Reloading for 8mm Mauser

[watt79]

I have been thinking about starting to reload, mainly because I just got my first Mauser and 8mm ammo seems a little on the pricey side. Looking around for good books on the subject, I came across this guide on Amazon. Has anyone used this manual before?

[XDRoX]

Those old manuals are cool to have but will not teach you how to reload. Basically someone got permission to copy the 8mm sections from a ton of different real manuals and put them all in one book. I have no idea why the major companies allowed someone to do this, but it was an awesome idea. Unfortunately most of the data in these old manuals is really old and some of the powders aren't popular any more or have been modified.

Reloading isn't really that hard. The ABC's of reloading is a great book to start with.

I don't reload for 8mm Mauser too often but I have all the stuff and have reloaded for it before. My loads were taken from a modern reloading manual and felt like mouse farts compared to surplus ammo. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[watt79]

Are there any more modern books you would recommend for 8mm load data? I am new to reloading and have not bought any equipment yet. I thought I would buy some books and read up on it first. I do have a general idea of the process and what I will need to get started.

[XDRoX]

Are there any more modern books you would recommend for 8mm load data? I am new to reloading and have not bought any equipment yet. I thought I would buy some books and read up on it first. I do have a general idea of the process and what I will need to get started.

Any reloading manual will have 8mm Mauser data in it. If all you want is data that manual you posted isn't a bad idea. It'll have a ton of loads in it. I misunderstood, I thought you were looking for something to learn how to reload.

All my manuals have 8mm Mauser load data in them.

[kurac]

You can also go to the powder manufacturers website for current load date. Do a google search for Winchester Powder, they have a nice loading section. There are not a lot of choices for 8mm brass and projectiles, I kind of gave up on it a few years ago. I will soon be selling my M48, ammo, dies and I guess I will have to pull down the loaded ammo I have. Back in the day I was using Nosler 180gr Ballistic Tips, they used to be $12 for 50, I wouldn't be surprised if they are double that now, if you can find them.

[bogey]

I load hunting rounds for my 8mm Mauser. I have had good luck with the barns 180 grn bullets using there load data. My Mauser doesn't like light bullets. They have to be 170 grn or more. I mostly hunt the "condor zone" so I haven't used lead bullets for that gun in a long time.

[Divernhunter]

Get the Lyman #49 reloading manual and read it. It will answer most questions and has data for your 8mm as well as most other cartridges.---Good luck

[Timbob55]

I've been handloading 8x57 for a M48 as well as a Remington Classic for many years now.

Like bogey said. Longer, heavier bullets work best. My fave is 195gr from Hornady.

For a long time, american reloading data for 8mm Mauser was low pressure. That isn't the case as much any more.

I like Hornady bullets, so I use the most recent Hornady reloading manual.

Also, Mike Venturino (Rifle Magazine) published some hand loads he uses that replicate the WW II loadings for K98 Mausers. A google search should help you find it.

The Lyman book is excellent too as Divernhunter stated above.

[Rem222]

I have those books in several calibers. They are nice to have around.

http://www.imrpowder.com/

Check IMRs web-site.. The Reloading data center.. Lot's of information to be found there.

[CCrawford]

Reloading manual cartridge coverage here. Scroll down to Row 1767. Move across columns to check manuals that cover 8mm. 8mm is almost universally covered in handloading manuals due to number of rifles imported in the past 70+ years.

Internet sites of Hodgdon, Alliant, Ramshot, Accurate, VV, etc. Each site has its own way to access the information, but normally can be found quickly. FYI Hodgdon sells something like 80-90% of all powder sold in America (per them), so maybe start there.

All of the major brand name manuals (Lee, Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Sierra, Lyman, ABCs, etc.) have instruction on each part of the reloading process. Check your local library as well, as some do have manuals on the shelf. There was also a thread about barrowing someone's reloading manuals. a search might find it and you could get on the waiting list.

Reloading is not hard to do, but also is not forgiving of any mistakes (read KABOOM!). Do not let yourself be distracted, lose your place, let a breeze or fan blow your scale pan, etc. It is fun and less expensive normally, but also serious business.

Good Luck,
Criss

[klewan]

8mm Mauser??? Interesting wrinkle with that, the Germans made an S and a J model. J was .318", the S was .323". Supposedly the J was phased out in 1905, and only the larger S built. But after WWI, the Germans built more J models to get around the Treaty of Versailles prohibition on military calibers.. Slug the barrel to make sure what you've got. People also swapped barrels, so that makes it even more crazy....

[watt79]

My rifle is an M24/47 with a new M48 barrel, so I think it should be .323. Thanks for all of the advice, I will pick up a few of the suggested texts and start doing some reading.

[cruddymutt]

One little note on reloading 8mm, you can form cases from 30-06 and 270 brass. I load for three K98's and use 196gr Hornady BTHP match bullets.

[longhairchris]

I use the Hornady manual, but have thumbed through a Lyman and it was pretty good too. Hodgdon's website is a great resource. Sometimes I punch it up on my Android phone to cross check loads while I'm at the bench.

I had good results with H4895 and H335 (common to my .223 loads).

[klewan]

My rifle is an M24/47 with a new M48 barrel, so I think it should be .323. Thanks for all of the advice, I will pick up a few of the suggested texts and start doing some reading.

Slug the barrel, it doesn't cost much/anything. Military guns are a real can of worms when it comes to bore size.