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Old May 5, 2013, 09:14 PM   #1
steveNChunter
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8mm Mauser 150gr loads

I've got an old sporterized K98 8mm Mauser that I want to do some deer/black bear hunting with this fall, and I'm interested in working up a 150 gr load for it. I'll most likely use a Hornady interlock or maybe a Sierra Pro hunter.

My Mauser has the original ~23" military tapered barrel with what I've read is a 1:9.45" twist. I have heard some say the 150's won't be accurate in this rifle, some say they will. I guess I'll have to see for myself. I'll go heavier if I don't get good results.

Does anyone have experience shooting 150 grainers in a K98 and if so what load worked the best for you?
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Old May 5, 2013, 10:25 PM   #2
49willys
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I had a 03/38 turk mauser that really liked 150`s.not sure of the twist as I never looked it up.It liked150 gr.Hornady and Sierra`s with49.0 grs of IMR4064.I forgot to write down the speed,but I think is was right at 2700 or 2800.
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Old May 5, 2013, 10:42 PM   #3
LE-28
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I have a 1943 Turk Mauser that just absolutely loves 150gr Hornady Interlocks.
I used it for dear hunting with the 150gr Hornady Interlock bullets at close to maximum load of IMR 4895 but it did so much damage to the dear that I had to quit using the load.
As far as accuracy goes, its as accurate as hell with the 150gr Hornady bullets.

I had the same concerns as you about shooting a light for caliber bullet when I bought this rifle as all ammo I could buy was 196gr or larger, and 150gr seemed to be the lightest bullet available for it.

My concerns were quickly dismissed.
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Old May 5, 2013, 11:20 PM   #4
kilimanjaro
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I've used a lot of Sierra 150 grain, it's a bit cheaper than the 180 grain stuff. It's plenty accurate, not an issue. For elk or bear, I'd want the 180's. I use 4064, 4895, and H335, somewhat interchangeably, due to the uncertain supplies.
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Old May 6, 2013, 04:36 AM   #5
steveNChunter
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IMR 4064 and 4895 seem to be the powders of choice for most of the 150 gr data I've found.

If I'm not mistaken, the Turk Mausers and the K98's share the same twist rate, right?
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Old May 6, 2013, 06:14 AM   #6
mehavey
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While trusty 4895 & 4064 will always, you'll find that...

VN550
RL-17
Ramshot Hunter & BigGame
H414
W760

...give you the most VEL for least PSI in that big case
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Old May 6, 2013, 06:36 AM   #7
TimSr
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Quote:
While trusty 4895 & 4064 will always, you'll find that...

VN550
RL-17
Ramshot Hunter & BigGame
H414
W760

...give you the most VEL for least PSI in that big case


When I coudn't find IMR4350 I bought some RE17 because its "almost the same". Only problem is I can't find load data for it in many calbers, and not crazy about "just substituting IMR4350 data for it". Have you seen anything for RE17 in 8mm Mauser?. I have one that the rifling is less than great, and all I could find was 170gr bullets which aren't very accurrate, and I'd like to try some 150s as well.
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Old May 6, 2013, 06:42 AM   #8
firewrench044
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8MM Mauser
150gr Sierra Pro Hunter
50.5gr IMR 4895
CCI BR2 primer
Rem Case
Coal 3.050

is in the middle of a sweet spot
all my 8MM mausers ( 6 ) love this load
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Old May 6, 2013, 11:32 AM   #9
mehavey
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Quote:
Have you seen anything for RE17 in 8mm Mauser?
Casting around, I don't see a big database of users, but here is where QuickLoad comes into its own,

When I get home I'll run a mid-pressure (50ksi-strong Mauser) IMR4895 load for both 150 & 170SPs, and then match that velocity(s) against the above powders/loads (and their pressures) for comparision.

Last edited by mehavey; May 6, 2013 at 11:39 AM.
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Old May 6, 2013, 11:40 AM   #10
schmellba99
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No experience, but I have a pretty decent amount of 8mm brass I have no use for. Most of it is old military (some from the 30's). Open to trades or flat out sale if anybody is interested.
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Old May 6, 2013, 12:54 PM   #11
steveNChunter
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I have some Ramshot Hunter and some Win 760 on hand... may give those a try first. Ive heard the Ramshot TAC works well too
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Old May 6, 2013, 05:57 PM   #12
mehavey
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As promised earlier, a QL run at 50ksi

This list contain all the powders listed in Hornady's 8th edition for the 150gr SP in 8mm x 57 Mauser(CIP ratings)...
plus a few others (like RL-17). Note that I've yellow highlighted a few for low burn completion.

NOTE ALSO: the caveat in RED



I was genuinely surprised at how well IMR3031 did....
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Old May 6, 2013, 07:37 PM   #13
steveNChunter
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thanks for the info mehavey, I agree about IMR 3031. May have to try a pound of it and see how accurate it is in my gun.
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Old May 6, 2013, 07:49 PM   #14
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If you don't like your results with the 150s, try Sierra 175s next. My Persian mauser shoots them really well when loaded with 4064.
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Old May 6, 2013, 10:21 PM   #15
Mausermolt
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Varget Varget Varget Varget. all of my milsurps love it with almost any grain of bullet: 303, 8mm, 6mm(not milsurp) 7.7 jap. but i always have a bit of 4895 or 4064 on hand they all like also
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Old May 7, 2013, 08:41 AM   #16
Heavy Metal 1
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My Turks love 150gr. My K98 likes the heavier stuff better. Both seems to like IMR 4064.
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Old May 7, 2013, 09:23 AM   #17
Clark
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In 1905 the Germans had the 7.92×57mm Mauser that would push a 150 gr bullet at 2900 fps.

The Americans reacted in 1906 with the 30-06 named after the year.

108 years later, the Americans have still not made a load book load for 8mm that keeps up with the Germans.

But someday we are going to figure it out.
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Old May 7, 2013, 09:33 AM   #18
chiefr
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I have a different view of 8mm Mauser and 150gr bullets when it comes to Germany designed or German copied milsurp 98 Mausers.
Practically mil issued Mausers were designed to fire bullets of around 200gr. The 196gr spitzer was the standard ammo.

Been reloading 8mm for many years and owned, fired. & traded away many milsurps in 8mm. I too tried many 150gr bullets and never reached the accuracy I could get with the heavier bullets. Going to a heavier bullet always tightened my groups and in some cases significantly.

If you are fortunate enough to have a rifle that shoots well with such light fodder, I would hang on to it.
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