8x57 on the range

[kombi1976]

I'm off to a 50yd indoor range tomorrow with my k98 to test some loads.

I trying 3 different loads of 170gn Speer Hot-Cor Semi-spitzers and 2 loads of 180gn Nosler Ballistic Tips.

I also have 5 rounds of PMC 170gn SPs that I'll use to make sure I can print a couple at 25yds then at 50 before seeing how well the Speers and Noslers group.

Any hints as to how high the bullets will print above the centre when I'm using the bottom setting on the open military sights...i.e. 100yds?

I'll let you know how things turn out with a range report & some pics.

[Mikey]

Ummmm kombi, I think you might be hitting a tad high.  I believe the mil-spec Mauser front sights were regulated to point of aim at about 300 yds.  This would mean a higher impact at 100 yds, and the same at 50 just about, than you might expect.  Had the same thing happen on my 48A - had to install a Swedish Mauser taller front sight blade to get it to poa at 100 yds.  Your rounds might hit a bit lower as they may shoot flatter than the mil-spec 200 grainers.  Mikey.

[kombi1976]

Ummmm kombi, I think you might be hitting a tad high.  I believe the mil-spec Mauser front sights were regulated to point of aim at about 300 yds.  This would mean a higher impact at 100 yds, and the same at 50 just about, than you might expect.  Had the same thing happen on my 48A - had to install a Swedish Mauser taller front sight blade to get it to poa at 100 yds.  Your rounds might hit a bit lower as they may shoot flatter than the mil-spec 200 grainers.  Mikey.

I actually thought the mil-spec ammo for a 8x57JS is a 154gn FMJ.  :|
But yeah, I'd expect my loads to hit lower, both because the bullets are quite a bit heavier and because the military ammo tends to be hotter.
So are we talking an inch or 2"? :|

[Stan in SC]

The standard military loading for an 8X57 is 192 grain.The Turks were one of the few countries which used a lighter bullet of 147 grains.

A military Mauser is expected to hit out to 300 yards and that is what most of them were sighted for.At 100 yards you will be anywhere from 10 to 18 inches high.Notice on your rear sight that the minimum setting is probably 300 yards.

A heavier bullet with a comparable load of powder will hit higher than a lighter bullet not lower.This idea that a heavier bullet will hit lower is a common misconception.The heavier bullet does not leave the barrel as quick as a lighter one and recoil is greater with a heavier bullet.Therefore the barrel is rising and the heavier bullet is in there longer and leaves the barrel when it has raised from recoil.

[kombi1976]

10 TO 18 INCHES HIGH!!  :shock:
Am I going to be able to plant it on paper at all at 50 yards?
Should I be guided by what it does at 25yds?
Keep in mind that the targets I'll probably be using will be the 50yard small bore targets.
Should I shell out for full size full bore target so I have a little more room?
My k98 does have a 100yd setting on it's adjustable rear sights.
Surely this would have some effect on it's trajectory?

[jh45gun]

Shoot if first before you panic I have had some milsurps including mausers shoot POA at 50 or just a couple inches high. Not all of them shoot high as some one may have done sightwork to it before you got it. Jim

[1911crazy]

I have learned to shoot military rifles that have orginal sight settings like i shoot handguns aim low!!! Not at 6 oclock low but lower than I usually would because they are sighted in for more distance than 100yds that i shoot most of the time.  My Egyptian Hakim 8mm shot high with the PMC 8mm 170gr ammo too but it did group good its good out of the box stuff.  I blew a coffee cup to pieces at 100yds on the berm with PMC ammo when i first shot my hakim.  My Hakim just may shoot more accurately  with the heavier 196gr FMJ military bullet.  I think there is a reason why remington only offers the 185gr bullet for the 8mm maybe most 8mm's will shoot the heavier bullet more accurate I guess were going to have to compare them.                                                      BigBill

I don't adjust the front sight blade on all my military guns I just get used to how it shoots and adjust the kentucky windage.  So far what i have shot seems to shoot 2" to 4" high at 100yds. which seems to be 200 and 300 meter zero's.  We must remember these guns were sighted in meters.

Since I will probably never do any distance shots here because there are no long ranges here to shoot i wonder just how accurate some of these are at 200/300meters out to 600meters??  If we remember the Finn's they were very capable with their M39 mosins and making 600meter shots with iron sights.  I just wonder how accurate these ladder sights are?  Did any gun magazines ever do a test with these old war horses for accuracy in distance using the ladder sights?  I would love to see it done and see the results.  That sure kicks the butt off some of the military guns made today.  Well we have gone to urban warfare too so shorter barrels are better in tighter situations and we don't go by "one shot one kill" anymore its "spray and pray you hit something" what a waste of ammo?

[1911crazy]

I have learned to shoot military rifles that have orginal sight settings like i shoot handguns aim low!!! Not at 6 oclock low but lower than I usually would because they are sighted in for more distance than 100yds that i shoot most of the time.  My Egyptian Hakim 8mm shot high with the PMC 8mm 170gr ammo too but it did group good its good out of the box stuff.  I blew a coffee cup to pieces at 100yds on the berm with PMC ammo when i first shot my hakim.  My Hakim just may shoot more accurately  with the heavier 196gr FMJ military bullet.  I think there is a reason why remington only offers the 185gr bullet for the 8mm maybe most 8mm's will shoot the heavier bullet more accurate I guess were going to have to compare them.                                                      BigBill

I don't adjust the front sight blade on all my military guns I just get used to how it shoots and adjust the kentucky windage.  So far what i have shot seems to shoot 2" to 4" high at 100yds. which seems to be 200 and 300 meter zero's.  We must remember these guns were sighted in meters.

Since I will probably never do any distance shots here because there are no long ranges here to shoot i wonder just how accurate some of these are at 200/300meters out to 600meters??  If we remember the Finn's they were very capable with their M39 mosins and making 600meter shots with iron sights.  I just wonder how accurate these ladder sights are?  Did any gun magazines ever do a test with these old war horses for accuracy in distance using the ladder sights?  I would love to see it done and see the results.  That sure kicks the butt off some of the military guns made today.  Well we have gone to urban warfare too so shorter barrels are better in tighter situations and we don't go by "one shot one kill" anymore its "spray and pray you hit something" what a waste of ammo?