VZ 24 8mm Mauser

[4296]

Just got a VZ 24-arsenal refinished with a very good bore. I would like to shoot reduced load cast boolit loads and would like to here of others experiences. I do shoot cast out of a SMLE 303, so I do have some experience. I would like to use the Lee push through sizer but see it is only avalible in .323. Can I increase the size of the die? I was thinking .324 or .325. Thanks!

[dualsport]

Do a search on the 8mm, 8x57, or your gun. Lots of info available. Depending on your mold you may not need to size at all. Also see 8mm GB molds.

[BABore]

I've got both the 8mm silhoutte and 327-180 FN available for the militaries. The silhoutte boolit is listed on my website. The 180 FN has yet to get on the list, but there is a post on it in the Vendor forum.

Both are outstanding boolits in the 8mm over Unique powder.

[damron g]

i shoot the old lyman 323378 and 323471 heavyweights with 16-17 of 2400 @1450 with good results.Neither bullet casts over .324 with 2/3ww/ 1/3 lino mix,but doesnt seem to cause any problems.I have shot the loads in a Yugo,Brno,Turk 98 and "Danzig" German sporter and all shoot in the 2"range for 5 shots range at 100 with their open sights.Sometimes i get a screamer 1" group,but more often its 4 tight one out a bit into 2".The lyman 321475 135 GC is also a good one if you come upon it as well.

For a fun load try the RCBS 310 Cadet bullet.Load it in a sized unexpanded case. Then use a Lee factory crimp die to crimp the crimp the heel.Load about 6 of Bullseye (or anything in that range red dot etc..) and you have 1250 fps and a good squirell load that is about 3 MOA accuracy to 100.If zeroed at 50 it drops 40" at 200 yds and holds about 8" groups.A cheap ring the 200m gong load.

George

[TCLouis]

4296

What powders do you plan to use/have available?

I use .325" boolits in mine, but then I have a .325" sizer, though I will be the first to admit that I have never mic'ed one.

One could always try the as cast and then the .323" and open it up to 325 if need be.

[4296]

I have 4198, 4895 and pistol powders. My main concern is bullet molds and sizing diameters.

[Multigunner]

I have 4198, 4895 and pistol powders. My main concern is bullet molds and sizing diameters.

I've used 4198 for a 8mm Persian Carbine many years ago, using J word bullets and fairly light charges for lighter recoil and more importantly reduction of muzzle blast from the carbine's short barrel.

Groups were very tight, much better than I'd expected from that carbine with issue sights.

The load I was using gave a bit more velocity than you'd want for a lead bullet, but a lower velocity load would probably still give good accuracy, and reduced muzzle blast since the powder burns fast enough that little is wasted especially in a longer tube.

[dromia]

You need to slug your bore/throat to know what size you need.

With a bit of luck you won't have to size at all, for low velocity a quick tumble in thinned Xlox and away you go.

Light 32 calibre boolits do well, the suggestions on the .310 Cadet heeled boolit are good. I use that boolit too with good results using 4 - 6 gns fast pistol powder. I use Viht N310.