Author Topic: Looking for Info on 8MM JDJ (Read 768 times)

7MM_STW · « **on:** February 22, 2006, 04:40:12 AM »

Anyone out there ever used the 8MM JDJ round? I have a 375 JDJ but I am looking into a true wildcat and would think a 8MM JDJ in a 23 carbine contender would be a great deer gun for the heavy wooded area of wisconsin I hunt. I was looking to use the 180 Ballistic Tips for deer and if bear hunting the 200 Grain partitions. Any idea/thoughts on this setup would be appricated. Also any link to a place with 8MM JDJ reloading information would help also. The web people at SSK havn't been very forth coming with reloading information when I asked them about the 8MM JDJ and I havn't had much luck finding anyone else that has used one. I know the 8MM is not a wildly popular round but somebody out there must know something. Thanks in advance.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2006, 05:12:21 AM »

SSK will sell you their load sheet for any one of the JDJ rounds for one dollar which mostly just covers the cost of sending it to you. They get too many requests for load data from folks who've bought cheaper imitations of their rounds and kinda wanna know you really are serious about getting one to hand it out. If you buy from them you can get data for any other also at that time. When you buy a data sheet is always included with your barrel or die set.

Also if you are an HHI member you can get free data sheets from them. But they really aren't in the business of handing out free reloading data sheets just for the asking. Just the way they do business. They will be happy to send you and order sheet and brochure I'm sure and it gives expected performance but not the loading data on most if not all JDJ rounds. Also a call will answer that question for you. If they feel you are serious they might provide the datasheet to you free after a phone call also but not just from a visit to the website.

7MM_STW · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2006, 09:00:33 AM »

Kind of catch-22 isn't it? javascript:emoticon(':-D')

I am already into SSK for 68.00 for a 375 JDJ die but I am unwilling to comit to a 8MM JDJ barrel unless I get moren information on what the round will do. But they don't want to send me information unless I purchase one. I guess that is why I am asking here. Seems to be a lot of folks here with knowledge about reloading and I wanted to see if anyone has worked with the 8MM JDJ.

jrkrk · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2006, 11:39:56 AM »

Hey 7mmSTW how is that 375 JDJ as far as accuracy and performance. I just bought a 375 H&H band 375 JDJ is next. :grin:

7MM_STW · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:50:06 AM »

I got the 375 JDJ barrel off e-bay this fall. It came with a luepold 2.5 scope with SSK mounts. I started with hornday 220 grain bullets for case forming witch was not really necessary but I just wanted to tray it a few times. For hunting last fall I put 260 grain Nolser Accubonds over I believe 40 grains of H322. It shoots about 1.5 inch groups at a 100 yards, which could be more a factor of the scope that the load. 2.5 power with Heavy duplex causes the scope to cover the bulls eye fairly well at a 100 yards. I did use it to get the best deer yet our of our camp this fall. A 20 inch spread 8 pointer, first shot was in the front shoulder, but a little to far forward to blow him off his feet. I found out how fast I could reload to get a second shot in the boiler room just back of the heart. He made it about 30 yards after the shot and oh what a blood trail. I am used to shooting fast light bullets out of my 25-06 and some times the blood trail is a little light, you could have followed this one in the dark without a light. Needless to say I was happy with the gun, and the round I was shooting. But as most of the other on these boards I need a new project and that is why I am looking at the 8MM JDJ, something a little lighter but still heavy on knock down power. Here is a picture of Him. http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1183

jrkrk · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:52:19 AM »

Nice pic and reply there 7mm sounds good I will be buying one shortly. How is the recoil out of the gun? I am shooting a 270gr bullet at 2700 fps out of my 375H&H and recoil is really not bad at all. I will also end up buying the 375jdj dies from ssk. Have you tried loading any yourself yet and have you tried forming the jdj brass out of the 444 marlin cases. Thanx. :grin:

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:01:54 PM »

What information are you seeking? Do you want to hold a hard copy of the loading data in your hand up front or are you just wanting to know what the specs are for the round, ie, what bullet weight at what velocity?

I'm sure a call to SSK will get you the latter and for a buck they should be willing to part with a hard copy of the load data or have in the past. That's what JD told me once when we talked by phone about it.

There are too many shade tree smiths turning out conterfite JDJ chambers which may or may not be the same as the real JDJ chambers. He doesn't want the liability of someone using his data in barrels other than those his company makes. He has no way of knowing how safe it might be in those bastardized chambers.

If your plans are to have SSK make the barrel not someone else as mentioned just call and explain your needs. I'm sure they will be willing to help.

swampthing · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:29:29 PM »

I would keep what you've got and just reload with some hardcast lead bullets in a LBT design, thats just me though.
I also wouldn't over look the .338 JDJ as well as the .358 JDJ . I had 20" .309 JDJ, it was very accurate. With the .338 and .358 there are a lot more bullets available to you than in 8mm. According to the '05 Hornady manual the .338JDJ#2 will throw 200g'ers at 2350fps, 225's@2200, and 250's @2100fps. These velocities were from a 14" contender. I don't have much info on the .358 but I understand it is appraoching .358win power levels.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:53:38 PM »

My 14" .358 JDJ was an SSK rechamber of a TC factory .35 Remington barrel. I had no trouble getting 2300 fps with 225 grain Nosler bullets and was a couple grains under the SSK supplied data for it in getting there. BUT because I reached their max velocity listed I stopped there.

Most folks seem to be able to get 2250-2350 fps from 225s in theirs.

contender hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2006, 01:03:45 PM »

I think its hard to beat the 375 JDJ , I JUST LOVE IT WITH hornadays 220 gr for deer , really puts them down !! Mine is in a 12 1/2 JDJ bbl from my younger days when my eyes worked with those long eye-relief scopes , now I have moved into the carbines and have always thought it would be nice to have the 375 JDJ in a 23 '' carbine , its a great elk round with the hornaday 270 gr also.And very easy to form brass from the 444 marlin , just run them thru the 375 JDJ full length die and you have it , no fire-forming !!! very accurate also , can't say enough good about it , I would recomend a mag-na port job on it and JD will have this done for you.

contender hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2006, 01:04:54 PM »

I think its hard to beat the 375 JDJ , I JUST LOVE IT WITH hornadays 220 gr for deer , really puts them down !! Mine is in a 12 1/2 JDJ bbl from my younger days when my eyes worked with those long eye-relief scopes , now I have moved into the carbines and have always thought it would be nice to have the 375 JDJ in a 23 '' carbine , its a great elk round with the hornaday 270 gr also.And very easy to form brass from the 444 marlin , just run them thru the 375 JDJ full length die and you have it , no fire-forming !!! very accurate also , can't say enough good about it , I would recomend a mag-na port job on it and JD will have this done for you.

spinafish · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:48:05 PM »

I had been looking into getting a .338 Jdj on of these days. But, after research I bellieve I would prefer the 8mm. There are lots of bullets out there designed for the 8 mm Mauser that should work great at the 8mm JDJ speeds..also with the .325 WSM (actually an 8mm) there seems to be all manner of bullet types also. I was thinking of a 16" that could be used as both a carbine and a pistol.