8x57 185gr w/ RL15

[Jim B.]

I have just started loading for the 8x57 (picked up a nice M48 Mauser).  I am a big fan of bulk bullets for general shooting so I ordered a 100 of the Remington 185 gr CL bullets from Midway.  I had heard that RL15 was a decent powder for the 8x57 and was happy since I have an abundent supply.  When I went to my manuals I was surprised to find that no one really lists data for the 185 gr bullet!  Can someone point me to a manual/site with data for the 185 gr bullet  w/ RL 15 or would anyone be willing to share a pet load?  I am not looking for a hot load, just something reasonably accurate to get a feel for this rifle.  Jim B.

[Snowshoe]

Hornady has a load listed for their 195g bullet and 47.3g of Reloader-15 for a velosity of 2400 fps [ top load]. They have a top load of 50g for their 170g bullet, so that should give you some idea. I use IMR4064 for this cartridge, and have very good results.

[huntsman]

Evidently the 185 grain .323 bullet from Remington is a fairly new creation, because I haven't been able to find any reloading data on it either. I used starting loads for the 195 grain bullet and worked up just to be on the safe side. My data won't help you, however, since I wasn't using R-15. Stevespages.com (published by Graybeard forum member Ricardielli) at http://www.again.net/~steve/page8a.htm has data for R-15 for a 180 grain bullet (44.5 to 50.0 grains) and for a 195 grain bullet (41.2 to 47.3 grains). This should give you a good idea of where to start.