What should I do? 8mm dilemma

[J Stuart]

Well Pblatzz, have you shot it yet....how did it fare ?

 

[SandRoad]

Do you already have lots of 8x63? If so, that's the way to go.

 

[Pblatzz]

Well Pblatzz, have you shot it yet....how did it fare ?

Tried to today, but there was a work party @ the range today..... I need to roll some loads up...

Any recommendations?

 

[Andy]

Just to satisfy our (and your) curiosity, take a long bullet, say a 220gr, and seat it backwards in an empty case, then seat it progressively further until the bolt will just close on it (use bolt force to seat it the final step. Measure the amount sticking out of the case and that's your freebore.

If you leave it in 8x57, just seat bullets out so that they're flush with the bottom of the neck. If that's too long for the mag, spend a few bucks to get the mag lengthened, but while you're at it open it up to 3.400" or better, so that should you rechamber, you won't have to do it again.

Lots of guns shoot very well with lots of leade and freebore. Problem is, if it doesn't shoot well, you can't necessarily blame it on that.

Me, I'd go to 8x63, but I have lots of it, otherwise I think that 8mm-06 is the ticket, as dies and reamers are cheap and available.

 

[Pblatzz]

Just to satisfy our (and your) curiosity, take a long bullet, say a 220gr, and seat it backwards in an empty case, then seat it progressively further until the bolt will just close on it (use bolt force to seat it the final step. Measure the amount sticking out of the case and that's your freebore.

If you leave it in 8x57, just seat bullets out so that they're flush with the bottom of the neck. If that's too long for the mag, spend a few bucks to get the mag lengthened, but while you're at it open it up to 3.400" or better, so that should you rechamber, you won't have to do it again.

Lots of guns shoot very well with lots of leade and freebore. Problem is, if it doesn't shoot well, you can't necessarily blame it on that.

Me, I'd go to 8x63, but I have lots of it, otherwise I think that 8mm-06 is the ticket, as dies and reamers are cheap and available.

I tried the 214's I have they too were falling out. The mag will accept the 8x63 rounds with room to spare. For that matter so will a CZ 602ZZK.

 

[Pblatzz]

Well Pblatzz, have you shot it yet....how did it fare ?

Took it to the range today, Loaded up 25 rounds with a Serria 170 gr sp bullet, with 46 gr of the flake powder from the 8x63 ammo, 47, and 48 grs.

(My experience is that this is a low pressure powder that need a quantity to get thing going)

Fired 5 rounds of S&B 196gr FMJ, hot factory load... 10 rds Serria 170 gr sp bullet, with 46 gr of the flake powder from the 8x63 ammo. 10 rds Serria 170 gr sp bullet, with 47 gr of the flake powder from the 8x63 ammo.

FMJ was approx 2-3 " @ 100 M, the 46gr flake was 2" @ 100m, and the surprise is the 47 gr was doing clover leafs @ 100m. Interesting the 48 gr did the same, but I only had 5 of those.

Hand load left, S&B middle fired, right is virgin brass.

 

[Pblatzz]

This is the way the rifle looks currently, but the scope has issues and it'll be coming off.