Mauser Accuracy/Elk Hunting 200+Yds

KMyerK98 · August 19, 2009, 07:51 PM

I enjoyed the discussion here of the old Mausers so much that I decided to join! Here's my first post. I put my Mauser together from a Mitchell's Mauser's like new barreled action plus a Boyd's thumbhole stock and a Weaver pistol scope on scout style Mitchell's scope mount and custom trigger (very touchy).

Shoots really nice groups of about 1.5" to 100 yards. All stacked up in a straight line. I was told that indicated barrel heating up so I'll have to try again with a few minutes between rounds to see if I can better that. I was shooting my own reloads using commercial once fired brass, 42 gr of 4895 and the Nosler 180 gr Ballistic Tip. I've also ran a few hundred rounds of surplus through it and had lots of fun popping 4x16" logs out of a watery ditch. They were jumping around 15-20 feet out of the water - no joke!

I am interested in loading up some Barnes Triple X or Nosler Partition 200gr for possible elk hunting to 300 yards.

A TIP FOR THE BALLISTICS COMPARING CROWD
The Mauser loaded with 200 or 220gr boat tails pushed to around 2400-2600fps should drop an elk easy up to 350+ yards (I mean the bullet will retain over 1500 ft lbs of energy way out there to 400 yards). The heavier bullets get up into the .420 plus BC range (the 220 Sierra BC=.524!) so they retain their velocity/energy pretty well. If you zero at 250 yards your over about 4" at 150yds and only off by 12-14 inches at 350yds. Even the 180 grain bullet can get out to 350 yards with 1500+ ft lbs of energy for elk if you start it off at 2700fps. I have no doubts that the Mauser with a good 220 bullet gr load will take anything in North America. And I've heard stories of even elephant taken with 8mm Mauser 98's - those must have been some punchy folks to try that!! HAAAA.

I would appreciate if anyone out there has loaded up the 200gr Barnes X Bullet or the 200gr Nosler Partition to the 2500fps or higher level and would be willing to share either here or off forum about your experience with it. I looked on the barnes sight and they appear to be loading the X 200gr up to 2500+ with H380 (102% full!). Barnes also lists the 180gr X bullet (max load) at 2730fps.

I'll need to take some pictures of this fine sporterized version and get them on here later.

taylorce1 · August 19, 2009, 09:09 PM

I wouldn't be afraid to take an elk with an 8mm bullet, however I really don't think you will need a TSX or a Partition to do it. The speeds you listed being able to push these bullets out of your rifle, I really don't feel that you will get any better performance than a standard cup and core bullet. Now if you were pushing 8mm Rem Mag velocities I'd be all for the premium bullet as well.

My only 8mm is a rechambered 8mm-06 VZ-24 Mauser that I picked up as a basket case on Gunbroker. I've got it all put back together and it isn't shooting too badly. I've been using 175 grain Sierras, H4350, and CCI 200 primers in resized Remington brass. I know I wouldn't be afraid to take an elk with my load.

My best 5 shot group to date, but I'm still fine tuning my load.

30-30remchester · August 19, 2009, 09:37 PM

I have never shot an elk with an 8mm however I have shot alot of elk and have been around approximately 100 elk when killed so have some elk experence. You are on the right track using premium bullets. Elk are tough animals when not hit dead center. I am an absolute believer in heavy for caliber Nosler Partitions. If I could suggest anything that is to stay away from boattails bullets on heavy game. The 8mm loaded heavy with premium bullets should be an excellent 300 yard elk rifle.

Buzzcook · August 20, 2009, 12:01 AM

Lots of game taken with the 8mm Mauser. Anything North American game animal, except for magic bears.
Depending on how accurate you can get the thing, 500yds won't be out of the question.

KMyerK98 · August 20, 2009, 07:47 AM

Thanks for the tips and here are some pictures of the Mauser I built. Details are in the first post. I used Arrow wood oil on the stock - finished myself. The wood oil is all I did except sanding with 220 then 400 paper.

KMyerK98 · August 21, 2009, 10:33 PM

Found some more loads from the Nosler site and also lots of good tips and more loads from a search (at dogpile.com) for European 8mm Mauser Loads". Here are some I found helpful;

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featu...lassic_062804/

Forum
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/han...pet-loads.html

Forum
http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...-8mm-ammo.html

Cheers!

August 19, 2009, 07:51 PM	#1
KMyerK98 Member Join Date: August 19, 2009 Posts: 28	Mauser Accuracy/Elk Hunting 200+Yds I enjoyed the discussion here of the old Mausers so much that I decided to join! Here's my first post. I put my Mauser together from a Mitchell's Mauser's like new barreled action plus a Boyd's thumbhole stock and a Weaver pistol scope on scout style Mitchell's scope mount and custom trigger (very touchy). Shoots really nice groups of about 1.5" to 100 yards. All stacked up in a straight line. I was told that indicated barrel heating up so I'll have to try again with a few minutes between rounds to see if I can better that. I was shooting my own reloads using commercial once fired brass, 42 gr of 4895 and the Nosler 180 gr Ballistic Tip. I've also ran a few hundred rounds of surplus through it and had lots of fun popping 4x16" logs out of a watery ditch. They were jumping around 15-20 feet out of the water - no joke! I am interested in loading up some Barnes Triple X or Nosler Partition 200gr for possible elk hunting to 300 yards. A TIP FOR THE BALLISTICS COMPARING CROWD The Mauser loaded with 200 or 220gr boat tails pushed to around 2400-2600fps should drop an elk easy up to 350+ yards (I mean the bullet will retain over 1500 ft lbs of energy way out there to 400 yards). The heavier bullets get up into the .420 plus BC range (the 220 Sierra BC=.524!) so they retain their velocity/energy pretty well. If you zero at 250 yards your over about 4" at 150yds and only off by 12-14 inches at 350yds. Even the 180 grain bullet can get out to 350 yards with 1500+ ft lbs of energy for elk if you start it off at 2700fps. I have no doubts that the Mauser with a good 220 bullet gr load will take anything in North America. And I've heard stories of even elephant taken with 8mm Mauser 98's - those must have been some punchy folks to try that!! HAAAA. I would appreciate if anyone out there has loaded up the 200gr Barnes X Bullet or the 200gr Nosler Partition to the 2500fps or higher level and would be willing to share either here or off forum about your experience with it. I looked on the barnes sight and they appear to be loading the X 200gr up to 2500+ with H380 (102% full!). Barnes also lists the 180gr X bullet (max load) at 2730fps. I'll need to take some pictures of this fine sporterized version and get them on here later.

August 21, 2009, 10:33 PM	#6
KMyerK98 Member Join Date: August 19, 2009 Posts: 28	Mauser 8X57 JS Loads Found some more loads from the Nosler site and also lots of good tips and more loads from a search (at dogpile.com) for European 8mm Mauser Loads". Here are some I found helpful; http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featu...lassic_062804/ Forum http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/han...pet-loads.html Forum http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...-8mm-ammo.html Cheers!

August 19, 2009, 09:37 PM	#3
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	I have never shot an elk with an 8mm however I have shot alot of elk and have been around approximately 100 elk when killed so have some elk experence. You are on the right track using premium bullets. Elk are tough animals when not hit dead center. I am an absolute believer in heavy for caliber Nosler Partitions. If I could suggest anything that is to stay away from boattails bullets on heavy game. The 8mm loaded heavy with premium bullets should be an excellent 300 yard elk rifle.

August 20, 2009, 12:01 AM	#4
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Lots of game taken with the 8mm Mauser. Anything North American game animal, except for magic bears. Depending on how accurate you can get the thing, 500yds won't be out of the question.