M48 8x57 powder recommendations.

william1

william1

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Hello.
I just started getting back into reloading.
I have a M48 8x57.
I was using IMR 4350 but I could not find any where I live.
The local Sporting Goods store recommended Vihtavuori N140.
I was leaning towards varget.
Any thoughts...
 
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Which bullets are you using? Up to 180 grain, the Varget/4895/VV N140 will be good, but with heavier bullets a slower powder is better.

I really like VV N150 or N550 in my 8x57 with 196/198/200 grain bullets. W760 has also proven to be good.

Regards, Dave.
 
I also have good results with the suplus WC-735 with 125/150/170gr which is very close to H335 in burn rate.
 
Thanks for thereply.
I have Sierra 170 grain.
Thanks.

Eagleye said:
Which bullets are you using? Up to 180 grain, the Varget/4895/VV N140 will be good, but with heavier bullets a slower powder is better.

I really like VV N150 or N550 in my 8x57 with 196/198/200 grain bullets. W760 has also proven to be good.

Regards, Dave.
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If you can find it, IMR 3031 or IMR 4064 are great for the 8x57. The bore diameter of the 8mm requires a faster powder than some of those mentioned above unless you are using heavier bullets. This is just IMHO of course. The replies above are all made by very knowledgeable people. I have even used BLC2 with good success in the 8x57. It is a very versatile cartridge and far more capable than many give it credit for. Just like the 30-06 it is or was one of the top ranking cartridges in the world at one time depending on when and where you happened to be.

My only issue with VV powders is that they are hit and miss as far as availability goes. Usually when you need it finding it is near impossible.
 
I use 4895 for 30-06 and 8mm. My rifles and I like it because it gives decent accuracy and can be easily "downloaded" for practise and target loads. It works well for me from 130gr. TTX to Prvi 196gr.
 
IMR 4064 would burn even a bit slower than 4895 (according to the manufacturer). I may give that a try to round out the load if i can find it.

4831 seems to be the "cats miau" for low pressure, fast 6.5x55. Again that is manufacturer data!
 
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I've shot quite a bit of 7.92x57 through a few rifles .150 gr projectiles seem to shine with Imr 4895,170 grn projectiles prefer imr 4064 while 200 gainers will do good with varget or imr 4350.re 15 also works realy well I found it to be a little to dirty.these results have been consistent through 8 plus rifles.
 
When working up loads with 220 grain Sierra's, I found IMR 4064 gave me very good results.

I tried IMR 4895, but saw pressure signs well below my target velocity I was trying to achieve...
 
Another vote for N140. I used to use Varget but supply was sketchy and the price went through the roof here, also there seemed to be quite a difference on mv's between batches.
 
Rossco12 said:
IMR 4320 is my favourite powder for the 8x57. 48.5 grains of it behind a 170gr spitzer performs beautifully through my Mauser 98 sporterized.
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While all the powders with burning speeds in the middle ( 4895, 4064, RL 15 etc) work very well, I have found that 4320 is the best with bullets from 150 through 190 gr. With 200 gr bullets I would opt for IMR 4350 or W 760.
 
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