8x57 Cartridge Overall Length? FN98

iroc22

iroc22

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I've been reloading 8mm Mauser for about 10 years now and never had any issues.

However I recently bought an older (pre double cut) Husqvarna FN98 in 8x57 that I wanted to work up some loads for.

I bought brand new Winchester brass and 8mm 200gr Nosler partitions for this rifle. The Nosler book specifies maximum OAL at 3.25".

However, I have loaded several rounds at 3.20" OAL and they will chamber but the bolt will not close. Bolt gets stuck and have to smack the bolt backward to pull the cartridge out of the chamber.

I have two inter war German Mauser sporters built on military actions that I load OAL at 3.20" with Woodleighs and never had an issue.

I have tried full length re-sizing the brand new brass in case the shoulder needs a bump down and still the same result - the bolt won't close. Are the throats really short on Husqvarna sporting rifles? Should I just keep seating the bullet deeper until I finally get the bolt to close? What is everyone else loading 8x57 setting their OAL to?

To answer the obvious question as well, it says "Kal 8mm" on the barrel so should be an 8x57mm.

Thanks
 
I have a Husqvarna 1640 series 8x57 that has a very short leade
If the brass is .008" over length, I cannot close the bolt.

This rifle is wonderfully accurate, but requires the brass be trimmed
properly, or the bolt will not close. I trim to 2.230"

I load the 180 Ballistic Tip to 3.15" and the 196 Alaska to 3.008"
Dave.
 
Is it still at 3.20" when removed? If so it's not OAL that's the issue. If the leade was too short the bullet would be easily pushed deeper into the cartdrige and would easily extract (although if not fired it might pull the bullet out of the cartridge).

This sounds like a brass sizing issue. I'd look at the brass being not sized enough or needing trimming - as suggested. Or..

I don't know the history of the gun, but if it was rebarreled and the chamber was not cut deeply enough then it will need to be correctly chambered. Headspace gauges and/or a chamber cast will inform you in that regard.
 
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If the bolt sticks during extraction, the case is likely binding around the base (taper lock). Time for the magic marker test....
Try some other brass, or you may need a small base die to compensate for the tight chamber.
 
Andy said:
Is it still at 3.20" when removed? If so it's not OAL that's the issue. If the leade was too short the bullet would be easily pushed deeper into the cartdrige and would easily extract (although if not fired it might pull the bullet out of the cartridge).

This sounds like a brass sizing issue. I'd look at the brass being not sized enough or needing trimming - as suggested. Or..

I don't know the history of the gun, but if it was rebarreled and the chamber was not cut deeply enough then it will need to be correctly chambered. Headspace gauges and/or a chamber cast will inform you in that regard.
Click to expand...

When finally extracted the bullet is pulled out longer than 3.20 OAL and one time the bullet pulled out of the case during extraction.

I did full length re size the brass once and same result. It's new brass so I was hoping not to FL size it at all.

I also don't know the history of the gun, but it does have the original "Vaffenfabrik Husqvarna Kal 8mm" on the top of the barrel I have on my other Husqvarna rifles so I assumed original barrel. I may have to resort to casting the chamber to see what the actual dimensions really are.

cosmic said:
If the bolt sticks during extraction, the case is likely binding around the base (taper lock). Time for the magic marker test....
Try some other brass, or you may need a small base die to compensate for the tight chamber.
Click to expand...

I think I have some spare once fired Remington brass I can try next. Winchester brass dimensions looked okay but maybe it's just slightly off.
 
pulling the projie out of case on return meaning its gettin jammed into the rifling id have thought??
definatley dummy round it with a projie well in the case... or do the slide projie test,chambr it an see where it stays, it will tell you the throat ya got.. or room to play with
 
WhelanLad said:
pulling the projie out of case on return meaning its gettin jammed into the rifling id have thought??
definatley dummy round it with a projie well in the case... or do the slide projie test,chambr it an see where it stays, it will tell you the throat ya got.. or room to play with
Click to expand...

This^. Bullet is engaging the rifling. You need to seat the bullet deeper until that stops happening.
 
I wish the book did not show a OAL. Each rifle is different.

It is determined by MAG length and the chamber throat. Your bullets need to be seated deeper.

My rifles require 2.85" and 2.95"

Good news is that it probably means the barrel is not shot out.
 
Do two things and report back please:

1. try to chamber a fully sized empty cartridge with no bullet. Does it chamber and extract easily or not?; and then
2. try to chamber the same fully sized empty cartridge with no powder or primer, but with the bullet you are using seated at 3.200". What is its OAL after extraction?

A bullet with powder beneath it that is seated long and seated deeper when chambered will tend to be forced into the rifling by the holding force of the powder which if the case is near full, could be compressed a fair bit. Without powder, it is much less likely to be pulled out on extraction and will show the OAL to the rifling (Max OAL) of that bullet - I've done this many times.
 
Andy said:
Do two things and report back please:

1. try to chamber a fully sized empty cartridge with no bullet. Does it chamber and extract easily or not?; and then
2. try to chamber the same fully sized empty cartridge with no powder or primer, but with the bullet you are using seated at 3.200". What is its OAL after extraction?

A bullet with powder beneath it that is seated long and seated deeper when chambered will tend to be forced into the rifling by the holding force of the powder which if the case is near full, could be compressed a fair bit. Without powder, it is much less likely to be pulled out on extraction and will show the OAL to the rifling (Max OAL) of that bullet - I've done this many times.
Click to expand...

1. Yes, it chambered and extracted easily
2. Did this, with no powder or primer and it pushed it in to 3.05" - live rounds are working at this OAL in the rifle.

Kind of a silly problem I probably should have been able to figure out myself, but I appreciate all the help, advice and tips from everyone in this thread. Thanks again.
 
iroc22 said:
1. Yes, it chambered and extracted easily
2. Did this, with no powder or primer and it pushed it in to 3.05" - live rounds are working at this OAL in the rifle.

Kind of a silly problem I probably should have been able to figure out myself, but I appreciate all the help, advice and tips from everyone in this thread. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

This is easily remedied if you want. You could gain a fair bit of case capacity in doing so. Meanwhile your loads need to stay on the "Starting Load" side with that bullet.

Using your bullet of choice, and max mag length as guides, employ a throating reamer to extend the throat accordingly. Once done, it might require some guide ramp work. In my mauser sporters I've been able to modify the mag box to accomodate an OAL as long as 3.35", but your gun might not have that as an option.
 
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