8mm Rem Mag reloading

[BigBraz15]

Hi guys. I have a factory BDL rifle with enough hornady 220 grain loads to last me for a little bit.

Just looking to the future and what type of bullets do you use in the big 8? I haven't ever shot Barnes.. I typically shoot partitions, but someone said on another post the hit an animal and it penciled right through. I have not ever had that performance from any Nosler, but hard to say. I would typically carry it for white tail and up sized game.

I see the Hornady 195 looks like a decent price, but not sure how they hold up.

Thanks for any input.

 

[dan belisle]

220 Hornady and Sierra, 250 gr Woodleighs, and 200 gr Partitions. - dan

 

[billdick]

Mine uses everything with great accuracy except hornady gmx's. It was grouping over six inches with them. 175 grain sierra's will all touch at 100 yards.

 

[dtkb]

Same as Dan from my POV, except I don't have Woodleighs...

 

[Eagleye]

I shoot 220 Woodleighs, plus 200 and 220 grain A-Frames. out of my 8mm Rem Mag.
A 200 at 3200, and a 220 at 3060 are plenty persuasive, and all shoot sub-moa if
I do my part. Reloder 26 is your friend in the Big 8. Dave.

 

[todbartell]

When I had a 8mm I used 200gr Barnes TSX and H4831sc. Smashed a good bull elk through both shoulders at 20 yards, plucked the bullet off the hide on the far side. 99% weight retention

 

[dan belisle]

Always thought the "big 8" was the ultimate elk cartridge, used to swing back and forth between it and the 340 'bee. If I had to choose, I'd likely choose the 8. - dan

 

[BigBraz15]

I reviewed my loading manuals, and they all seem quite light... 2700 with a 220 grain. Is there a better spot for newer components and powders. 3000 sounds quite a lot better than 2700 when your burning that much powder. Some of the loads I got with the rifle use 83 grains of H4831. The highest charge in the Hornady book is around 76 if I remember correctly. There is zero pressure signs at that charge, and velocity wise it would make more sense.

 

[BigBraz15]

When I had a 8mm I used 200gr Barnes TSX and H4831sc. Smashed a good bull elk through both shoulders at 20 yards, plucked the bullet off the hide on the far side. 99% weight retention

What sort of distance would you feel comfortable taking something like a white tail in the 8mm with the TSX?

 

[Eagleye]

I reviewed my loading manuals, and they all seem quite light... 2700 with a 220 grain. Is there a better spot for newer components and powders. 3000 sounds quite a lot better than 2700 when your burning that much powder. Some of the loads I got with the rifle use 83 grains of H4831. The highest charge in the Hornady book is around 76 if I remember correctly. There is zero pressure signs at that charge, and velocity wise it would make more sense.

2700 with a 220 is 300 Win Mag velocities, not 8mm mag!! I am loading 81/82 grains of Reloder 26 with the 220.
Recoil is right there, but you can learn to handle it. 84 grains with the 200 is the ticket in my big 8. Remember,
start lower and work up. D.

 

[todbartell]

What sort of distance would you feel comfortable taking something like a white tail in the 8mm with the TSX?

10' to 1/4 mile or so?

 

[BigBraz15]

Thanks for the input everyone! I love shooting this beast of a rifle.

I will track down some bullets and see what I can get it to do. Hoping to take some animals with it this year.