8mm Mauser

[Wolfdog91]

Anyone happen to cast for one of these ? This one came in the local pawn shop. Just looking at it other then the trigger is a beautiful little gun , great looking bore too ! Well little brother convinced me to put it on layway ( yeah a payment plan for all the $300 their asking [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]) and he's about to buy it as his first legit firearm purchase. Said it's a quirky thing and likes it more than the factory guns .
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230604/4b012f2f1a63e51579dc412c1788983e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230604/51c606df13ccd0146ce9426eeb24baf4.jpg
https://youtu.be/r5S4B1C08J0
Ammo is pretty cheap so probably gonna get a case of PPU SP to start but I think this will end up being a cast gun and possibly his first steps into reloading....think the kid is tying to corner me to get him his own reloading set up [emoji1751][emoji23]... So for those who cast for 8mm Mauser what molds are y'all using? Would prefer either NOE or a MP mold honestly but just wanna here what everyone uses

https://youtu.be/r5S4B1C08J0
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[FredBuddy]

The Lee 175 gr works great in mine.

I also use a NOE 135 plain base (for 32 Special)
and powdercoated up to .323.

Original sights are hard to use but
I'm not sure I want to scope it.

Watch out for corrosive surplus ammo.

[TD1886]

The 8x57 is one of the better cast bullet calibers out there. I shoot the LEE 175 grain and for a heavy weight I shoot the Lyman 323471. Both really good bullets especially the Lyman 323471. NOE makes a very good copy of the Lyman 323471.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I also use the Lee mold. The rifle appears to be a Spanish M-48 made by La Carouna.

DG

[waksupi]

They shoot heavy cast great. Too many want to change the chambering, but as has been mentioned, it is one of the best cast boolit cartridges.

[TD1886]

They shoot heavy cast great. Too many want to change the chambering, but as has been mentioned, it is one of the best cast boolit cartridges.

Thumbs up Ric!!

[Kraschenbirn]

+1 on the 175 grain Lee. It's hard to go wrong snagging an M98 variant with a decent bore. I have four 8mms...Turk, FN, Yugo, Polish...and they all shoot well with that boolit.

Bill

[405grain]

My favorite cast bullet for the 8x57 is the SAECO #081. In my (very humble) opinion, this is the perfect cast bullet for that caliber. That rifle still has the heavy two stage military trigger. This rifle has already been fitted with a low scope safety, has scope mounts, and had a new bolt handle welded on. That's good to go for putting on a scope. Even though Timney makes an aftermarket trigger for the M98 Mauser, try the gun out with the existing trigger first to see how you like the rifle. A Timney trigger (or one of the discontinued Bold triggers) will greatly enhance the trigger pull on these rifles, but there's a caveat: Sometimes (but not always) switching to an aftermarket trigger can have the sear holding the cocking piece just a tiny bit forward of where the factory trigger does. When that happens you'll need to do some gunsmithing on the camming ramp on the safety, or on the top of the face on the cocking piece, to get the safety working properly.

Get the gun, shoot it & enjoy it. Then, if you decide that you don't like the factory trigger you can replace it. 90% chance that the replacement trigger is plug and play. Get the range time and see how she shoots, then decide what, if any, modifications you might want to do. Also, FYI: back in 1888 when the 8x57 was introduced it shot a .318" diameter round nosed bullet that weighed over 200 grains. In 1905 Germany introduced the lighter high velocity "spitzer" bullet, and the bore diameter was changed to .323". American ammunition manufacturers were worried that someone might try shooting a modern .323 cartridge in an antique with a .318" bore, so they downloaded the 8x57 for use in the United States. Factory ammo in 8x57 that's made in America is only loaded to the power level of a 30-30 Winchester. European ammo is more like a 30-06 in power. Your rifle should be able to handle those European level loads.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Also, FYI: back in 1888 when the 8x57 was introduced it shot a .318" diameter round nosed bullet that weighed over 200 grains. In 1905 Germany introduced the lighter high velocity "spitzer" bullet, and the bore diameter was changed to .323". American ammunition manufacturers were worried that someone might try shooting a modern .323 cartridge in an antique with a .318" bore, so they downloaded the 8x57 for use in the United States. Factory ammo in 8x57 that's made in America is only loaded to the power level of a 30-30 Winchester. European ammo is more like a 30-06 in power. Your rifle should be able to handle those European level loads.

That is exactly my understanding of the situation. Also, for many years Remington loaded their 8x57mm with bullets of .321" diameter, as being the happy compromise between .318" and .323". Lots of years ago now (maybe 30?) I was working up my 8x57mm loads and phoned Remington to ask them about it, and to find out what the pressure levels and bullet diameter was that they currently loaded. I talked with a lady who actually got a bit huffy with me and said that they don't discuss their loads, past or present! So, finding no help there, I cast them .323" for the '98s and sized them .321" for the Gew 88s. Used the same Lee mold with good results for both.

DG

[jimb16]

I'm another Lee 175 gr caster. I polycoat too. Both of my 8mm Mausers seem to like that bullet.

[35 Rem]

I've got two 8x57 rifles and so far they have been far beyond frustrating to load for using any bullet. I got both the Lee custom bullets designed for military Mauser chambers and they shoot horrible in my rifles. In the sporterized surplus gun they won't even hit a 2foot x 3foot box at 50 feet. EVER. I've almost held my hand over the muzzle when shooting to see if anything was even coming out. :) But the bore on that gun is pretty bad so once I did slug it and found loose spots I wasn't surprised. It shoots Speer 170 grain jacketed halfway decently. The other 8x57 rifle is one of the Model 98's sold by Remington for a while - or more accurately it is the same gun with the real manufacturers name on it - darned if I can think of it at the moment. I've used both the Lee bullets in it, along with a NOE design intended for 8x57 AND the RCBS 170 grain intended for the 32 Special(which my mold casts at .323 so it SHOULD work). That stinking rifle slings bullets all over the place once it gets a bit warm. I glass bedded it thinking that might be the problem but it makes no difference. As a result of all this I've sort of developed a phobia towards 8x57's for the time being and stopped bothering with them. That is a shame because I really want to deer hunt with one.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

My 8x57 is a Portugese Verago with as pristine barrel. These rifles were re-bored from 6.5mm by DWM using the 'cut rifling' method and lend themselves to shooting cast boolits. I load the Saeco 192gn boolit sized to 0.225" gas checked and powder coated.

This rifle would be the easiest I have tuned for accuracy.

[jonp]

Guess I'll agree with the others. I use the 175gr Lee in my Yugo too. I haven't tried anything heavier as it would most likely do what I want with the lighter boolit.

[cwlongshot]

I have a couple and also have the Lyman 323471 mold. But havent shot them yet. I have a couple ladders loaded with a couple powders.

Just sub'ed ya too!

CW

[pworley1]

The Lyman 323470 is one that works for me.

[armoredman]

@LAGS
It's fun caliber to shoot cast in.

[kungfustyle]

GREAT GUN!!!! Do yourself a favor and get a form and trim die from RCBS. It will help you turn 30-06/270win brass into 8mm Mauser. Next get a jig on etsey or ebay and a Harbor Freight chop saw. With a small investment you'll fly through the converting brass in no time. I have the Lee 185g mold the mp https://www.mp-molds.com/bullet-casting-equipment/?pa_caliber=326 get this now, it's on sale and a great hunting bullet. If you want the Lyman 323470 mold let me know, I have one that I'll part with. It shoots great, I just wanted the MP mold.

[Texas by God]

Try the Lee 175 first and you may not need anything else.
My first 8x57 was a sporterized 1917 Danzig 98 Mauser with double set triggers and a claw mount Gerard scope. I was hooked. The next one was a BRNO K98 that ER Shaw rebarreled to 8x57. This one took many whitetails, a couple of mule deer, and two elk for myself and two of my brothers.
My current one is a Polish Mauser. Issue sights only for now.
That one looks ready to go- put a decent scope on it and see what’s what.
PPU is your friend for brass and jacketed bullets for the 8mm.


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[waksupi]

I've got two 8x57 rifles and so far they have been far beyond frustrating to load for using any bullet. I got both the Lee custom bullets designed for military Mauser chambers and they shoot horrible in my rifles. In the sporterized surplus gun they won't even hit a 2foot x 3foot box at 50 feet. EVER. I've almost held my hand over the muzzle when shooting to see if anything was even coming out. :) But the bore on that gun is pretty bad so once I did slug it and found loose spots I wasn't surprised. It shoots Speer 170 grain jacketed halfway decently. The other 8x57 rifle is one of the Model 98's sold by Remington for a while - or more accurately it is the same gun with the real manufacturers name on it - darned if I can think of it at the moment. I've used both the Lee bullets in it, along with a NOE design intended for 8x57 AND the RCBS 170 grain intended for the 32 Special(which my mold casts at .323 so it SHOULD work). That stinking rifle slings bullets all over the place once it gets a bit warm. I glass bedded it thinking that might be the problem but it makes no difference. As a result of all this I've sort of developed a phobia towards 8x57's for the time being and stopped bothering with them. That is a shame because I really want to deer hunt with one.

Don't rule out operator error! Ask someone else to try it from the bench.

[farmerjim]

I have one that my father picked up on Omaha beach. It shoots fine with my 57 year old Lyman RN 4 banger. Can't remember the weight but about 170 gr. Original open sights will put 6 in a 6 inch circle at 100 yds.

[Larry Gibson]

Wolfdog91

$330 for that M98 is an excellent price given it's already D&T'd, bolt hand forged or replaced and a scope safety installed. BTW, the rear Weaver base is not the correct one for a military M98. It's probably the one for an FN or other commercial action w/o the stripper clip guides. It can be easily modified to fit level by grinding or filing so it clears the stripper clip guide.

The 8x57 is an excellent cartridge, as mentioned, for cast bullets. I favor the Lyman 323471 for best accuracy and long range work as it has one of the best BCs for a cast bullet. The long Loverin design also fits the long throats of most milsurp barrels. The Lyman 323470 is also an excellent choice. I have a 195 gr GB Lee 6 cavity mould and a 150 gr PB bullet that also are excellent performers. Most milsurp 8x57 M98s with very good to excellent bores have grooves that are .005"+ deep which is excellent for cast bullets.

The 8x57 is also an excellent jacketed bullet cartridge when loaded to its European CIP potential as also mentioned. Loaing to that potential puts it on par with the 308W, 30-06 or similar cartridges.

[Mk42gunner]

I'd shoot it as is before changing anything, except for mounting a scope. As mentioned the hard (expensive) parts of making it a sporter are already done.

Also don't be too quick to get rid of the two stage trigger they can be smoothed up considerably, if needed.

Robert

[bedbugbilly]

In my 1907 GEW98 8mm, the Lee mold, the Lyman/Ideal 323-470 and the NOE .326 135 grain - plain base and gas check all work really well. The NOE was a special run at the time, but I think Al has it in his line up now - mine drop around .325 or a tad more and I size them to .325 and they chamber in my rifle. My bore is .323 on the nose and with .323 lead boolits, I've never had a leading issue, but I'm not pushing them hard either.. I strictly plink and punch paper with mine and all of the ones I list shoot very well TL in Alox/paste wax over about 8 grains of Red Dot - with and without gas checks. I also have a RCBS mold for the 8mm Nambu - IIRC, it drops right at .323 and around 120 grains + or -. It makes a great light plinking round over Red Dot.

That rifle should be a great shooter with cast and a lot of fun!

[MostlyLeverGuns]

The 8x57 is one of those I just like, as good or better than the 30-06 on game. I have the RCBS 8mm-170 and the Lee C324-175. Both NOE and Accurate list good looking designs for 8mm. For 'popgun' loading, a .323 or .324 plain base 'cowboy' bullet would work, but keep the 'cowboy' bullets slow. I like the 180-210 grain bullets in the 8x57. Twist is usually 1-9.5 so trying to go to fast can cause accuracy problems, but the 8x57 usually has very deep rifling grooves and is forgiving in other ways. I have taken elk with mine, it is very capable. Matt's Bullets has a .323-185 Gas check I have used, like the RCBS 8mm-180 Flatnose Gas Check, a quality bullet. For elk I use the 200 grain Nosler Partition.

[gwpercle]

SWEET !

I like It ... reminds me of my first "deer rifle" and the first rifle of just about every male kid I went to High School with ... At the local Steinberge's Army-Navy surplus and outdoors sporting goods store they had them standing up in barrels $30 each for the battle used 98 Mausers . The unissued 1903-A3 Springfield 30-06 went for the unheard of $60 ... I scrimpt and saved and begged some money from my Dad and got one , never issued still in the cosmoline !
Those days are gone but the deal you made in todays dollars was great buy !
It should be a good cast boolit shooter too .
Gary