Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 8x57 loads

I have a few hunting rifles in 8x57, and have acquired a decent amount of reloading components (brass and bullets)....but I have found so much reasonably cheap 8x57 hunting ammo that is unlikely I will ever have to actually reload for the round!

Basically, I have absolutely nothing to add.

Thank you Jason for that tidbit. I also have nothing to add. All of y'all have a fantastic day today.

Jim

I used Barnes 160gr TTSX in mine (Mil Surp) when it was an 8mm. Velocity was around 2700 and it duplicated 30-06 performance so closely that I rebarreled it to a Roberts since I own several 30-06's.

I run a 180gr TSX with H4895 in around 62K PSI (estimate from quickload) in my Sauer 100 and CZ 557. With a 22 inch barrel i'm seeing 2780 fps and with a 24" 2800fps. 3/4-1" groups on average. Used it on black bear and big mule deer, great performance!

I look at the 30-06 and 8x57 as being pretty much the same performance.

I do load warm but i also like mild loads like the speer 170 HC at 2600 fps or 195/200gr at 2550 fps. I could push them to 2600-2650 but haven't had the need, they perform great!

180gr TSX load over the chronograph


Recovered bullet from a mule buck at 180yards.



Single TSX dropped this bear in its tracks. 80 yards



Another bear single shot dropped this bear at 175 yards.



This buck was taken with a 160gr All copper bullet at 2860 fps.

Good deal!

Also good to know, once again, that the 8x57 works about like the .30-06....

We used that bullet out of my "custom" Erfurt Mauser in Africa 2012. I don't recall the specific load but it was on the milder size with the Erfurt action. Read a lot of mixed views on loads in that action.

They are like brothers

I've used the 8x57 every season for the last 17 years. I've also thrown the 30-06 and a few others in the mix here and there. Haven't noticed any difference between those two. I use it guiding in grizzly country with confidence!

Even down loaded to mild loads I've taken moose and other big game with no issue. Choose the right bullet for intended use and place your shot well within reasonable range and you'll have a dead critter on the ground in no time.

Flintlocke,

I don’t need nor want the extra velocity with the 8mm-06.

65,000 psi seems reasonable to me. 40,000 psi is what many loads in manuals and that won’t cut it - little more than a 32 Special in power. 300 yards is the maximum, I was thinking.

I have a box of 180 grain Ballistic Tips and the loads MD shows may be one of my main loads, I think that a bullet with a lighter construction might be better on pronghorns and whitetails, IDK. I like the Gack loads, thanks MD.

I have a couple hundred 170 grain bullets (PPU’s, I think). I have no idea how they’ll perform. A fellow 24hourcampfire campfire member sent it to me and I appreciate it.

I also have some SPEER 170 grain hot core bullets. Hot core bullets usually are fairly stout, at least in my experience. SPEER bullets are reasonably priced and are usually available.

The lightest bullet I have on hand is 150 grain Interlocks - I was thinking that bullet might work well on lighter game such as whitetail etc.

Bottom line it seems that I need software tools and an expansion box. I was hoping others had worked up loads with reasonable velocities and had experience with game. I appreciate all the responses in that regard.

I have a couple molds to try, I’ll use linotype or similar hardness lead.

My 700 Classic 8mm remains unfired. That will change soon.
I have an 98 8x57 that looks like it might be a guild rifle - solid rib, set triggers, etc. I don’t have the heart to scope it. I’m thinking it will go to Tulsa in a week or two.

I`ve run most bullets out there, but have now settled on just two, 170grn SST, RL-15. RP cases and primers, 2885fps, 24 inch PAC-NOR. 700 Classic I rebarreled.

2nd is Barnes 160grn. TTSX, CFE, RP cases and primers,2950.

Safe in MY rifle.

I`m sure it`s just me, but I prefer shooting and hunting with it, than my 06.

I've run the 180gr nosler ballistic tip up to 2740fps in a 22 inch barrel and have found that my experience mirrors Muledeer's experience. That bullet is pretty stout and penetrates great. I have a few recovered from a bear and a moose and they did well considering it's a BT. You'll be happy with that bullet as an all rounder.

I have a 700 classic that o shoot the 160 TTSX. It is a more than capable combo for most anything around these parts.

Out of curiosity, how heavy are your 8x57 rigs? I ask because currently I just use 325's but on occasion am tempted to proliferate to x57 to have a light or superb carbine. So far I have resisted primarily due to need, logistics, and frequency of use.

Mine goes 6 1/2 # as shown.

My 700 Classic weighs 8.1 pounds scoped.

My Sauer 100 set up weighs just shy of 8lbs with out ammo, that's with ammo carrier and sling included.



My Husqvarna set up weighs about 8.5 lbs.



My German mauser sporter weighs 7.8lbs. Buck was shot with Speer Hotcor 170gr at 2600ish fps.



My Zastava M70 set up weighs just over 9 lbs. Buck was shot with 195gr Hornady interlock at 2550 fps.



Voere M98 9lbs. 5 shot group clustered around 1/2" with speer 170gr hotcor at 2600 fps.



Another Husqvarna 8x57 in around 7.7lbs

Mine is in a Boyd's Laminate so it isn't light.

I did however put her on a diet.

When I was young and just getting started reloading (bought my first '06 when 13yrs old), it used to really bother me that folks claimed the 8x57mm Mauser duplicates, or closely approximates, the performance of the 30-06.

Fast forward until just a few years ago and I had an opportunity to trade into a BRNO model 21 in 8x57mm Mauser. I have all the stuff to hand load for it, though I haven't done the cast lead bullet thing yet. What an awesome round. It completely behaves like a scaled up 308 Winchester. Haven't taken any game yet with it, but I had a nice big doe in the cross hairs. She had a young fawn with her, so she got a pass.

Thanks guys for the weight info. It confirms my expectation that that the two are within negligible weight differences. Ed, what is your barrel length?

Surprised not to have heard more folks liking the 200 partition. Nosler's data shows the top 200 gr 8x57 load as 2698 FPS. That's 10 FPS more than Nosler's top published 200 gr load in the 30-06.
Both sets of data developed in 24" Lilja barrels.

Wouldn't expect they tested the 8x57 at a higher pressure than the 30-06. Interesting.

Rex