8mm Thread

[.358 NM]

It was me that Varberger is mentioning, i had a idea a few years back custom drawing a 8mm based upon the 8x68s case, improving that and then using a custom 250-275 grain bullet. Economy changed and i had to move so project is on ice, as well as bulletmaker her closed its doors. The plot was to make it similar to Charles Askins 8mm-404 , and it was something to make it different way in the days world. Then Norma made .338 Norma Magnum, and it would be a basis for it also. Askins used Speer 275 grain bullets in his 8mm-404, 185 Core Lokts and similar were nothing but varmint bullets in that speed. The Speer were semi pointed it said in the descriptions i have found , but not much bullets of them around here. Still it is Woodleigh 225 bonded ones made for .325 WSM that the 8mm LRH would like much. And Nosler AB. Thinking of a 240 grain spitzer VLD i think would be a very fine one also.

 

[marshal]

We seem to have gotten cut off. The potential problem that I see is unless the .338 has a huge air cavity in the tip drawing it down may squirt the lead out the tip, .015 is quit a difference, & since they get pushed through backwards there's going to be a "bulge" on the ogive where the punch is pushing, kind of like a pressure ring.

Might be a bad idea?

Varberger, I have done that and am in the process of building a rifle for my 7mm Long Range Hunter and it will have a second bbl in 8mm LRH, the 8mm barrel will take some time to get but I am looking into cutting back and rechambering a take off 8mm Rem Mag bbl I have laying around ,
The theoretical bullet we are trying to make will be a LR 250 gr 338 cal resized in a 323 bullet die, I hope it will work out as it a bit of sizing down to do !

Here is a Quick Design print of cartridge (not to scale) estimated h20 capacity is 111.4 gr,
I do have a print with case dimensions on computer and can post here if you want,
also have a dummy cartridge I can take a photo of (6.5 PRO necked up to 8mm) if you want to see the 8mm-338 Norma 35* shoulder cartridge.

 

[Swamplord]

Marshal,

Yeah my phone service is not so great on my current construction project, sorry about the dropped call ,

It was an idea that was worth checking into, not all ideas workout as planned,
the 8mm caliber has always been the ignored red headed step child in the USA, his better looking little brother the 6.5mm has become quite popular and studly in the last couple years, your 160 gr bullets have further boosted his popularity , the 150 gr bullets will be legendary !

btw, thanks for the extra 142 gr bullets !
awesome Christmas Gift !
I love bullets !

 

[marshal]

Your very welcome, thanks for the support.

 

[LoneTraveler]

The 8 MM has been wildcatted in several ways. After WW II many 8mm X 57 "s made it to the USA. The first I remember reading about was the 8mm X 30-06. Because of the unavailability of Boxer primed 8MM X 57 Brass. All European Brass was Berdan Primed. With Winchester bringing out their 264 WM and 338 WM there was another wildcatting. Somewhere I saved a magazine article from the early 60's titled a POOR MANS MAGNUM. It told the whole story from using a 264 WM reamer with a brass bushing on the neck to cut the chamber, And using a 8 X 57 reamer to cut the right length neck and throat. How to set up and grind the face bolt out to Magnum specs. and trim the extractor to fit he case. Also explained the opening of the magazine lips to feed the shell. Then Remington came with the 8 MM Rem. The bullets available to reloaders is the complaint I hear most. I know several people complain why did Win. come out with an 8MM 325 WSM series instead of the already proven 338 WSM wildcatters already had in a light mountain rifle. A RAUM or LAPOUE case and away the 8 MM goes again.

 

[Varberger757]

From my personal point of view, it's sometimes quite disappointing to see how little interest (undeserved) and knowledge there is to find about the .323/8mm in the US. It was and will unfortunately be a lost country for the 8mm. In contrary are hunters and shooters on the other continents open and interested in American gear even if they have a lot of other equivalent equipment available. It is as it is. In the USA acceptance of foreign equipment seems to be low concerning guns and ammo/calibres. We have to accept and live with it.
[FONT=&quot]Meanwhile, in Europe the different 8mmS are coming back on big scale. Lapua f. ex. now starts to produce their exclusive brass for the 8x57IS. Others to follow. The last introduction of a new hunting bullet for 8mmS/.323 was in 2014 by Swift, it was the Swift Scirocco II in 200gr and more to come. It is also quite obvious that something new like 8mmS - LM or 8mmS – 338NM and 8mmS – 300 Blaser Mag etc. will soon appear on the old continent followed by high BC – bullets. That's good to know, because then we got our own toys to play with due to LRH. [/FONT]

 

[MudRunner2005]

I've said it before, but I would love to build an 8mm RemMag if I had some good LR high-BC bullets available for it. Especially since I have so much STW brass sitting around, a simple trip through the FL sizing die and I instantly have 8mmRM brass.

 

[marshal]

From my personal point of view, it's sometimes quite disappointing to see how little interest (undeserved) and knowledge there is to find about the .323/8mm in the US. It was and will unfortunately be a lost country for the 8mm. In contrary are hunters and shooters on the other continents open and interested in American gear even if they have a lot of other equivalent equipment available. It is as it is. In the USA acceptance of foreign equipment seems to be low concerning guns and ammo/calibres. We have to accept and live with it.
[FONT=&quot]Meanwhile, in Europe the different 8mmS are coming back on big scale. Lapua f. ex. now starts to produce their exclusive brass for the 8x57IS. Others to follow. The last introduction of a new hunting bullet for 8mmS/.323 was in 2014 by Swift, it was the Swift Scirocco II in 200gr and more to come. It is also quite obvious that something new like 8mmS - LM or 8mmS – 338NM and 8mmS – 300 Blaser Mag etc. will soon appear on the old continent followed by high BC – bullets. That's good to know, because then we got our own toys to play with due to LRH. [/FONT]

I shoot an 8x68. I would have made a high BC bullet long ago if I could've gotten good jackets.
But now the extra dies would never even pay for themselves even if appropriate jackets were available.
As far as popular Euro calibers go... I do make a nice 9.3 uld, even has an aluminum tip.

 

[Varberger757]

I shoot an 8x68. I would have made a high BC bullet long ago if I could've gotten good jackets.
But now the extra dies would never even pay for themselves even if appropriate jackets were available.
As far as popular Euro calibers go... I do make a nice 9.3 uld, even has an aluminum tip.

8 x 68S is a magnificent round (my favourite) for all kinds of hunting, LRH included. Flat trajectory like the 300WM combined with the terminal power of the 338WM. If you're interested take a look at page 21, where I delivered some loaddata to an Australian buddy on LRH. Then you'll see what a correctly loaded 8 x 68S is capable of. I'm referring to a small number of bullets, because the others are only available in Europe. BTW, you should name it 8 x 68S, that's really essential because S refers to .323 dimension!! Otherwise it would be .318 ... If 9,3 (.366) so it should be the 9,3 x 64 that plays the music.

 

[marshal]

8 x 68S is a magnificent round (my favourite) for all kinds of hunting, LRH included. Flat trajectory like the 300WM combined with the terminal power of the 338WM. If you're interested take a look at page 21, where I delivered some loaddata to an Australian buddy on LRH. Then you'll see what a correctly loaded 8 x 68S is capable of. I'm referring to a small number of bullets, because the others are only available in Europe. BTW, you should name it 8 x 68S, that's really essential because S refers to .323 dimension!! Otherwise it would be .318 ... If 9,3 (.366) so it should be the 9,3 x 64 that plays the music.

My 9.3 is a .366 DGW, 416 Rigby necked down.
.no reference at all to the 8mm. Just stating Europe
Calibers are not shunned..

 

[JamesW]

James, here we go! First of all you should notice that the 8x68S is very critical due to types of bullets. 8x68S is a true magnum even though its performance looks ridiculous following SAAMI reloading data. You literally loose here between 100 - 300fps ...

Regular SP- or softer bonded bullets should only be used for hunting on distancies over 250m/ 300yards otherwise it's going be a HE - load!

The 8x68S normally prefers heavier bullets as 200 - 224gr. 220grainers have on average a MV between 870 - 890m/s (2854 - 2919fps). 200grs between 900 - 950m/s (2952 - 3116fps). Exceptions are f. ex. monos like Barnes, GMX etc. These are best between 160 - 180gr.

160gr Barnes TTSX, COAL 88mm, 72,8gr Hogdon V100 Hybrid, MV 991m/s or 3251fps.
180gr Barnes TSX, COAL 84mm, 76gr Norma MRP, MV 935m/s or 3067fps.

200gr Nosler CC, COAL 89mm, 72gr Norma URP, MV 930m/s or 3051fps.
220gr SGK , COAL 87mm, 73gr N160, MV 880m/s or 2887fps. Use same amount of N560 instead and gain even more velocity.
220gr Swift A - frame, COAL 88mm, 73,5gr Norma MRP, MV 862m/s or 2828fps.
220gr Woodleigh RN, COAL 89mm, 73gr N160, MV 870m/s or 2854fps. Use N560 instead. More speed where needed.

You may also use and convert reloading - data of the 8mmRM, but then you have to take into account that the 8mmRM has 14% more case capacity!!

Start carefully, it's your responsibility that counts under reloading!

Been working up a load using AR2209, and Aussie Custom projectiles, copper, 175 grain. Have settled with 78 grains, which is averaging 3230fps. ADI Powders book load shows a maximum of 68 grains for a 170 grain projectile! showing no signs of pressure and groups closed up the harder pushed. Will go and get some feedback from a few goats.

Found a box of 200 grain Nosler Custom Competition HPBT, but did not purchase, as they did not look good to shoot animals with. After searching some forums my doubts seem to be supported. Anybody here given them a go?

 

[Varberger757]

The only purpose of the 200gr Nosler CC is training and maybe some plinking.

 

[pmh-usa]

Guys, not hijacking the thread but I have a #3 sporter 8mm/323 blank for sale in the classifieds - I know that these are sometimes hard to find if anyone is looking for one.

 

[Swamplord]

Varberger ,
My apologies for not posting the dummy 8mm LRH cartridge,
I felt that a necked up 6.5 Pro did not truly represent the actual cartridge and chose not to put the photo up ...

Here at last is the real deal, with 200 gr Accubond .............



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