loading data for 8mm mauser .318 JR

[pilgrim]

Please direct me to info. on hand loads for 8mm jr .318''. I am a computer moron, please be very specific in your instruction. Thank you for your time and consideration, Pilgrim

[Diz]

pilgram,

A couple of questions first. Do you already hand load and are familiar with the process? Are you sure it's .318"? Is it an 8 x 57 JR? These bullets are not the easiest to come by but you can find them. Last, I may get into trouble with this but I would stay away from most all the reloading boards as the data can be sketchy sometimes. I would go to Hogdgon Powder's site and find the reloading section. It is very easy to follow and has reliable data.

No morons here and there are guys here that know this inside and out. Also, "Cheaper than Dirt" has Sellier & Bellot ammo in 8 x 57 JR (and JRS) for just over 20 bucks a box.

Thanks, Diz

[Diz]

pilgram,

I hope you didn't misunderstand me about no morons here. That includes you.

Thanks, Diz

[Kiwi_bloke]

If it's 8x57JR then Hodgdon data is going to be too hot. The smaller diameter .318" bullet and the rimmed round were loaded to lower pressures. In fact, loaded right, the spent cases typically fall out when the gun is broken open and held upright. S&B make .318" bullets that I have found to be as good as any to reload. But the advice above is sound, find out what you have for certain, for instance, by Cerosafe and don't assume. Shooting larger .323" bullets in the smaller bore is very unwise. My apologies if this is already well known to you.

[mike ford]

pilgrim,
The 8x57IR ammo was, indeed, loaded with .318" bullets, but the groove diameter of many rifles was larger than this. The neck/throat area in some 8x57IR is also larger than indicated for .318" bullets. Some rifles are able to safely use bullets larger than .318", very often .320-.321" 32 Winchester Special bullets can be used. The barrel should be "slugged" to accurately determine the actual groove diameter. Since the caliber has already been determined, a chambercast shouldn't be required. As Diz has noted, you can buy ammo at a good price. This ammo is now primed with American size Boxer primers, and the cases are perfectly adequate for reloading. I suggest you buy a quantity of this ammo, sufficient to provide all the cases you will need for handloading. When you fire one of these cartridges, whichever diameter bullet will easily fit into the unsized case will be useable for loading for that particular rifle. I load larger than .318" bullets in several of my own rifles, with perfect satisfaction. I just use common 8mm Mauser loading dies(Lyman) for all my 8mms by removing the expander button, or replacing it with a smaller one. Of course they must still be adjusted to fit the chamber, to prevent shoulder setback. The common loading dies will be much cheaper than special 8x57IR dies, and only a different shell holder will be required. If you use medium burning powder( 4895,3031,4320,etc) to an appropriate velocity, you should be OK. You should load to approximate factory velocity and not try to make an 8x60R Magnum Bombe out of it.
Mike

[Büchsemann]

Pilgrim,

You have been given sound advice. Do you have any prior reloading experience? If you do not please go on the Internet and locate a set of general rules for reloading from any well-known authority such as Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Lee, Lyman, RCBS etc. All generally start with cautionary notes and tell you that making a mistake can result in physical injury. Definitely make sure that you focus on what you’re doing and shut out any possible distractions.

As Diz mentions Hodgdon’s site is a good place to start for load data and if you have questions their tech experts are easy to contact. All will suggest starting on the low end of the charges specified. If you find your groove diameter to be .318”/.319” Woodleigh and Hawk also make a variety of .318” bullets … many others as well:

Woodleigh - Huntingtons

http://www.huntingtons.com/store/pro...cat=408&page=1

Woodleigh - Midway USA - Page 6 (200 gr .318")

http://www.midwayusa.com/s?sortby=1&...9&pageNumber=6

Hawk

http://www.hawkbullets.com/Pricelist.htm

I try to be very kind to my firearms so I strive to get the best performance out of a bullet while keeping the pressures as low as possible. As a special note there is quite a difference in pressures between primers within the LR (large rifle) category, I have settled on CCI LR’s for my combination guns with great success.

Things get a little more complicated when reloading to regulate double rifles so I have to ask, are you going to be reloading for a single barreled gun or a DR? If you are reloading for a single barreled rifle what are you wanting to achieve? I ask this as if you’re going to be using a scope you can adjust your elevation for just about anything you plan on launching out of your barrel but if you plan on using iron sights and do not wish to modify the heights of your sights (front or back) you’ll want to find a match to whatever the gun had been shooting making velocities and bullet weights more critical.

Bullet construction is another matter. Punching holes in paper is one thing and a bullet that performs well on game is another. As it is the available Sellier & Bellot, Woodleigh and Hawk are all hunting bullets and do the job well but I seem to favor Hawk. Hawk bullets are known to be softer than the others, again kind to the rifle (rifling), and Hawk takes special orders which is really nice when dialing in double rifles. For example Hawk makes .318” 180 gr and 220 gr soft points as standard issue but I’ve had them make .318” 170 grain bullets for a particular DR, 140 gr soft points for my .280 Ross DR, when 160 gr is standard, and many others for other double rifles. Just say’n.

There are many other GGCA members that are avid “reloaders”, Mike Ford for one has a great deal of experience to include having found many clever solutions to forming cases for seemingly every cartridge configuration.

Let us know what you’re wanting to achieve and if you have any prior reloading experience. Such will help us in knowing what else to add to this conversation.

Regards,

Mark

[pilgrim]

Thank you one and all!! So refreshing to be able to communicate with such knowledgeable and sincere sportsman.I have hand loaded for 40+ years but only standard american rifle cart. I am new to reloading foreign and obsolete cart. I have chamber cast and swaged my Nimrod drilling and am confident that it is .318jr. I have S&B factory loads and empty brass.I under stand that pressure should be kept at37000psi and below. I would like to make some 170g ,180g loads I have 32winsp and Hawk bullets I will regulate at 100yds. And have all the powders listed and many more. Best regards,Pilrrim

[sharps4590]

Careful there pilgrim. Working with those "old and obscure" cartridges is about as addictive as heroin....

Is your drilling perchance a Thieme & Schlegelmilch? I believe "Nimrod" was their trademark. I have one in 16 X 16 over 9.3 X 75R Nimrod. Fine piece.

[mike ford]

pilgrim,
You might also check Buffalo Arms, they have several .318" bullets, some of the weights you mentioned, in stock.
Mike

[Büchsemann]

Pilgrim,

With all that time on the bench your 8X57JR project should be a breeze.

Heck forgot about Buffalo, they're where I picked up my 170's a couple years ago.

Let us know how it goes.

Mark

[Peter K]

A very interesting and informative thread. Pilgrim, I think we should have some pictures of your gun as well as range reports as they come in. Thank you for posting.
Peter

[Nathaniel Myers]

Pilgrim,

All sound advice. Something I wound up doing for my 8mm Mauser that is .318, was purchasing Prvi Partizan, dropping the .323 bullet out, neck sizing, reloading with a Woodleigh bullet. I wanted a cheap, quick check as to accuracy as the bore is dark and pitted. No sense reboring if it's accurate. Turned out, it isn't.