GEW88 Cast Boolit Loads

[Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

I recently bought the NOE 324-255 RN mould to cast for my GEW88 commission rifle. This is their version of the Lyman 324378 bullet which closely matches the original bullet shape used for the rifle. It casts a 255 gn gc bullet. Anyone have any suggestions for loads? I see Alliant 2400 is used and I will buy some but would like to try other powders as well.

[tangolima]

I did 190gr and 227gr cast bullets with imr1227, imr8208, and trailboss. All supersonic from 1275fps to 2050fps. PM if you want the load data. Reluctant to share on open forum.

-TL

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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Have you slugged the barrel?
.
The original (1888) caliber for the Gewehr 88 was called M/88 and used a .318" bullet.
In 1905, the 8mm M/88 cartridge was replaced by the 7.92×57mm Mauser using a .323" bullet.

[hpbear101]

https://archive.org/details/LymanCas.../n209/mode/2up

Page 210 of the cast bullet handbook has loads for a 214 grain cast.

[gew98]

Have you slugged the barrel?
.
The original (1888) caliber for the Gewehr 88 was called M/88 and used a .318" bullet.
In 1905, the 8mm M/88 cartridge was replaced by the 7.92×57mm Mauser using a .323" bullet.

Correction : the initial issues were .318 and they quickly had issues with bullet jacket fouling bulging and bursting barrels. They quickly went to .321" bores with the patronen 88 bullet. The .323" S patrone was adopted in 1903 . In very short order the germans modified neck of chamber in gew88's for use with S patrone. The typical german military 7,92 barrel had 2 to 3 calibers in length of throat - did a great job to ease the high pressure of the S patrone higher velocity bullet. The germans kept the .321" bore in gew88's so modified.

[Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

I did 190gr and 227gr cast bullets with imr1227, imr8208, and trailboss. All supersonic from 1275fps to 2050fps. PM if you want the load data. Reluctant to share on open forum.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Yes, I will message you. That would be great.

[Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

Does anyone here load even heavier bullets, anywhere near the 255 gn weight I am using?

[Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

Guys, I found what I was looking for. My Lyman Reloading Handbook is not old enough, I took a screen shot from a video on Youtube with load data for the heavy Lyman 324378. It has Unique, 2400 and IMR4227 powders. i guess I need to buy an older Lyman manual or two.
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[405grain]

The Lyman 4th edition Cast Bullet Handbook is very handy, and I recommend that you get a copy. I firmly believe that Lyman should publish a 5th Edition because there have been several newer cartridges that have come on the market since the 4th edition was published, but that's kinda beside the point. Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; before you go out looking to buy older versions of the Lyman reloading manuals check online first and see about downloading some pdf versions of them for free.

[Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

The Lyman 4th edition Cast Bullet Handbook is very handy, and I recommend that you get a copy. I firmly believe that Lyman should publish a 5th Edition because there have been several newer cartridges that have come on the market since the 4th edition was published, but that's kinda beside the point. Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; before you go out looking to buy older versions of the Lyman reloading manuals check online first and see about downloading some pdf versions of them for free.

I do have the 4th and 2nd edition of the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, they just don’t have the heavy 8mm bullet in it.

[Good Cheer]

Richard Hoch rebarreled mine and made the mold to suit his barrel.
It should have some really old, really long and lovely glass on it.

[Eddie1971]

Just tried a new boolit for my Gew 88. Used the NOE 326-221, powder coated, gas checked with a copper gauge check from Sage's. The load was my usual milsurp cast load of 36 grains of IMR4350 and a magnum primer. My 1891 dated Loewe was slinging 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Will be casting many more of these going forward.