Reduced or duplex load for 8x50 in Steyer 88/90?

[Dhall_37]

Hey guys got a pretty worn out mannlicher 88/90 from RTI I was wondering what would be the best approach to load for it? I have some 7.62x54 brass on hand to form however I don’t know what charge to go with?

I have 3031, IMR and H4895, IMR 4227 and GOEX 2F. Would anyone know a load for the old wedge locking action? Only bullets I have are 180gr .323 coated cast bullets with a gas check.

Also the 7.62x54R brass fits easily in the chamber with out being trimmed, is this an issue? Or do I need to blow it out to 8mm first?

[Dhall_37]

Just blew out the 7.62x54R to 8mm and didn’t notice anything different when chambering.

[uscra112]

A worn out rifle.......I won't touch this one.

[Dhall_37]

Why? Most older military rifles espically antiques are pretty worn out, but by no means unsafe.

[30calflash]

I don't have a Steyr but would a 32 Winchester special cast load with a powder you have make sense?

[Dhall_37]

I’d say something like that or 7.62x54R cast bullet loads would be prefect. I’ve had success with IMR 4227 in 8x57 so I might have to give it a go.

[15meter]

There is an article by Ed Harris that has been around for a number of years, below is one link to one of the versions that has been quoted numerous times.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/curioandrelicfirearmsforum/ed-harris-articles-for-reduced-loads-t2704.html

I load for an 8x56R using info from this article and have been quite pleased. Hopefully you can glean some useful info from it.

And 7.62x54R brass has worked for me in the past with no problems. Range find brass converted is considerably cheaper than the correct headstamp stuff. I use 7.62x54R for 8x50R also.

This has been posted on the forum several times, I'd love to see the Ed Harris article turned into a sticky, I think the question comes up often enough that it warrants a sticky.

But I've been wrong before, just ask my wife.

Or daughter.

[Dhall_37]

I’ll have to give that a re read, thanks for the link.

[15meter]

And here's the Ed Harris article as a sticky that I can never remember where it's at:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article&highlight=8x56r