8MM Mauser and 2400

[Pirate69]

I am loading a 170 grain, gas checked boolit in front of 16.0 grains of 2400. The cases have been recently annealed. I am getting a LOT of gas leakage around the neck and it is really sooty. Not a clean burn by any means. Does this indicate too light a powder charge? Thinking of going to 17 grains. Do I need a heavier crimp to hold the boolit longer? Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Outpost75]

Heavier crimp will help, as will increasing the charge. With a GC bullet about 18 grs. is OK with the bullet you gave. I use the 16-grain charge for a 225-240-grain LBT LFN bullet.

Also good is 8 grains of Bullseye or 10 grs. of Unique, or 12 grs. of PB or Herco.

[shredder]

I am loading a 170 grain, gas checked boolit in front of 16.0 grains of 2400. The cases have been recently annealed. I am getting a LOT of gas leakage around the neck and it is really sooty. Not a clean burn by any means. Does this indicate too light a powder charge? Thinking of going to 17 grains. Do I need a heavier crimp to hold the boolit longer? Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

By all means go on up to 17,18 or 19 grains. A moderate crimp should suffice. I do not crimp at all with the lee 170 grain boolit and I get groups in the 2 inch range at 100 yards with my reciever sighted Mauser Using 18 grains of 2400. If you have any red dot in your arsenal I can highly reccomend 13 grains with that boolit in 8x57.

[aspangler]

I took mine all the way to 24.8 2400 same boolit. Good groups and good expansion. No signs of pressure in MY mauser.

[Donor8x56r]

I found that with lighter 2400 loads(some calibers) I have to tip barrel up before each shot to get great accuracy without soot on cases or my face.