Surplus ammo 8mm?

[Adelphos]

Recently bought a m98 Mauser from a gun show and with it came some ammo. I took it to the range and fired some down at about 100yrds. To my slight disappointment i was getting maybe 8inch groups. Now im not that bad of a shot. Wasnt sure if it was the gun the ammo or both. I cleaned the gun and found some copper build up in the barrel that might have something to do with it. Just didnt know if that surplus ammo isnt exactly dead on. Also getting into reloading it and heard good things about custom loads getting the accuracy i desire. Any suggestions to pointers so i see what might be my problem?


Adel

[Mssr. Eleganté]

How does the muzzle of the barrel look? What type of surplus 8mm ammo were you shooting? What type of Model 98 Mauser?

Some types of Mausers tend to shoot the 154gr light ball better while other types of Mausers tend to shoot the 198gr heavy ball better.

[Waldog]

Be sure to clean that barrel well!!! Most surplus 8mm is Corrosive and needs to be cleaned with soapy, hot water, followed by a "regular" Hoppes cleaning.