Cast Bullets In 8mm Mauser

[Gunnut 45/454]

9.3X62AL
I got both of my G98-40's my Dad brought back from the war! Great shooters both! Either with J-words or cast boolits! I've since added a K98k to the mix as I love shooting these old war horses! My non serial matching G98-40 even took a nice Mulely buck a few years back! Shooting Cast lets me shoot them alot more now a days as Surplus and J word components are so hard to find! I got a box of 500 Rem Corlocks SP's when I first got these along with 250 Privi 198 gr. so when I need serious 8x57's I can load for it. Cast are the Lee 185 gr GC and the NOE 210 gc.

[Shiloh]

That Lee Karabiner is a beast that drops in the 240 grain plus range. I just got the NOE .323 191 grain mold.

What size does it (NOE) drop at, and how doe it shoot.
NOE molds seem to drop large.

Shiloh

[Eddie1971]

Right on .323 and advertised weight using range scrap.

[hemmjo]

It has been years, 45-50, since last loaded any rounds. A couple years ago, I tred to get started again, but kids moving, remodeling houses, etc, got in the way of that. Used to shoot and load a lot. Life got in the way, but I am getting started again.

Here is where I am in the process. I used reload for .221 FireBall, 22-250, and 12 ga. Since I stopped loading, I have also inherited an 8mm Mauser K98 from my grandpa. Most of my data is for powders that are difficult to get around here now. I used to use IMR 4227, 4064 and 3031. I know they are available but not stocked close to me. I was able to purchase a pound of IMR 4895 and some Trail Boss. So now I have those plus almost a full can of 3031.

I still have some jacked bullets for the small calibers. Since I got the Mauser, I have been planning to use cast bullets for it. I actually got very good at casting .45 round balls for my dads slingshot. I even have a Lee 175 gr mold for the mauser, BUT, I have not gotten that far yet. So I ordered a box of 100 cast, prelubed, 175gr to get started. All of the loading data I find is for jacketed bullets.

Where do I start working up a load for cast bullets? I know I cannot push them as hard as the other kind.

[Larry Gibson]

"So I ordered a box of 100 cast, prelubed, 175gr to get started."

Are they GC'd?

[wilecoyote]

...I have also inherited an 8mm Mauser K98 from my grandpa...
Where do I start working up a load for cast bullets? I know I cannot push them as hard as the other kind...

both 1st an 2nd reloading manuals by Richard Lee have ready redux tables about the .30-06 Spr.,
(aside a good general formula to obtain reduced loads I used for my casts loaded with Vihtavuori)_
If you're referring to .30-06 tables above, you wont'be too far from decent results in 8mm.Maus_
this was my starting point with K98k_
If interested but you don't have them, no problem to PM them to you_

[K43]

both 1st an 2nd reloading manuals by Richard Lee have ready redux tables about the .30-06 Spr.,
(aside a good general formula to obtain reduced loads I used for my casts loaded with Vihtavuori)_
If you're referring to .30-06 tables above, you wont' be too far from decent results in 8mm.Maus_
this was my starting point with K98k_
If interested but you don't have them, no problem to PM them to you_

Wilecayote, What Vihtabuori powders are you using for cast boolets?
I gave away my old Lee book to a new reloader long ago. So I would be interested in the redux you mentinoned.
Than you, D

[hemmjo]

"So I ordered a box of 100 cast, prelubed, 175gr to get started."

Are they GC'd?

They are not Gas Checked

[hemmjo]

both 1st an 2nd reloading manuals by Richard Lee have ready redux tables about the .30-06 Spr.,
(aside a good general formula to obtain reduced loads I used for my casts loaded with Vihtavuori)_
If you're referring to .30-06 tables above, you wont'be too far from decent results in 8mm.Maus_
this was my starting point with K98k_
If interested but you don't have them, no problem to PM them to you_

I would be interested in seeing those tables. Seems like there is not a wide range of powers available around locally anymore.

[racepres]

I would be interested in seeing those tables. Seems like there is not a wide range of powers available around locally anymore.

If yer shooting non checked Boolits, The Unique loads work Nice... I find BE-86 nearly Everywhere. I start out Grain for Grain Unique loads.. Chronograph from there!!

[Larry Gibson]

For the non GC'd cast bullets you'll want to keep the velocity under 1500 fps. I prefer to keep them under 1200 fps using Bullseye, Unique or Blue Dot. Bullseye being the most used powder. If you have some start at 6 gr and work up. Will require issue sights set at "4" - "6" +/- depending on whether the rifle is set for 100, 200 or 300 zero for 50 yards with the cast loads.

If the bullets have a hard wax lube you might get a bit of leading. A light coat of LLA usually prevents that leading.

[racepres]

For the non GC'd cast bullets you'll want to keep the velocity under 1500 fps. I prefer to keep them under 1200 fps using Bullseye, Unique or Blue Dot. Bullseye being the most used powder. If you have some start at 6 gr and work up. Will require issue sights set at "4" - "6" +/- depending on whether the rifle is set for 100, 200 or 300 zero for 50 yards with the cast loads.

If the bullets have a hard wax lube you might get a bit of leading. A light coat of LLA usually prevents that leading.

I too have done this...Works as Larry says!!! Surprise??

[Soundguy]

i shoot cast and gas checked 8mm mauser..accuracy is fantastic. Victom is a rough looking Turk..but has a great bore..