Marstar Swedish 8mm surplus ammo

bigplinker said:
Doing a little tweaking using your numbers to get the 218gr bullet weight by adjusting the density. I'm excited, that seems like a decent bullet. I'm tempted to delete this and buy, buy, buy:)

Yk0kzV8.png
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For comparison, the closest commercial 8mm bullet I could find (at $0.80 each plus tax and shipping) is the 220 gr Sierra #2420 which I happen to have:

cmPoeRZ.jpg


Sierra 8 MM (.323) 220 GR. SBT #2420


Dia. (inches) Weight (grains) Sectional Density Ballistic Coefficients and Velocity Ranges
0.323 220 .301 .521 @ 2500 fps and above
.524 between 2500 and 1850 fps
.512 between 1850 and 1550 fps
.495 @ 1550 fps and below
 
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Andy said:
For comparison, the closest commercial 8mm bullet I could find (at $0.80 each plus tax and shipping) is the 220 gr Sierra #2420 which I happen to have:

cmPoeRZ.jpg


Sierra 8 MM (.323) 220 GR. SBT #2420


[FONT=&]Dia. (inches)[/FONT] [FONT=&]Weight (grains)[/FONT] [FONT=&]Sectional Density[/FONT] [FONT=&]Ballistic Coefficients and Velocity Ranges[/FONT]
[FONT=&]0.323[/FONT] [FONT=&]220[/FONT] [FONT=&].301[/FONT] [FONT=&].521 @ 2500 fps and above
.524 between 2500 and 1850 fps
.512 between 1850 and 1550 fps
.495 @ 1550 fps and below[/FONT]
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And guess which one I think has the better ballistic coefficient? They might have more discrepancies, bullet to bullet, than the Sierra, which is the most important thing when it comes to long range accuracy(ie. Predictability). But then again, if they're all falling at around 218gr, they might not.
 
I'm usually optimistic that I'll only need one bullet when I'm hunting:) but for target practice, cheap feed is good. I wonder how they would hold up at around 2800-2850 fps? Anyone have the ability to do a cross section of these?
 
bigplinker said:
I'm usually optimistic that I'll only need one bullet when I'm hunting:) but for target practice, cheap feed is good. I wonder how they would hold up at around 2800-2850 fps? Anyone have the ability to do a cross section of these?
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Look at Post #12.

I've run these to 3100 fps in an 8mm Wildcat I have that's based on the 338 RUM. Held up fine.
 
bigplinker said:
Thanks Andy. 3100fps is fast, I'm sure it kicks like a mule. How's the accuracy?
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It was actually 3170 fps ahead of a full case (104.0 grs) of US869. Recoil was significant and I was only testing for MV.

The most I ever safely squeezed from an 8X63 case with the 218 gr bullet was about 2650 fps with H-414, and that was from a 28" barrel.

In the 8X57, 2500 fps would be the Max IMO with a longish barrel. The Swedish powder would top out at about 2400 fps as a Max, and it would be interesting to see what could be done with CFE223.
 
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Spent last night preparing these for testing with the chronograph later today. I've got powder loads ranging from 40-45 grns of the Swedish Powder, and aiming for somewhere around 2200fps. Will try to post some results later. :)
 
matthunt101 said:
Spent last night preparing these for testing with the chronograph later today. I've got powder loads ranging from 40-45 grns of the Swedish Powder, and aiming for somewhere around 2200fps. Will try to post some results later. :)
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Wow - we never saw anything close to this kind of engagement regarding the 8X63 the first time this hit the market.

Make sure you have a look (and post) here: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1794011-8mm-Swedish-vs-8mm-Mauser to see the great work "Volhv" has done.
 
Andy said:
Wow - we never saw anything close to this kind of engagement regarding the 8X63 the first time this hit the market.

Make sure you have a look (and post) here: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1794011-8mm-Swedish-vs-8mm-Mauser to see the great work "Volhv" has done.
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I actually read through that post prior to preparing my loads. I basically went through every thread linked in this thread for information plus did some google searching. I'm actually using 40&44grns of IMR4895 for my control so perhaps I'll post the result for those in Volhv's thread as well.
 
matthunt101 said:
I actually read through that post prior to preparing my loads. I basically went through every thread linked in this thread for information plus did some google searching. I'm actually using 40&44grns of IMR4895 for my control so perhaps I'll post the result for those in Volhv's thread as well.
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Yes please - we've seen the 8X63 Swedish powder compared to IMR-4064, so it would be nice to see it compared to IMR-4895 which is usually just a bit faster than IMR-4064.
 
Alright here's what I got out of my range trip today, with 219 grain Swedish bullets. Speeds given are the average from a standard K98. YMMV so do your own testing.
Control IMR-4895
40 grns 2055 fps
44 grns 2308 fps

Swede Flake Powder
40 grns - no result, chrono wasn't working
41 grns 1973 fps
42 grns 1991 fps
43 grns 1982 fps, not sure what happened with these as the max was only 1987 fps
44 grns 2120 fps
45 grns 2130 fps

I never noticed any signs of excess pressure even at 45 grns, no flattening of primers or anything like that. I may try out a few hotter loads if I get a chance next time out. The 45 grn results were the most consistent that I got as well, with only a 60fps spread from the max and min velocities. I had anticipated 44grns being the winning amount from the reading I'd done, however it doesn't appear that it was for me. Next time out I think I'll try some accuracy testing as well and see where that gets me.
:cheers:
 
matthunt101 said:
Alright here's what I got out of my range trip today, with 219 grain Swedish bullets. Speeds given are the average from a standard K98. YMMV so do your own testing.
Control IMR-4895
40 grns 2055 fps
44 grns 2308 fps

Swede Flake Powder
40 grns - no result, chrono wasn't working
41 grns 1973 fps
42 grns 1991 fps
43 grns 1982 fps, not sure what happened with these as the max was only 1987 fps
44 grns 2120 fps
45 grns 2130 fps

I never noticed any signs of excess pressure even at 45 grns, no flattening of primers or anything like that. I may try out a few hotter loads if I get a chance next time out. The 45 grn results were the most consistent that I got as well, with only a 60fps spread from the max and min velocities. I had anticipated 44grns being the winning amount from the reading I'd done, however it doesn't appear that it was for me. Next time out I think I'll try some accuracy testing as well and see where that gets me.
:cheers:
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What you saw with the MV's is typical of a powder that's working below its optimal pressure range. You'll see the MV's increase more consistently as you add powder.

With the Swedish powder in the 8X57, 218 gr bullet at an OAL near 3.25", as I stated earlier, I'd have no issues being in the 2350 fps range, higher with a long barrel. That said, IMO 48.0 grs would not be an excessive charge. I place the Swedish powder between IMR-4064 and H-380 in Burn Rate in this application - see my rationale below.

I did some loads here: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1173651-Some-8X57-Loads-with-a-218-gr-Bullet? about three years ago, but did not include the Swedish powder, because almost no-one had any. Here's a summary of the load data (all Max Loads IMO):

Prvi Brass
CCI200 primer
218 gr FMJ bullet (pulled from 8X63 brass)
3.250" OAL
23" barrel

1. H4895 - 45.0 grs - 2275 fps
2. IMR-4064 - 45.0 grs - 2250 fps
3. BL-C(2) - 46.0 grs - 2275 fps
4. H-380 - 50.0 grs - 2335 fps
5. H414 - 50.0 grs - 2250 fps, H-414 - 53.0 grs - 2425 fps
6. Re17 - 54.0 grs - 2500 fps
7. H4350 - 54.0 grs (full) - 2400 fps
8. Hybrid100V - 56.0 grs - 2525 fps
9. H4831SC - 57.0 grs (compressed) - 2225 fps
10. Superformance - 60.0 grs (compressed) - 2525 fps
 
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I figured as much, I'm going to do some more testing hopefully next weekend. I just figured it was better to start low and work my way up. Also 3.25 oal seems too long for my k98. I basically had to hammer the bolt closed at that length.
 
Volhv said:
It's brass. Maybe cases can be reformed and trim it in to 8x57.
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Looks like the case is a bit too large at the base to do this easily.

I gave it a try, but I was putting a lot of pressure on my press and gave up. It might work if you have a monster press, but the amount of distortion to the case might be worry some.
 
Tudenom said:
Looks like the case is a bit too large at the base to do this easily.

I gave it a try, but I was putting a lot of pressure on my press and gave up. It might work if you have a monster press, but the amount of distortion to the case might be worry some.
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I gave it a quick try also. That is correct, the case is too wide, and it would be the same with trying to go to 30-06. A bit of an excersise in futility as you would have to fireform it to fully form the shoulder, and than you are stuck with reloading berdan casings.
 
Canada wont care if they leave only way would be for you to call ATF and homeland maybe state deprt to get an answer the us has lots of belts no shortage there
 
I cant see it being an issue as its just a cloth belt, I have a couple that are dated 1940 so a collector could see a value in obtaining belts from up here
 
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