Help with an 8mm mauser elk/moose load

[kombi1976]

I like that new European 8mm round I have seen them before but have not found any to purchase
without having to import them.

Roughly what sort of price do these solid copper bullets fetch?

[lgm270]

I"ve been trying to find out the costs, availability, etc., with no luck so far. 

The idea of a 139 grain .323" bullet at 3,000 fps from an 8x57 is very intriguing.

[Mr. Joe]

Mr bread and butter load for game up to and including mule dear is a 150gr. softpoint at just over 3000 fps.  Getting a 139 there should be no problem what so ever.  Try 51gr. of H4895

[Drilling Man]

  Hey Joe,

  Did i mention yet, that the 200NP's are an "excellent" one bullet for anything you would want to harvest with an 8x57???     

  DM

[Mr. Joe]

For closer work i would tend to agree, however where i hunt i often find myself with between 250-325 yards between me and the animal.  For this reason, i prefer a flatter trajectory than 2500 fps can offer. 

[Cecil]

I have chased velocity with a 8x57 myself my best loads were 170 gr Speer semi spitz over IMR 4350 vel ran a bit over 2500 out of a 19 " barrel chronograph 10' in front of muzzle all tho not tack driver a 2.5 " at 100 yds its adequate

[Mr. Joe]

With just load book data i have gotten the 175gr. sierras to hit mid 2700s.  My best luck has been with h4895 and like powders.

[Drilling Man]

  *8mm 200NP  B.C. 426  200 yard zero...

  mz 2,300 fps -8.4" @ 300 yds.

  mz 2,400 fps -7.5" @ 300 yds.

  mz 2,500 fps -6.8" @ 300 yds.

  mz 2,600 fps -6.3" @ 300 yds.

  Now, if the 2" difference between all of those will cause you to miss a deer size animal at 300 yds., you have NO business shooting that far at a deer...

  With a good rest, "i" can hit a coyote in the chest with any of those out to 300 yards, so 1 or 200 fps really doesn't amount to much on a deer sized animial...

  DM

* taken from Nosler 5 fifth edition

[Mr. Joe]

For closer work i would tend to agree, however where i hunt i often find myself with between 250-325 yards between me and the animal.  For this reason, i *prefer* a flatter trajectory than 2500 fps can offer. 

I also prefer a chevy to a ford.  Doesnt mean i cant drive the ford though   

I am trying to get a mid 2600 load with the 200s worked up.  Ill keep you all posted as to how close i get.

[454Puma]

Though I haven't shot an elk or moose with the 8mm Mauser  I would have no doupts it would ruin there day quickly. My load for either would be the 180gr Nosler BT or the Rem 185 Corelok!!!  Both of these loads are extemely accurate out of my G98/40 -both will shoot Sub-MOA at 100 yards open sights!  Given that 250 yards would not be hard to do on a big target like an elk or moose.  Why so many folks pupu the 8mm as in adequate for everything other then deer haven't shot it much for sure. I would take this cartridge for everything in NA -Including the big nasty bears up north. Just as I would take my '06 cause loaded right either will kill anything we have in NA just as dead as any MAG!

[Sweetwater]

The OP is Elk/Moose - significantly heavier than even a heavy Whitetail or Mulie Deer.

My 8x57 is a Persian Carbine w/18"barrel+/-   all velocities are over Chrony at 15ft from muzzle.

My first Bull elk dropped to a 175gr Sierra (2700fps) at 75yards (near Willow Creek, South Pass, Wy - by the powerline). Bullet found under hide on offside, after plowing through both shoulders of the smallish 4-point - 139gr left intact.

My next Bull was 200yards or so at quite an angle downhill (Monument Ridge, Bondurant, Wy - below the fire tower near the beaver pond). The nice 5-point took a 200gr Nosler Partition (2400fps) on the dead run and plowed a furrow with his nose. Again through the shoulders and on through.

A memorable Elk hunt with my Dad in the Jack Morrow hills near South Pass, WY. A 200gr Nosler Partition (2400fps) entered an inch below the tailbone and an inch right. It was found in the right shoulder, nicely mushroomed. Happened to have my survey gear with me - distance 265yards slightly sloping downhill. Not sure if I'd taken that shot with the 175gr Sierra. Something about confidence that I had gained with the 200gr Nosler Partition. Carved the meat right up to the wound channel. I thought there would be more loss.

Another elk was shot above Fall Creek, Boulder, Wy. This time with a WW cast bullet. 183grFPGC at 2230fps.

Not sure what your beef is with the trajectory of the 8x57? There is nothing wrong with 2400fps and that 200gr Nosler (BTW - the 200gr Nosler is faster than the 185gr Remington Coreloks with the same powder charge - yeah, I didn't believe the Chrony either, until I fired the next string!) I do happen to like the 185gr Rem, just have not shot anything bigger than a Whitetail with it. I did get a load with H4895 that tripped the Chrony at 2550fps with the 185 Remingtons, and they are cheap! The 175gr Sierras are the speed demons at 2700fps. The 150gr Sierras/Hornadys only gain another 100fps.

Know your rifle, set the sights appropriately, and go hunting. The 8x57 will get it done!

Regards,
Sweetwater

[kombi1976]

My 8x57 is a Persian Carbine w/18"barrel+/-   all velocities are over Chrony at 15ft from muzzle.

Any chance of seeing a pic of that Persian carbine, Sweetwater?

[Sweetwater]

My 8x57 is a Persian Carbine w/18"barrel+/-   all velocities are over Chrony at 15ft from muzzle.

Any chance of seeing a pic of that Persian carbine, Sweetwater?

I can try - remember, this was sporterized in 1963 by my Dad.

Regards, Sweetwater

[Cheesehead]

Nice rifle Sweeetwater. I have been shooting 8mm Mauser since i was a kid. Really enjoy the 8mm threads.

Cheese

[Sweetwater]

Thanks Cheese.
You've probably read most of my stories involving this and other rifles in my battery.
I was 14 when Dad gave it to me - NRA 'new'. Still had the test tags on it. Some of those who hunt with me call it "my best girl". I rarely leave it home, even when I take other rifles along.
It's just totally dependable.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[witnessing]

You could try vv n160. Work up to 56.2gr. I've gotten 2575fps with a Yugo mauser(23.5"barrel) using Hornady's 195gr sp and 3 shot groups averaged around 1.3". N160 is very temperature stable.