8x57 Mauser

[AkRvrrat]

fellas, shooting the VZ24 in orginal military configuration is pretty neat. I have reloaded with new R-P brass trimmed, Nosler Partition 200grn., Fed. 210 primers and 52 grains of IMR4350 and am getting 2415 fps on the average and ES of 35 and SD of 13. I have measured the expansion ring at the web after the 3 round working up from 50, 51 and 52 grains and it measures .4695"-still a mild load if you will. Looking at what has worked well with you all using and shooting different powder with the same bullet.

thanks

[AkRvrrat]

well guess this is a note to myself-ha. went up to 53gr. IMR4350 and was getting an avg of 2440 fps, load was abit compressed, no point trying to compress anymore as the load could eventually grow down the road. Went over to RL15 and have found an easy load with min. expansion at the ring  and primers are still resistant to seating @ 2609fps avg. The Turk 196 grn ammo was chrony'd at 2700fps plus so I suspect that this load is "safe". My concern was lug "setback". The 1924 CZ 98 is "touted" as a strong action. Fella just told me that "that what ever works in the .223 should be the go ahead for the 8mm".

Next load development will be with either the Woodleigh 220 .323" or perhaps the Swift-nah to spendy. Wish Winchester made the power points in this caliber for reloading

[cwlongshot]

I have found that mine shoot best with the 175 Sierra and 170 Hornady's and IMR4064 powder.

 I am loading it at the published max load with no pressure signs and sub1" accuracy with the sierra bullet.

Both bullets preform perfsctly on the half dozen or so whitetails I have shot with them.

CW

[AkRvrrat]

I have heard that about the owners of the 8x57 shooting in its full wood wrap. I wonder if that is due to the twist rate of the barrel? Is that 1-9 twist rate that is the norm for these military shooters? I am exploring my options thus far, I target shoot standing as that is going to be what I do in the field-not saying I am an expert marksman but the preferred position. 4064 seems to be the most popular powder so far-but there seems to me quite alot of choices

thanks.

[Cheesehead]

I have had great results with RL15 and 200 grain Speer, and RL15 with 220 grain Remington bullets both on targets and deer in my 98.

Cheese

[Snowshoe]

Try the Hornady 195g psp bullet and 4064 or Win 748. These bullets shot well for me with almost any powder charge, and well under an inch with the right load, that was traveling at around 2600 fps.

[AkRvrrat]

thanks fellas for the info. I really don't shoot offhand on paper nor at a range with any open sights. If you are getting that kind of shooting with irons @ 100yds then by jove I too am just going to have to do that! I do scopes on paper and am precise with both load develpment and targeting but have all thru my 50 yrs just never did it with "irons". Field use of irons on Ak. moose is required to only be "minute" of moose-pretty easy with irons especially when I can ease on in pretty close.

Got me a Calwell rifle rest so lets see what I can achieve-great curiousity now.

thanks.