8x57mm Mauser Load Data for K98k - Iron Sights

[cwbuff]

I'm looking for 8x57mm Mauser load data that will work well with the original iron sights. Any suggestions on where to start with bullet weights, powder type and charges? Thanks!

[Tuna]

Bullets about the 200 gr. weight are the correct ones for the K98. WW2 factory was 198 grs. for the German military. I don't have any load data right now for newer powders and my older manuals are still packed from moving.

[Art]

You ideally want about 2,550 - 2600 fps with a 195-200 gr. boat tail spritzer which was the standard for ball ammo post 1930s. Newer American manuals tend to err on the side of caution and so rarely exceed 2500 fps at max loads. My Hornady manual requires max or near max loads to get to 2,400-2,500 fps. Older manuals tend to allow for loads that are a bit hotter.

[tmark]

I have a Lyman reloading manual. They give max, min, and accuracy loads for that calibre as well as other calibres. As a rule, I always start with moderate loads no matter what weight projectile.

Each rifle has its own personality as to what load it likes. You'll have to experiment with different loads to find out what your particular rifle wants!

[cwbuff]

Thanks.

[PhillipM]

You ideally want about 2,550 - 2600 fps with a 195-200 gr. boat tail spritzer which was the standard for ball ammo post 1930s. Newer American manuals tend to err on the side of caution and so rarely exceed 2500 fps at max loads. My Hornady manual requires max or near max loads to get to 2,400-2,500 fps. Older manuals tend to allow for loads that are a bit hotter.

I don't know what has happened to the Hornady manuals, but I've noticed reduced charges in 3006 compared to my 20 year old manual.

[barretcreek]

Newer manuals are using piezo strain gauge derived pressures and some are definitely holding at the lower end of the pressure curve.

I have a manual from the early '70 put out by some nukes from Hanford; first manual I know of using strain gauge data. They showed the pressure curve for each load and defined the optimal load as the one with the least deviation from the mean and then stated those were not always the most accurate on paper.

[Sunray]

"...what has happened to the Hornady manuals..." Nothing. Different powder lots and test equipment produce different results. Hodgdon's site data, for example, was tested using a 24" 1:9.5" barrel. Probably on a universal receiver. The original twist was 1 in 9.45" with a .318" 225 grain RN. (The 196 came in 1933.)
Kreiger Barrels uses 1 in 10" rifling. That'd make everything different, but most the velocity.

[Steve in PA]

My 1942 K98 shoots quite well with Hornady 150gr SP over IMR-4895.

Open sights, from a rest at 100 yards. There are two 5-shot groups. I was holding the tip of the front sight at the bottom of the black circle (6 o'clock hold)

[RED]

IMR 4350 isTHE powder for 8X57 and pretty much foolproof. Put as much 4350 as you can in a 8MM case and seat a 170 grain bullet. It is a compressed load but not a hot one. It shoots great in all my Mausers.

Try it, It is easy, foolproof, and butt simple.

Oops! I should have said fill the case with powder then weigh the charge. It will be below maximum and I have always wondered how you can overfill a already full case.

[cwbuff]

Thanks. I plan to do some experimentation next week.

[oliver]

If you want the heavier grain projectile, use 47 grains of IMR 4895 behind 198 grain HPBT hornady. Work your own load and start lower and move up... This one gives me sub moa groups bench or prone.