8MM Mauser Target Rifle

dgradinaru

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 99.8%
412   1   1
Location
British Columbia
I just bought a Mauser98 in 8mm Mauser. It has a bull barrel bought from Midway USA and a tasco varmint scope. Synthetic stock a Harris bi pod.

I will be going to the range with it and enter a target shoot out with it.
Im only vs. old men.

I have made up a load.

150Gr bullet with 55Gr of IMR 4350 @2800FT/S

196Gr bullet with 53Gr of Imr 4350@ 2650FT/S

Do you guys think a 8MM Mauser will be a good target rifle to use?

I will up load pics of the rifle asap.
 
More of a hunting rifle as I don't believe there are many match type bullets available, like in the .30s or 7mms or 6.5s.
 
:welcome:
I see no reason to not use it....for now. If your expectations are not set too high, you want to learn and consume knowledge, your loads are sub moa, and you are getting the shooting bug, then go for it!!

The important skills after you achieve an accurate rifle will be in massaging the wind, mirage, and the friendly conjecture of your competition.

Sure, there are much better options and components available in other rounds. The tools only aid in your abilities. So if you can achieve sub moa or better managing that round then you are well and off running. Expect that achieving one accuracy level is never enough. You will soon see why there are many others looking at less kick, more options in reloading components, more options in shooting platforms, more performance with less consumable cost, and the list goes on.

I look back at my first heavy target like gun in a 270 win placed on the venerable 1903A1Springfield. No one was looking at that old venerable cartridge until some forethought brought in some fine 135 grain SMK match bullets to play. I have seen at least one guy wildcatting 308 based acklyized rounds to fit this fantastic bullet. Bottom line, something may not be popular but still can shoot lights out in the right hands.

So prove em wrong when you get out there and shoot some 8mm bug holes :D

PS, I see a 200Sierra Match King out there with a 505bc which appears achieveable in this mauser cartridge.....hmmmm some one may have some forethought?????
 
Last edited:
Used to be a few 8mm target guns around. European bullets have been made for target applications in this caliber for a long time, and euro loads are generally quite a bit faster then our NA loads. I've seen some very accurate Mausers over the years. The Parker Hale sniper rifle that the Canadian (and others) military used for years was just a well set up Mauser. - dan
 
Here is a pic of the rifle. It weighs about 12pounds. And is by far the loudest 8MM i have ever shot.
IMG_9131.jpg
 
There is an excellent 8mm 200gr Sierra MatchKing which is not popular in North America, probably for historical reasons.

Alex
 
Last edited:
8mm mauser is a great round for hunting and gong shooting. I've loaded up 500 or 600 rounds of 170gr Hornady SP. My Buddy says he used to load them at 150gr, but I have not went below 170. I have no problem to shoot a hundred rounds or so in my Yugo m48. Winter gongs and wolf hunting is on the way with 8mm mauser, as soon as hunting season and Christmas is over.
 
Back
Top Bottom