8mm Mauser reloads

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  • tlino

    I learn better hands on w
    Dec 28, 2014
    100
    Frederick
    Hey Guys,
    I have searched the site and found a lot of discussions about reloading, but not the specific information I am looking for.
    I built what I hope to be an accurate bench rifle from a 7.92X57mm1949 Spanish '98 Mauser.
    I have been having a dog of a time setting up the scope. It was shooting about 10" high at 25 yds. I worked the base so that at full down adjustment I could hit bullseye at 25 yds.
    I don't live close to a range with greater distances, so I figured I would set it up at 25 yds before going out to the long range.
    Anyway, I got it set at 25 yds and then opened a new box of ammo, and it’s now shooting six inches low! I used a few of the old box and they were back on target.

    Long story short, I am done buying commercial ammo. I need consistant ammo to dial in the scope.

    I am looking for a starting point and the limits for loads.
    Hodgdon has a chart for Varget, .323 cal 200 grain SP rounds. I would assume it would be a good starting point.

    I have some Hornady Match 196gr BTHP (boat tail)
    I have a container of Varget, and CCI #200 Long Rifle Primers.
    I have a few different types of brass. I’ll just have to test for the best.
    I can't find any specific loading data for this combination.

    Does anyone have some more specific data? Even if I have to change some factors, I would like some experienced help.


    Thanks.
     

    iH8DemLibz

    When All Else Fails.
    Apr 1, 2013
    25,396
    Libtardistan
    If you're not married to Varget, H414 is a fine large case powder. 45 to 50 grains based on a 200 grain bullet.

    And I would ditch the CCI 200s for WLR primers.
     

    frogman68

    товарищ плачевная
    Apr 7, 2013
    8,774
    At 25 yards you should be low , leave it low and go to a longer range . 6 inches might be too low but at 100 it will be a lot closer to the bullseye
     

    tlino

    I learn better hands on w
    Dec 28, 2014
    100
    Frederick
    At 25 yards you should be low , leave it low and go to a longer range . 6 inches might be too low but at 100 it will be a lot closer to the bullseye


    Right now my main concern is to get accurate and consistant ammo. Then I will try to dial in the scope.
    Thanks.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    "7.92X57mm1949 Spanish '98 Mauser"


    When I competed with a kar98k I used 200 grain BT bullets in front of H4895 which would give you cloverleafs at 200 yards shooting prone with open sights. In later years I tried Varget in my .308 Model 70 but was never happy with it.
     

    tlino

    I learn better hands on w
    Dec 28, 2014
    100
    Frederick
    Why are you concerned about point of aim needing to be point of impact at 25 yds. It has nothing to do with the consistency of your bullets. As long as your grouping is tight and they are consistently 6" low you're fine.

    Then every time you buy a new box of ammo, how do you know where to aim if you want to shoot MOA at long range? One box is 10" high, another is 6" low how do you shoot consistantly. I reload for my .308, and every time I go to the range, I shoot great groups where I aim.
     

    Major03

    Ultimate Member
    If you buy the same ammo, or reload your own using the same components and recipe, they should group consistently. They'd be consistently low, but they should be consistent.

    zeroing your sights at 25 yds will have no effect at all on how consistent your rounds are impacting relative to each other. You'll just have a 25 yd zero. Which is fine if that is what you want, but again, it has nothing to do with how consistent your ammo is.

    If your ammo isn't consistent, check that you are shooting the same weight of bullet and brand.
     

    Major03

    Ultimate Member
    If you buy the same ammo, or reload your own using the same components and recipe, they should group consistently. They'd be consistently low, but they should be consistent.

    zeroing your sights at 25 yds will have no effect at all on how consistent your rounds are impacting relative to each other. You'll just have a 25 yd zero. Which is fine if that is what you want, but again, it has nothing to do with how consistent your ammo is.

    If your ammo isn't consistent, check that you are shooting the same weight of bullet and brand.
     

    tlino

    I learn better hands on w
    Dec 28, 2014
    100
    Frederick
    If your ammo isn't consistent, check that you are shooting the same weight of bullet and brand.

    You are right about the consistent grouping being the important issue. The ammo I was using was same brand and weight, different box. It is getting very hard to get 7.92x57mm. I can’t find it anywhere around here and shipping is expensive. So I am going to reload and find a consistent combination.
     

    Major03

    Ultimate Member
    That's a big difference in point of impact, especially at 25 yds. Perhaps the powder has degraded over time? My initial reaction was that the scope base must be loose or perhaps you changed your setting on the elevation turret and forgot...but you switched to the old box and it was right back to where you started. Definitely weird.

    The good news is that with reloading, you'll likely not have to deal with this issue again.

    As an aside, I don't reload for 8MM Mauser, but I'd be curious of what your recipe ends up being. I have a K98, and wouldn't mind getting dies for it eventually.
     

    tlino

    I learn better hands on w
    Dec 28, 2014
    100
    Frederick
    As an aside, I don't reload for 8MM Mauser, but I'd be curious of what your recipe ends up being. I have a K98, and wouldn't mind getting dies for it eventually.

    My Mauser is no longer a stock military Mauser. I re-barreled it with a "bull" barrel. I did or had a lot of work done to the receiver and bolt. I'm not sure anything I come up with should be applied to an original Mauser.
     

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