Yugo M48A Mauser Projectile

[saltbait]

Hey guys,

Just purchased an M48A mauser in 8x57mm. This will be my first mauser, thus my first time reloading 8mm mauser.

Any suggestions of projectiles? What has worked for you guys?

Looking to hunt with this rifle and possibly have a projectile anywheres between 150gr-190gr, but let me know what has worked for you guys.

Planning on using Prvi brass with CCI 200 primers.

Either H4895 or IMR4350.

Thanks
Ben

 

[riversrest]

Quite a few M96 and M98 type surplus rifles chambered in 7.92x57mm seem to like 196-198gr. bullets.

 

[Tex Critter]

My Czech mauser seems to like the Hornady 195gr and the Speer 170gr bullets.

 

[fiddler]

Some people have had good luck with 170gr bullets but the Yugo 1:9.4 twist likes 195 or 200gr bullets the best in my opinion. The longer the projectile the better.

 

[saltbait]

So looking at either a Speer 170gr semi-spitzer or Hornady 170gr SST.

Anyone have any experience with either of these projectiles?

 

[saltbait]

Should note that I will also be hunting with this rifle (white-tail).

 

[Riflechair]

I’ve had very very good success with IMR-4064 with projectiles between 179and 195gr.

 

[Ganderite]

Those pointy things are called "bullets".

Be aware that there are two versions of the 8mm bullet. The original size was .318" and the later, and most common (like your rifle) is .323"

The 8x57 is a very powerful round. In the 308 - 30-06 class (or more). Buy whatever soft point bullets you like (I prefer the ones around 200 gr) and start with the START load (I use 4350) and make 5 of each in 0.5 gr increments.

Test for accuracy, letting the barrel cool well between groups.

Whatever groups best will be more than enough for deer and moose.

 

[Brno8x57]

Try some Sellier and Bellot 196 gr. And wear a thick coat or stick a piece of foam between the rifle butt and your shoulder. This stuff is loaded the way the 8x57 was meant to be loaded.

 

[diopter]

My commercial Kragujevac 8x57 shot surprising well at 300m with the S&B 196Gr SPCE with a 4x Zeiss.
Rated at 726 meters per second, so 2381 fps. You will definitely know it has fired.
I used Hornady 196gr with reloads.

 

[angrysoldier]

I have some Turkish 8 mm from 1936. It's hot and accurate to shoot. Modern ammo seems tame compared to this ammo. Bullets are 198 grain.

 

[zuke]

I have some Turkish 8 mm from 1936. It's hot and accurate to shoot. Modern ammo seems tame compared to this ammo. Bullets are 198 grain.

I find the same thing. My FNM ammo is also quite stiff. As an added bonus, they both came on stripper clip's!

 

[angrysoldier]

I have some Turkish 8 mm from 1936. It's hot and accurate to shoot. Modern ammo seems tame compared to this ammo. Bullets are 154 grain

 

[freedomintheskies]

The Yugo's were shooting 175 gr. ammo during the Balkan conflict.
I have tried 198 gr PRVI handloads and they were perhaps the most accurate, followed by 170 gr Hornady and have also loaded up some 185gr cast bullets with success.
I start with the lightest published load and usually settle on the low node. Not much need to rip my shoulder off with hot loads.