milsurp reloading: 303 and 8mm Mauser

[bender]

Haven't ever shot these calibers, or reloaded for them either. I ordered die sets (Lee 3-die Pacesetter sets) from Midway for each caliber. Dies were only $18.99. Ordered 50 brass cases of each caliber from Midway also.

According to my reloading books, both calibers use many of the same powders I already have for my other rifles, so no new powders needed.

My questions are related to what bullets are good for these rifles (enfield 303 and mauser 98k)? I bought a box of 150gr hornady .303 bullets, and a box of 150gr 8mm mauser bullets. I think I read somewhere that the military bullet weight for enfields was 174gr?

Anything I should watch out for with these old guns? I plan to load "mid-range" loads, and probably only shoot each gun a few hundred times a year. What powders do you all consider the better powders for these rifles? I have IMR 4350, IMR 4198, H335, VV 135 and some others.

 

[armoredman]

My No 4MK1* is fond of the Hornady 174gr FMJ/BT bullets, usually in front of 32gr of H4895. Slugging the bore might be a good idea, as wartime production rifles may have some variance. Also, neck size the brass, for longer life, especially if you have but one 303 rifle to use. The Enfield action is "springy", with slightly generous chamber sizes, and notorious for quickly killing brass. I have no troubles yet, but time will tell - watch for the bright ring of brass stretching, and incipient case head separation.
I have no experiance in 8mm, sorry.

 

[Clark]

The 8mm is 35kpsi in American SAAMI and 56k+psi in European CIP.

So some American load books can be loading the 8mm in 30-30 power, while European load books may load in 30-06 power.

 

[Lupara]

As for the K 98k:
No need to try to seat the bullets to the lands. The thrat is simply too long. You'll end up somewhere between 3.100" and 3.150". Oftentimes, a shorter COL gives you better accuracy.

Usually you'll find two soft spots on your load ladder: one at the lower and one at the upper end. A milder load is certainly conducive to your joy of shooting and to the life span of your rifle & brass.

I don't assume you're shooting long range with your Mauser (open sights are cr**). So it is a good advice to shoot flat base bullets up to 300 yds or so (I think that's what you are planning to do). Boat tails give better accuracy on long distances, flat base bulles are better on the short ones, escecially when the barrel shows wear & tear.

The powders you listed aren't bad. Varget is somewhat better, escpecially if primed by CCI BR2s. Top of the line are N 140/N150 or Norma 201/202. But these powders are more expensive than our usual home brands.

 

[bender]

Also, neck size the brass, for longer life, especially if you have but one 303 rifle to use.

yes, just one 303 rifle. I believe I have read to neck size only, to prolong case life. Thanks.

So some American load books can be loading the 8mm in 30-30 power, while European load books may load in 30-06 power.

I have read this also. I believe that the american books are very conservative since they are afraid some people might have 8mm mausers from the 1890s. I'll check around on "real" loading info for Mauser 98k's from the 1930s.

 

[BsChoy]

My mauser shot 44.0 grains of IMR 4064 great with 185 grain remmy corloks. I recently changed to 150 hornady interlocks due to the want to great flatter trajectory and more versatile load. Going to try varget and R15 as I am trying to pare down my powder stores.

 

[Steve in PA]

Still working on a load for my Enfield, but this is my load for my K98k.

Hornady 150gr SP and 48.0gr IMR4895. The picture below is of 2 5-shot groups fired at 100yds from a rest. Both the rifle and the load are keepers

 

[bender]

on the 8mm Mauser, looks like my speer (#12) and my Hornady (#6) manuals use the higher Euro loadings.

 

[bender]

earlier in this thread, I said I thought I had bought 150gr bullets for the 303, but it turns out I bought 174gr bullets.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Hodgdon's online data (for Hodgdon brand powders, not win or imr) loads 8x57js to higher pressures.

I don't know about Nosler reloading data, but their custom ammunition for 8x57js is higher velocity than typical American fare (rem, fed, etc.), as is Hornady ammunition. S&B and Norma (both european) are high velocity also. Haven't tried reloading it yet, or the Nosler custom ammo, but the Hornady ammo (195 gr sp @ 2500 fps) shoots really well for me.

Good to know about the Speer and Hornady load data.

Andy

 

[TooTaxed]

For your .303 (and 7.7 Jap), unsized .308 cast lead bullets work fine. I like Lyman #311291, 170-gr RNL, gas checked. Accurate...

Grafs is a good source for cases. Excellent prices, and free shipping...

The #4895 powder is an excellent choice.