8mm Mauser twist rates/casting

[Dr.Zubrato]

Would like to get your guys experiences with k98's regarding twist rate and projectile weight.

I see a lot of surplus at 150-154gr weight, but a lot of folks see better results at 175 grains and up.

A little light reading came up with the k98k rifles of ww2 were designed for a 197gr projectile at ~ 2500fps

Any experience shooting 175-215 grain projectiles?

 

[Maj Dad]

The WW2 German load was a 198gr bullet (sS, for heavy pointed bullet) at 2500 fps. Before that the bullet was ~152 gr. The change made the round effective at longer ranges, especially in the MG34, MG42 and other machine guns. Don't recall the twist, but it's never been an issue to my knowledge, especially in M98 military rifles with milspec barrels. As far as cast bullets, use the heaviest one you can get - I think there is a Lee 200 gr that works well.

My most accurate load to date in my VZ-24 (cut down & glass-bedded military 2x4-looking stock) has been a Sierra 175 spitzer and a hot load of 2520. Shot off sandbags, I got an honest 1" group, witnessed and repeated. So, they are definitely capable of accuracy. I haven't loaded heavier bullets yet, but I have a box of 200 gr match (don't remember brand) and a box of 220 gr Sierra SPBT for fun. The 8x57 really doesn't have the oom-pah to push the 220s fast enough to expand well (designed for the 8mm Rem Mag), but a big, long bullet like that would poke a hole in a big animal from a distance. Not debating using that bullet, just noting that you can shoot it from your 8x57. Whatever you decide, work up your loads using all the powders you can find. My 1" load was one of about 10 different from one session, using 2 bullets and 3 or 4 different powders.

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

Excellent, thank you! Good shooting too!

My decision was between a .324" 175gr boolit and a .329" 205 gr so I decided to go with the .324, hoping it comes out to a little over 180gr gas checked, seeing as sizing down a worst case scenario .330 boolit to .324 would put quite a hurt on my cheapie single stage.

I'll be working up 5744 and blue dot for some loads once I get everything together.

Still need a universal case expander, or a lyman M die. Quickly running out of cash though
If anyone has a M die for 323, or lee universal expander theyd donate to the cause I'd be eternally grateful.
Recent college graduate still looking for work