dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
Lately I've been getting ready for spring bear, and thought that this year I want to use my 8MM mauser, being last year I used my 7x64 with 175gr at a decent velocity of 2700 fps on a successful hunt. Since I'm a 8MM fan, I have almost every type of 8mm bullet available on the market and having used most of them on game, I decided I either wanted to use the 170gr Speer Semi-Spitzer or 170gr hornady SST that haven't proven themselves to me quite yet.
So I went to work on my loading bench, looking through my loads I have used in the past and a few new loads from loading manuals. I tried 49.5gr of IMR of 4064 with the 170 speer going 2580 fps in my Husky with a 23.6 inch barrel. Accuracy was fine off the quad seat and with a 4X Weaver scope but velocity was on the low end. I then looked in a older Hornady manual that showed the 170gr at 2800fps. Knowing my rifle being capable of taking very hotloads, I decided to give it a try. Accuracy was good, ( like I mentioned earlier, resting on the quad seat and with a 4X Power weaver). I'm sure if I put my self on the bench fully rested the accuracy will improve drastically.
I tired the loads over my Chrony and got a velocity of 2791 fps, pretty close to the book, right? Bolt lift was good and there was no signs of significant pressure. This load will be great bear medicine, and will try to harvest a nice meat bear this year. If I do happen to cross paths with a nice bear, I will post pictures of the hunt. Looking forward on a good year of hunting.
Like I mentioned the 8MM Mauser Ain't no slouch and is the equivalent of the 308 Win/ 30-06 in power.
Feel free to post experiences and pictures with your 8MM.
Happy Shooting!
Here are some picture of my results of using the time proven 8MM.
Spring bear taken with 180gr Ballistic tip @ 2740 fps at 225 yards.
Cougar taken with 195 Gr Hornady INT @ 2350 fps at 50 yards
Mule 4X Buck taken with 180 GMX @ 2700 fps at 165 yards
Whitetail buck taken with 200gr Speer SP @ 2540 FPS at 30 Yards. Front chest shot and bullet recovered the offside skin stuck in between a rib bone by the rear lungs .
Most of these Decent bucks were taken with my 8MM's over the years.
EDIT: Bear Down today being June 17/2017, The Lords blessing! and biggest Boar to date, from back foot to front foot 7ft on the dot, or back foot to nose 6ft 6inches. Saw him around 120 yards and disappeared, stalked in to about 80 yards and I gained sight of him again, one shot from my 8x57 ( 8MM mauser ) with 170gr @ 2790 fps is all it took. Dropped on the spot and stayed there. Bullet impacted his neck and exited. Great performance from the good ole Husqvarna 8x57!!
2Nd black bear this year. Not as big as the one from the spring, but still a good eating bear. Shot with my Sauer 100xt in 8x57 with 198gr RWS torpedo bullet @ 2600fps. Boar was on the run @ 50 yards, took the back of his head out. Bear is approx. 5-11,6ft.
So I went to work on my loading bench, looking through my loads I have used in the past and a few new loads from loading manuals. I tried 49.5gr of IMR of 4064 with the 170 speer going 2580 fps in my Husky with a 23.6 inch barrel. Accuracy was fine off the quad seat and with a 4X Weaver scope but velocity was on the low end. I then looked in a older Hornady manual that showed the 170gr at 2800fps. Knowing my rifle being capable of taking very hotloads, I decided to give it a try. Accuracy was good, ( like I mentioned earlier, resting on the quad seat and with a 4X Power weaver). I'm sure if I put my self on the bench fully rested the accuracy will improve drastically.
I tired the loads over my Chrony and got a velocity of 2791 fps, pretty close to the book, right? Bolt lift was good and there was no signs of significant pressure. This load will be great bear medicine, and will try to harvest a nice meat bear this year. If I do happen to cross paths with a nice bear, I will post pictures of the hunt. Looking forward on a good year of hunting.
Like I mentioned the 8MM Mauser Ain't no slouch and is the equivalent of the 308 Win/ 30-06 in power.
Feel free to post experiences and pictures with your 8MM.
Happy Shooting!
Here are some picture of my results of using the time proven 8MM.
Spring bear taken with 180gr Ballistic tip @ 2740 fps at 225 yards.
Cougar taken with 195 Gr Hornady INT @ 2350 fps at 50 yards
Mule 4X Buck taken with 180 GMX @ 2700 fps at 165 yards
Whitetail buck taken with 200gr Speer SP @ 2540 FPS at 30 Yards. Front chest shot and bullet recovered the offside skin stuck in between a rib bone by the rear lungs .
Most of these Decent bucks were taken with my 8MM's over the years.
EDIT: Bear Down today being June 17/2017, The Lords blessing! and biggest Boar to date, from back foot to front foot 7ft on the dot, or back foot to nose 6ft 6inches. Saw him around 120 yards and disappeared, stalked in to about 80 yards and I gained sight of him again, one shot from my 8x57 ( 8MM mauser ) with 170gr @ 2790 fps is all it took. Dropped on the spot and stayed there. Bullet impacted his neck and exited. Great performance from the good ole Husqvarna 8x57!!
2Nd black bear this year. Not as big as the one from the spring, but still a good eating bear. Shot with my Sauer 100xt in 8x57 with 198gr RWS torpedo bullet @ 2600fps. Boar was on the run @ 50 yards, took the back of his head out. Bear is approx. 5-11,6ft.
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Biggest thing against it is the selection of bullet weights available in. 308
