Loads for the 8mm Mauser

[Maryland Hunter]

I'm looking to soon begin load development for my Yugo Mauser. I still have some factory rounds to burn through to get to the brass, but I was wondering what loads some others had found to be effective in their's. I have some 150gr spitzers to try, and I think I'm going to get some 170gr round nose, just because they look to have the bad-ass factor.

My Yugo is, of course, .323, so there are quite a few choices out there, for both bullets and powder. I'm going to go with Varget and IMR 4895 to start. Any other options that I should consider?

MH

 

[Bolts Rock]

I'm looking to soon begin load development for my Yugo Mauser. I still have some factory rounds to burn through to get to the brass, but I was wondering what loads some others had found to be effective in their's. I have some 150gr spitzers to try, and I think I'm going to get some 170gr round nose, just because they look to have the bad-ass factor.

My Yugo is, of course, .323, so there are quite a few choices out there, for both bullets and powder. I'm going to go with Varget and IMR 4895 to start. Any other options that I should consider?

MH

Most issue ammo was the 196gr schweres Spitzgeschoss so you'd do best with a 195 to 200 grain bullet. You can load the S bore (.323") to full potential. I used to use 4064, start in the middle of the range and work up. The best brass 20 years ago was Igman Konjic (IK headstamp) but I don't know if you can still get it, oddly enough it was Yugo made brass. Prvi Partisan may make it now.

Hornady makes a 195gr bullet and you can find Prvi 196gr bullets if you look online hard enough.

 

[j8064]

While I have many rifles that need 8x57 rounds I've found it to still be more economical to shoot surplus ammo vs. reloading full power rounds. I load light rounds with cast boolits for a couple of my older rifles, but that's another Oprah.

With that said, my reloads using IMR3031 behind 185gr .323's shoot pretty darn close to any of the surplus ammo I've fired.

 

[BlackBart]

If one is going to reload I STRONGLY suggest he buy a Sierra, Speer or Hornady manual. They aren't that expensive at all.

 

[Maryland Hunter]

Thanks for the replies and info.

Most issue ammo was the 196gr schweres Spitzgeschoss so you'd do best with a 195 to 200 grain bullet. You can load the S bore (.323") to full potential. I used to use 4064, start in the middle of the range and work up. The best brass 20 years ago was Igman Konjic (IK headstamp) but I don't know if you can still get it, oddly enough it was Yugo made brass. Prvi Partisan may make it now.

Hornady makes a 195gr bullet and you can find Prvi 196gr bullets if you look online hard enough.

The factory ammo have happens to be Prvi, and it was actually the same to buy the ammo w/reloadable brass, then to buy the brass alone. I've heard great things about the Prvi ammo, and I've shot it in my 7.5 Swiss, but I haven't had a chance to get out the 8 yet. I have some Prvi brass for the 7.62X54R, and it seems to be of good quality.

While I have many rifles that need 8x57 rounds I've found it to still be more economical to shoot surplus ammo vs. reloading full power rounds. I load light rounds with cast boolits for a couple of my older rifles, but that's another Oprah.

With that said, my reloads using IMR3031 behind 185gr .323's shoot pretty darn close to any of the surplus ammo I've fired.

Thanks for the info. I've never tried the 3031.

If one is going to reload I STRONGLY suggest he buy a Sierra, Speer or Hornady manual. They aren't that expensive at all.

Excellent advice. I always tell others to buy at least two, as they have some of the same info on reloading, but explained in different ways. Obviously, different powders and loads to compare to as well.

I have the Sierra and Hornady, as well as others, but I've never picked up the Speer for some reason.

MH

 

[8milimeter]

I never had much luck with the 170's in 8x57
The Sierra 175 is a great bullet. 48.0g IMR4064 is my pet load.
I have also used the remington 185 with 47.1g IMR4064 with good results.
The Nosler 180 BT is a great bullet, just to expensive.

 

[boule]

My Yugo is, of course, .323, so there are quite a few choices out there, for both bullets and powder. I'm going to go with Varget and IMR 4895 to start. Any other options that I should consider?

Other people already said it - 4064 is a good powder and imho Ramshot big game as well.

For easy shooting and convenience, I use 125gr bullets (available from grafs) loaded with 56gr Ramshot big game, target and match round is a 198gr Prvi bullet with 48,5gr of Ramshot big game.
Hunting is going to be done with an 180gr Nosler ballistic tip over 44gr IMR 4064.

 

[John from MD]

The k98 carbines have a fairly fast twist as they were designed for a long, 196gn bullet. You can get decent accuracy out of 170gn bullets if you slow them down. A good bullet that shoots well with 4895 is the Remington 185 PSP. This bullet is about the cheapest jacketed bullet that will shoot well in the 8x57.

If you want to try lead bullets, a Lee 175gn or Saeco 190gn bullet in front of 16gns of 2400 will give you sub MOA accuracy from the bench if you have good rifling in your Mauser.

Regards,

John