remington 8mm 185gr. for elk

[Hank McMauser]

I would like to know your opinions on using remington's 185 gr. cor-lokt 8mm bullit in my sporterized turk mauserI would like to use it for elk this fall,any suggestions? I was thinking of trying 4064 powder with it,I have used 4895 before but it was only a mild load 42.5 grs.

[huntsman]

I tested IMR 4064 with 185 gr corelokts in my M98 with 4x scope about two months ago. Used 38.0 to 46.0 gr in one-grain increments. Best 100 yd groups were 1.5" with 41.0 gr (@2,098 fps according to adjusted data) and 1.8" with 45.0 gr (@2,335 fps, ditto). Bullets recovered from hard, dry sandy clay soil penetrated 3/4" plywood, @1' of air, and @ 8-10" of the hard-packed earth. Perfect mushroom, peeled back uniformly to lock ring and held solid from there to base.

Could have easily loaded on up a couple hundred fps, but I was searching for a mild load. Wouldn't hesitate to use them on elk at all. Corelokts are one of my favorite bullets. At reasonable velocities, they do a fine job. Happy elk hunting!

[RaySendero]

185 gr CoreLokts are the best value in "deer bullets" for 8mm I 've found.
Might be OK - However, bet they are too soft if you want TWO holes per elk!  I would go with the 200 gr Noslers or 200 Swift A-Frames.  You might try 220 gr Sierra GameKings - I've read where Sierra has put heavier jackets on the over .30 caliber GameKings now.  My 2¢

[Snowshoe]

I have not tried the 185g bullet, but am using the Hornady 170g rn and 49.5g of IMR4064. This load travels at 2630 fps, and makes 1 1/2" groups with my sportered Turk. I have also used the 196g  Norma, and 46g of 4064 for a speed of 2450 fps, and 1" groups. I have a box of Hornady 195g psp bullets, but have not done much load development yet. The few loads I tried got me up to 2500 fps and a 2" group, but the day was cold and windy. I think the 170g bullet would work on elk and moose, but the 195 would be my first choice. I had no problem hitting a 8"x8" steel plate at 300 yards with the 196g Norma bullets, but they were very brittle, and no good for hunting.

[Mikey]

Hank - I prefer the Sellier and Bellot (S&B) 196 grain cutted edge soft point for all my 8mm work and I throw that from my M48A and from a VZ-24/52 with excellent results.  The M48A is primarily a field piece and still wears its open sights - somewhat enhanced though with a Swede front post and an opened up rear leaf.  The rifle groups under 2" at 100 yds with that load and it is inexpensive enough to stock up a good supply.

I think I might, someday, begin reloading the 8mm but doubt I will drop below the 196-200 gn level and some of the loading data from Vihta Vhoury Oy gives me the indication the 8mm can be a reloading fool's dream.

To me, given bore diameter and bullet weight comparisons, the 185 gn 8mm is on par with the 30-06 sporting a 165 gn bullet and that loading down the 8mm with lighter weight bullets at lower velocities simply doesn't do the cartridge, or hunter, any great favors.  But, that being said, I would think that if you are firm in your determination to use the 185 gn bullet it should suffice for Elk if you make sure it's moving out to around 27-2800'/sec, which is what a 308 with a 165 gn bullet will do and they call that an Elk cartridge to 2 or 300 yds.  

I don't think the 8mm gives up anything to the 30-06 and certainly not to the 308, as long as it is properly loaded but the operational word here is 'properly', meaning to outperform the 308 and be on par with the 30-06.  But, this is just my dos centavos worth.  Mikey.