8x57 Reloading advice??

[dgradinaru]

Ok I looked in my pet loads book by ken waters for the 8x57 mauser. I got this load of 53.5gr of imr 4350 @ 2393 fps and I got .08 of an inch group @ approx 100 yards. I'm happy with the accuracy but the speed is to slow. I was wanting at least 2500+ fps, I might load it up to 56 gr @ 2650-2700 fps . What are your guys thoughts. My rifle is a Czech g24t mauser 98 custom with a 23.6 inch barrel. Do you guys know of any other fast and accurate loads?

 

[dgradinaru]

Sorry forgot to say what the bullets is: 175 gr serria

 

[Baribal]

The 4350's is a bit of a slow burning to my liking with bullets lighter than 190 grains. I do prefer Varget/RL15/H380 for those lights ones.
Anyways, your best source for CIP like standard will be Hodgdon's reloading center.
For a 175 grainer, if you work up your load cautiously, should bring you up to about 56 grains of IMR4350, but depending on OAL, you may find the powder to be pretty compressed.
But again, top velocities usually are achieved by faster burning powders and BL-C(2) may be the powder you want to use.

 

[dgradinaru]

I moved up to 55.5 gr compressed load and got 1 inch group. The books says its going approx 2600fts . I'm happy with this load to , no signs of pressures. I was thinking Also to use magnum primers to get somemore velocity. What are people's thoughts on that. I have a friend that has his 7x57 mauser with a 175 gr bullet with magnum primers up to 2600 fts in his ruger #1

 

[LUTNIT]

If you want a more powerful round down range, buy a rifle that fires a more powerful cartridge.
Pushing the pressure higher and higher to get a higher muzzle velocity greatly decreases brass life, in many cases reduces accuracy, and could be dangerous if you go too high. A load that reaches max pressure in the test gun used when writing the load manual may be over pressure in your gun or not at max yet; lots of different variables to consider.

I wouldn't switch primers without working the load up again. I would be more inclined to switch powders and see if that improves anything. For my Vz.24 in 8mm I use H4895 and IMR4895. Max loads of those on the Hodgdon online database for 175gr bullets list 2650-2750fps but I have no idea what pressure would be like in your rifle. My rifle only has iron sights though so 3" @ 100yds is pretty good for me and I can do that with pretty mild loads. If I want more punch I'll use my 300WM.

 

[Eagleye]

I have an 8x57 rifle. It is a Remington 700 "Classic"

My best results come from a good load of Vihtavuori N550 behind 180 or 200 grain bullets.
The former will make 2800, the latter 2650.
These are potent hunting loads, and kill Moose and Blackies decisively.

I have no abnormal pressure signs/indicators with these loads in MY rifle.

Keep in mind that North American loadings for this one are very mild.
The Eurospec loads are much more potent and reflect the capability of the 8x57 much better.
The Europeans regard the 8x57 much as we regard the 30-06.

However, I have discovered that 8x57 brass varies considerably in capacity from one make to another.
Largest internal capacity I've found is in the older "Dominion" cases.

Regards, Eagleye.

 

[nitro-express]

I like to load 150's, they shoot well in my Huskie. I use CFE 223. They chrony at 2800 and are reasonably accurate.

The load is 56gr of CFE 223, PRVI case, CCI 250 primer, Speer HCSP bullet @ 2.890".

 

[dgradinaru]

I just switched the bullets to the 150 hornady with 45.5 gr of imr 3031 @ approx 2600-2700 fts and I got even better accuracy. .75 of an inch at approx 100yards, I'll stick to this load for my all round hunting (deer,moose bear, elk) I also use another German mauser with he 175 @ 2300-2400fts.