy fairweather]

Oh what's your build anyway.

 

[Bfh_auto]

The only bullet I've seen on deer beside factory ammo was a 150 Sierra pro hunter with a stout charge of IMR 4064.
It punched through both shoulders on a Michigan whitetail.
Anneal your brass if you start forming from different cartridges. Also watch for too thick case necks. If it's a mil-spec chamber it's probably a non-issue.
196 grain loads loaded to cip standards are brutal.

 

[Random 8]

Oh what's your build anyway.

have a Turkish m38 barreled action that I'm going to make into a sporter

 

[lordpaxman]

Brass: Little 8x57JS in stock. I have a buttload of 30-06. Is converting '06 as easy as running through an 8mm die and trimming to length?

Yes! I was helping a friend who had a Lebel 8mm, he depleted his surplus berdan primed and wanted to reload. He loads 150 and 170 Speer pro hunter, they seem to work just fine.
His biggest problem now is keep the brass straight since he’s got a Springfield and M1 as well. I told him to put a red sharpie cross on the head, it’ll help, but if anyone has suggestions? Good luck.