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Thread: Elk hunting with 8mm

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


    nagantguy's Avatar
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    Elk hunting with 8mm

    As posted in military rifles I’ll be elk hunting with an 8mm Mauser it shoots very wel
    With Sierra and Speer jwords. It also shoots the lee 175 very well
    With h4895.as I plan to hunt with cast I was looking and dreaming about the NOE 326-198 RF CG mold as I’d like a little heavier than the lee . Anyone have any experience with this boolit ? If you use this and have the mold I’d gladly pay or trade you to make me some.
    Let me hear about your favorite recipe and success with this boolit.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    I have used an 8mm Mauser on 1 cow elk. I used a 200gr Nosler Partition at 2500fps. Using a peep sight on open ground I shot the cow at about 195 yards, she ran about 400 yards, leaving a clear blood spray in the snow. The bullet had cut the aorta and went out through a rib, leaving a 2" exit hole. I would use that load again. If you must punch an elk with a cast bullet, I would suggest a larger diameter, a 358 with a 250 or more. I think in the 8mm, I would want a 225-250 grain at a minimum, if I just HAD to use a cast bullet. Most 8mm have fast twist (1-9.5?) so stabilty would not be a problem. If you limit your shots to broadside lung shots under 200 yards, you will kill them. How far thy run is a different question.

  3. #3
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

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    The 8mm is the incestuous little brother of the .358 win, and is one of the best cast bullet chamberings for North American hunting. I like the 220-230 weight. Drop me a pm to remind me, I may have a heavy mold I could part with.
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
    John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"

    Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!


  4. #4
    Boolit Master


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    Pm sent! Thanks for your input guys,

    This is a vintage rifle that my wife bought for me on our 1st anniversary; I fell in love with it when we made an unplanned stop at a gun shop on the way to our anniversary dinner and than the concert I surprised her with; a sold out show that I made a big deal of not being able to get tickets for; when really I’d scored a pair! Wonderful memories, figured I should take a special rifle on a special hunt; will be the first time in 6-7 years the whole CREW will be able to make elk camp!
    Last edited by nagantguy; 02-14-2019 at 10:54 AM.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


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    Great story, even greater memories. You've got a winner both in the wife and the rifle. I hope your hunt is successful.
    Mark 5:34 And He said to her (Jesus speaking), "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check