Just arrived a new to me Danzig. Unfortunately several milk stool gunsmiths have had it to the workshop behind the barn. But still presentable at the range if the knowledgeable stay at least two tables away, maybe 3 if they have good eyes. I'm a one gun one load kind a guy, in my other (also having a sorted history) 8x57 I'm using 170sst Hornaday. This one I was hoping to just shoot cast, plunkers mostly, maybe,,, but a deer at moderate or bear at close range might happen too.
Cast bullets for Danzig 8x57 ?
- Thread starter MRP
- Start date
I tried some powdercoated 190gr round nose cast bullets from Prairie Projectiles in Alberta in my Yugo M-48 Mauser last year (8x57, of course). Tried everything between 1100fps-1500fps. All shot fine, no keyholing and no leading at all. I was using WW540 because I had a bunch and only wanted plinking loads, but I expect they would be good up to at least 1800fps with the appropriate powder, maybe significantly more. It was the first time I tried powdercoated bullets and they worked fantastically well.
If you want the loads, PM me and I will share what I used.
Mark
If you want the loads, PM me and I will share what I used.
Mark
OP, this is just IMHO of course, but given the location 7-15, I suspect you're a bit of a DIYer?
If so, it should be quite doable for you to cast your own with a mold that has been built for the bore diameters of your rifle.
I have a similar rifle that was purpose-built, sometime after WWI and chambered for the 8.15x46R.
If it weren't for the front sight, it would be impossible to tell if the rifle's barrel had been set back, cut down, and rebarreled.
I still retains the original military stock and Lange-style rear sight. Sadly, someone did a very nice, amateurish job engraving the receiver or it would be a great candidate for restoration.
This rifle was built for the minimalist target shooter in Europe of the period.
No press is required, just take along cases, powder, primers, and bullets and you're good for the duration. Bullets are pushed into the cases by hand, after priming and charging. The pressures are so low, case life is almost forever.
I've tried it with different powders, including black.
Slower pistol powders seem to give the best results. I just don't get to shoot it enough, even though it's a joy to shoot. Old eyes and iron sites?????????
Sorry for the diatribe, but if you're serious about hunting with this rifle, even at short ranges, seriously look at getting a mold, casting your own and powder coating the bullets.
If you decide to powder coat (my recommendation) get a flat base bullet without the gas check provision. You won't need them.
You might be lucky enough to find a standard dimension 32 cal mold online or at a gun show that will work. Remember, cast bullets usually shoot best in such rifles with a 22-27 hardness factor and are slightly oversized.
If you use a powder coat, you won't need lubrication on the bullets.
If you intend to shoot game with cast bullets, the general rule of thumb is to use heavy bullets, in your rifle 200+ grains will give good results out to a couple of hundred yards.
If so, it should be quite doable for you to cast your own with a mold that has been built for the bore diameters of your rifle.
I have a similar rifle that was purpose-built, sometime after WWI and chambered for the 8.15x46R.
If it weren't for the front sight, it would be impossible to tell if the rifle's barrel had been set back, cut down, and rebarreled.
I still retains the original military stock and Lange-style rear sight. Sadly, someone did a very nice, amateurish job engraving the receiver or it would be a great candidate for restoration.
This rifle was built for the minimalist target shooter in Europe of the period.
No press is required, just take along cases, powder, primers, and bullets and you're good for the duration. Bullets are pushed into the cases by hand, after priming and charging. The pressures are so low, case life is almost forever.
I've tried it with different powders, including black.
Slower pistol powders seem to give the best results. I just don't get to shoot it enough, even though it's a joy to shoot. Old eyes and iron sites?????????
Sorry for the diatribe, but if you're serious about hunting with this rifle, even at short ranges, seriously look at getting a mold, casting your own and powder coating the bullets.
If you decide to powder coat (my recommendation) get a flat base bullet without the gas check provision. You won't need them.
You might be lucky enough to find a standard dimension 32 cal mold online or at a gun show that will work. Remember, cast bullets usually shoot best in such rifles with a 22-27 hardness factor and are slightly oversized.
If you use a powder coat, you won't need lubrication on the bullets.
If you intend to shoot game with cast bullets, the general rule of thumb is to use heavy bullets, in your rifle 200+ grains will give good results out to a couple of hundred yards.
I have a Bruno 8x57 i shoot Lee 175 cast out of with Alliant 2400 which shoots well. I just bought a Spanish 98 which I will be trying those same loads in. Hopefully they work well.
2400 has amazing versatility, I'm all out but it's on my shopping list.
Bearhunter: I had terrible accuracy with powder coated bullets in .44 but willing to give it a try, I've just started to look but getting an idea of what I'll be looking for and have ready to play with over next winter. 190+ is what I was thinking of, slow but a fair amount of authority on arrival.
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MRP, are you sure it was the powder coating?
I've spoken to a few others, in my area about similar issues.
One fellow has a 444 Marlin, and he was not getting accuracy he would feel good hunting with.
I have a Martini chambered for the same cartridge and it shoots my cast lead, 22bhn, 245 grn, semi-wadcutter, powder-coated cast bullets very well.
I gave him ten rounds to take to the range, and my load shot well in his rifle, a very nice Classic 94 Marlin.
After that trial run, he came over with a handful of his cartridges and the powder-coated cast rounds he had put together for comparison.
His cast bullets were "smaller" than my cast bullets, after being powder-coated.
He sized his bullets after powder coating them to .429-.430, depending on whose micrometer we used. I have a 50-year-old Starret, he has a cheap Chinese Princess Auto model.
I didn't size my bullets after dropping them from the mold. They measured .432in before powder-coating and .435 after powder-coating.
That .005 thou diameter made a lot of difference in accuracy in his rifle.
Now, he powder-coats his bullets without sizing them, before or after coating. He's happy with the groups and his offhand shooting results.
His rifle shoots jacketed bullets very well.
Yup a nifty blue, but no idea where my buddy got them. In .308 and .44 the Bullet Barn was my go-to, good thing I'm well stocked on those. I've looked at a powder coating machine but to do a rifle, this could push me over the edge.
Powder-coating bullets only requires a small plastic container to mix your powder with acetone, dump your bullets into to shake around until they're uniformly covered, and a cheap toaster oven from the second-hand store that will reach the proper temperatures.
Lots of info online and on this site.
Casting the bullets is another learning curve and you can get into it reasonably cheaply. A set of molds, handles, a camp stove, and a cheap second-hand store aluminum pot. If you want to get fancy, a temperature gauge and hardness tester, dipping/pouring ladle.
You can mix your own from Linotype and Pure Lead or a wheel weight mix or purchase premixed.
With cast bullets, proper diameter sizing is mandatory for good accuracy.
When you purchase pre-cast bullets, it's often difficult to impossible to get the diameters necessary for your rifle to shoot well.
Many people get turned off cast bullets because they haven't done their homework.
Shooting solid projectiles accurately is a huge learning curve and every venue, as well as the segments within the venue, have their curves.
For instance, changing over to magnum primers from standard primers can generate just enough extra pressure to turn a poor load combination into an excellent combination.
This is just one thing that can make a difference in all venues.
That's what's so interesting about this sport, there's always something new to learn.
If you're a "one gun" person, the learning curve can be directed with laser accuracy.
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Yup a nifty blue, but no idea where my buddy got them. In .308 and .44 the Bullet Barn was my go-to, good thing I'm well stocked on those. I've looked at a powder coating machine but to do a rifle, this could push me over the edge.
Powder coating is supper easy. I use a $15 toaster oven from value village and a margarine container. A buddy made this video if you got 4 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPxq-9Rm3A
Yes, but make sure you skim the lubricant from the top of the water before taking the bullets through it, or the lube will just coat them again. We've all done it at least once.
