8 mm Mauser

[rainierrifleco]

Been on the lookout for the perfect cast bullet rifle
I think I have found the Perfict platform
A 1930s ara german style 98 sporter with manlicher stock double set triggers spoon bolt pancake cheek piece weigh only 6 1/4 lb.
my question for the experts. What bullet should work well I’m thinking 170-200.
Hardness? Vol ??

[Oldfeller]

How big is the throat? Mausers built for war had some large throat dimensions, but you are talking an upper end sporter, right? This may not need an enlarged bullet for a WWI big mud eating military rifle's throat.

We built some bullets for the military mausers back in the day, the ghost of which are still available to be purchased from Midsouth.


https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000068mmmax/8mm-maximum-225-grain-double-cavity-reproduction-mold


https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000068mmkar/8mm-karabiner-215-grain-double-cavity-reproduction-mold



Beware: Midsouth may be supplying the first one (the larger type) for both types when you order one.

Please note: ---- Midsouth or LEE has taken great license with this design and played a whole lot of dummie games with the throat fit up and once even stated that all dimensions get controlled by the sizer die, a statement which is totally wrong --- LEE was just making excuses for totally mis-cutting a bunch of molds and then refusing to take them back.


:razz:


One time I bought an errant "hugely oversized" mold from a poster and it was simply two mismatched cavity halves slapped together making up a really gargantuan bullet. I lapped it to be round and then used it in a 8x57 Steyr straight pull rifle at .336" bore size.

[racepres]

That bullet Oldfeller shows looks like a nice one.. but, I do Not prefer a Gas Check on as Mild a load as I use in my 98 Sporter..
12 to 13 gr of Red Dot does about all I need the 8x57 to do..using a 170 gr Plain base, I got from a member here...
Tho I must admit, with the questionable availability of large rifle primers... I have backed off on alot of my recreational shooting... Using the 300 Savage when I do use a centerfire Rifle... occasionally, the 35 Remington!!!
Large Pistols, (.44 and .45), and Now .22RF are starting to get some Use around here too lately... Maybe I should be using Large Pistol Primers in that 8mm ... And the Savage???

[Dutchman]

The 8mm Maximum from Midsouth was the worst mold I've bought. Very poor quality control. The bottom of the two mold halves were stepped causing flanging on the base. And the as-cast diameter was so large that I had to seat the bullets extremely deep in the case. I sized .325".

https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/4/28344/9430776/DSCF2845bc-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/bullet-casting/dscf2845bc.html)

https://images14.fotki.com/v1375/photos/4/28344/9430776/DSCF2844bc-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/bullet-casting/dscf2844bc.html)

This is how deep they have to be seated for my old Gewehr 98 made in 1917.
https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/4/28344/9430776/20210823_131617-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/bullet-casting/20210823-131617.html)

Highly recommend this NOE bullet. I have a 4 cavity of this one.
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/326-8mm/326-220-fn-p5/326-220-fn-p5-2-cavity-gc-326471/

https://images34.fotki.com/v1675/photos/4/28344/9430776/20190805_194928x-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/bullet-casting/20190805-194928x-1.html)

This RCBS flatnose has shot some excellent groups for me in a couple different rifles.
http://gardnerscache.com/8mm_170_lfp_g_c.html

[Oldfeller]

I agree that LEE has pretty much lost control of their custom mold business. Midsouth simply does whatever LEE says, and that is also so wrong much of the time.

I am amazed that LEE would have the gall to ship a mold that was "tuned" on the sprue surface with a belt sander --- looks like LEE had some extremely badly mismatched cavity halves again.

I got tired of having to lap fix whole mold runs that were mis-made by LEE, so I jest don't do that to myself any longer .......

LEE no longer does custom mold runs as they had to eat too many of them.

On the good side, LAR45 used a 8mm Max to kill a full sized American Bison, so when properly made it was a good bullet.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'd try Lee's C324-175 mold

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010213717

[Lakehouse2012]

These might work....?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220212/8a45f163dde3ba1a41004e91157d2753.jpg

Sent from my SM-A526U using Tapatalk

[beemer]

I bought the Lee 8mm KAR mold, it shot fine but would not feed out of one side of the magazine in my M48. The Lee 175 shoots just as well and feeds better.

[wmitty]

Bought a used Zastava M 70 in 7.92 x 57 and have the Max mould along with the rcbs 8 mm and 323470 Loverin mould designs. The rcbs shoots best so far; but I am able to seat the Max long and hope to come up with an accurate load for it. After a couple hundred rounds of cast thru the rifle, I am liking the cartridge.

[Larry Gibson]

If the rifle was made pre WWII then you'll want to slug the barrel to determine the actual bore/groove size and, possibly, a chamber cast to determine the actual cartridge. If pre WWII it's more than likely .318 but could be .323/.324 if made for a German Officer.

If post WWII built on a surplus M98 KAR then I would suspect it was built for a Serviceman stationed in Germany. Whoever would have built it or had it built would have used a barreled action in excellent condition or had a new barrel installed. If it is an 8x57 J (what we refer to as the 8x57 or 8mm Mauser) then the bore/groove is more than like .323. I've shot many M98 7.92mm's (the German designation) with numerous cast bullets. If your rifle is indeed a .323 groove, then I suggest the Lyman 323470 or the NOE facsimile of the 323471 (probably the best and most accurate 8mm cast bullet). The Lee C324-175-1R also is well recommended.

[frkelly74]

I have the 175 gr old lee design. They used that basic shape for 30 cal 324 cal 338 and possibly 35 cal. Also the 277 mold I just got has the same basic shape. It works!! it is a good economical choice for plinking ammo. I had a 98-22 with turk markings that I could shoot eggs at 50 yards with using a charge of Herco and with the sight elevated to 300 m. I regret having sold that rifle. The Kar boolit also shoots well but uses more lead. I have zero complaints about Lee molds in general.

[tdoor4570]

I'd try Lee's C324-175 mold

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010213717

I have the C324-175 and it works very well out of my M-48 8x57 have not tried it in my 2 org. K-98's yet

[waksupi]

Good heavens, I haven't seen Oldfeller post for ages! Howdy!

I think the 8mm is a very under rated chambering, being my second favorite to the .358 Win. Stick with a Loverin type bullet of around 220 gr., and success and happiness shall grace you.

[sharps4590]

I have several different 8mm's; 8 X 57 I and J, 8 X 60, 8 X 60R, 8 X 56 and 8 X 65R Brenneke. Except for two double rifles this is the bullet I use in all of them. As has been mentioned, slug the bore and order the mold size accordingly.

https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=32-205B

For that bullet I like IMR-3031 or Reloder 7 for between 1700 and 1900 fps.

[Oldfeller]

Good heavens, I haven't seen Oldfeller post for ages! Howdy!

I think the 8mm is a very under rated chambering, being my second favorite to the .358 Win. Stick with a Loverin type bullet of around 220 gr., and success and happiness shall grace you.


Hey Ric,

I've been posting project work on the 350 Legend thread for a while now.

Speaking of .358 bullets, did that LEE round nose .360" mold ever go get all loosey goosy on you again?

[waksupi]

Hey Ric,

I've been posting project work on the 350 Legend thread for a while now.

Speaking of .358 bullets, did that LEE round nose .360" mold ever go get all loosey goosy on you again?


To tell the truth, I haven't used it for quite awhile. I really should, I've been using a heavier bullet in the local sporting rifle matches, and it doesn't take a big bullet to kill steel. I've been trying to weed out some guns so I can concentrate on just a few.

[kywoodwrkr]

Good heavens, I haven't seen Oldfeller post for ages! Howdy!

I think the 8mm is a very under rated chambering, being my second favorite to the .358 Win. Stick with a Loverin type bullet of around 220 gr., and success and happiness shall grace you.

I have to concur!
Found some of the original group buy 6,5 SC molds from EONs ago in some stuff I'm sorting through.
Just sent one to a gentleman who obtained a WW2 6,5 rifle.
Has the original "stamp" on bottom.:bigsmyl2:
Have a couple of the 8mm SC group buy molds as well.
Memories are so nice!
Thanks

[Oldfeller]

I haven't struck anything with the official Oldfeller stamp in quite a while ---- I still have it though. :bigsmyl2:

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I normally use jacketed bullets in 8x57, as I usually load it to full power. Which means velocities in excess of what cast lead bullets can normally handle. That being said, I do use loads with cast bullets over "The Load" of 2400. That is the old universal load for military rifles from 6.5mm through .32 caliber. You use 16 grains of 2400 under a cast bullet ranging in weight from 150-180 grains. That gives you a mild target load that is powerful enough to take deer at close range. For 8mm, I use the old Lee 175 grain bullet sized through a Lee 8mm sizing die (sized to .323-.324", depending on the alloy). I have no idea how fast it is moving, but it makes a fairly accurate target load out of several of my 8x57 guns. I have never tried it in a .318" bore, though it is supposed to work in that too. If you have the smaller diameter bore, you could also use .32 caliber rifle bullets, as they normally come out of the molds at .321", and would work just fine.

-Mb

[Larry Gibson]

Most 8x57 military barrels very good to excellent condition have grooves that are .005" + deep. With the classic Lyman Lovern 323471 (still available from NOE) very good hunting accuracy out to 200 - 250 yards can be had using slower burning powders with velocities upwards of 2100+/- fps. It is the deeper grooves, slower powders and bullets design [long bearing surface to bullet length] that allows this combination to be pushed above the RPM Threshold. Years ago, I acquired a single Cavity Lyman 323471 HP mould and it has proven exceptional for accuracy and for terminal effect on game.

[lar45]

Hi Oldfeller! I remember the story of the 8mm Bison, but it wasn't me.
Sounds like a great rifle, we need pics.
I agree with Larry, this may have a .318" bore instead of the .323". I would do a chamber cast including the first part of the rifling.. then you'll get a closeup look at the neck diameter,, throat and land and groove measurements.

[rainierrifleco]

So the bore slugs .3215 at the muzzle

[Larry Gibson]

With a .3215 grove diameter I would suspect the rifle is intended for use with the 8x57 cartridge used in the 88 Commision rifle. Many 88 Commission rifles had such groove diameters. A chamber cast would be best for positive ID. Does the rifle have any cartridge designation on it? If it was made in Europe, it should have been proofed and as such would have a cartridge designation stamped on it. Perhaps under the wood on the barrel?

[rainierrifleco]

no carterage stamp on barrel and no maker on the action there are some proof stamps in verious places
i read somwhere germany was under treaty after ww 1 couldnt produce military chamberings bu i know in the 30s the were chambering the 8x57 had my hands on a kregoff ou rifle on 8x57 the guy carved his lion record on the stock
simba 1932 34-36 4-6 hash marks after each date kinds cool but unbelieavable he did that to shuc a work of art
so when hitler took over he mostl ignored the treaty
this may have been made after the war or who knows where maaybe in the us in the 50s but style scream german but there were lots if german gunsmiths moved to us after the war
so i ordered some lead gascheck 180 gr bullets and worked up to 13 gr of red dot seems to shoot pretty good not on paper yet just into the snow kinda hits where im aiming at 50-100 yds