Mold recommendation for 8mm Mauser, G88 rifle

[LostSoul]

I'd like to get back into reloading and casting. I didn't go too deep last time I did, just basic casting and loading for .38/.357. I've recently acquired a G88/05 and I think it's the perfect candidate to get into rifle reloading, not to mention casting. My bore slugs out to .323". What would be a good mold to start out with? I still need to get pretty much everything else equipment wise, but I figured I'd start with a mold...:)

[Gewehr-Guy]

Mine shoots very well with Lee's 175gr bullet and they only cost $20, that bullet and 16gr of 2400 should be a good start. NOE had a nice line of interesting choices but I'm not sure whats left in stock. Fun rifles,give us an update when you get it shooting.

[kungfustyle]

Lee mold will get you started and works fine. Lyman 323470 is a fantastic mold and will last a lifetime. Both will need to be sized down but you should be good to go. NOE makes great 8mm molds too, take your pick. I own the two above and they both function fine the RD molds from NOE wont chamber from the left side of the mag, or at least they didn't for me.

[LostSoul]

The Lee and Lyman are both supposed to drop at .323, correct? Wouldn't I need a thousandth or two bigger for a .323 bore?

Edit: I see the Lee is listed at .324

[Gewehr-Guy]

LostSoul, my Lee casts at .324 with #2 alloy and I have an Ideal Louverin style mould,323470? that casts at .326.

[LostSoul]

I decided to try the Lee first. I had good luck with their molds in the past, and it's much more affordable. When I saw the price of the stuff in my cart from Midway I about had a coronary!

[OS OK]

"Haaah! :bigsmyl2: you ain't seen nothin yet!"

[Elkins45]

I’ve had very good luck with the Lee mold in my Turk.

[Hickory]

I decided to try the Lee first. I had good luck with their molds in the past, and it's much more affordable. When I saw the price of the stuff in my cart from Midway I about had a coronary!

If you want economy, you have to pay for it!

[bruce drake]

Most 1888 rifle bores are .318/.323 lands and grooves and have had their throats reamed out to accept the .323 jacketed bullets of the German m98 bullets. That said, I have had great accuracy sizing my 8mm bullets for my 88/05 Commission rifle at .323" When I reload for my other 8mm barrels, I size the bullets at .325".

[KenT7021]

I have the Saeco 081 mold.It casts at .325 and 187.2 grains.I've had it for years and cast with it for the first time today.I will use the bullets in Model 88's and 98's.The alloy I was using is a mix of range scrap and linotype.I have not checked the hardness of this batch of lead yet.

[HangFireW8]

My modern Lyman 323470 drops WW+2% tin at 0.323. I lube size and check it at 0.325" and it does surprisingly well in my 0.325" Turk, especially at plinking velocities with Unique and Red Dot.

With your bore, I think it will do just fine.

[Boolseye]

My K98 slugs out at .323 too. I have the Lee mold which I beagle out to .324 or so, and I also honed my Lee sizer to .324”. The boolit is unbelievably accurate over 16 gr. of 2400.

That said, I just bought the Karabiner from midsouth. I am looking forward to casting some up, maybe today. They have both the Karabiner and the Maximum in stock for under $20.

Update: Karabiner's a winner. Great heavy for the 8mm Mauser.

[Moonie]

I like the karabiner in my '98, 35gr of H4895 gives me 1,850fps and is accurate.

[HangFireW8]

I've shot a lot of the Karabiner, while accurate I held off on recommending it because it doesn't feed that great in my 93 action. The Lyman feeds well. Not sure about the Lee 175 as I don't have it (yet).

[Boolseye]

I like the karabiner in my '98, 35gr of H4895 gives me 1,850fps and is accurate.

Moonie, where do seat your Karabiners to?

[Moonie]

Moonie, where do seat your Karabiners to?

I seat them to the crimp groove, just behind the forward driving band. The karabiner is a great boolit for a mil-surp '98 but can have issues in some 8x57 rifles. It has a large bore riding nose that will not necessarily work well with tight throated rifles and as mentioned above, it doesn't necessarily feed as well as other designs. Works fine in my Spanish mauser however.

[Boolseye]

OK, thanks. I had thought that was a lube groove-I’m seating them like this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180217/ba7dfacf09009dea8bd5f69f9a001494.jpg
They chamber seated long but won’t feed.


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[gpidaho]

LostSoul: the 175 Lee works good in my 8s and is inexpensive. My favorite is the NOE 326407 190gr. FN. Gp

[Moonie]

OK, thanks. I had thought that was a lube groove-I’m seating them like this. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180217/ba7dfacf09009dea8bd5f69f9a001494.jpg
They chamber seated long but won’t feed.


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That is WAY deeper than I load them, I had feeding issues occasionally from one side of the magazine, light stoning fixed that issue.

[Boolseye]

Alright, thanks.


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[Eddie1971]

I may try that SAECO mold myself. I'm beginning to think the Karabiner is a bit overkill for a Gewehr 88. Mine drops at 240+ grains with range scrap.

[bruce drake]

My Midsouth 8mm Karabiner mold casts quite heavy also (220gr) and it is not liked by my 88/05 Commission Rifle and tumbled at 50 yards with a load at 1800fps.

It does work nicely in my Yugo Mauser rechambered in 8mm-06 but I load it a touch hotter.

Bruce

[MOA]

My Karabiner's all tumble lubed and ready for gas checks. If your throat is tight these may not be the best ones to use. If not, and you have enough room they are very accurate.

https://i.postimg.cc/Znkjgr4L/20180314-045440-001.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wyVhRRtt)

[Eddie1971]

I may try my Karabiner heads I casted in my K98K. I found my 88's are liking the Lee 175 grain mold. They drop at 180. Although the Karabiner over 31.5 grains of W748 worked good in one of my 88's.

[wrench]

My GEW 88 likes that Lee 175g mold as well. I've got a few other 8mm molds, but can't get them to outshoot the Lee.

[Eddie1971]

If I can get the extra cash I want that Saeco 190 grain 8mm head. That should drop and powder coat up to 195 or so. What is your 88's specs? Mine all have the original .321 bores that were S checked.