Transplanted from old YW site:
gschwertley
saddle soap
Posts: 2036
(10/30/06 1:21 am)
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Another 8x50R Austrian load
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Today I was able to steal some time to sneak off to the rifle range for a little while. Unfortunately, after I got to the range, I discovered that I left two batches of experimental lead loads at home on my workbench. Oh well, there's my work for the next trip.
On this trip today, I was able to chrono some 8x50R Austrian jacketed loads that I put together back in December, 2005, so what's the rush??!
The original military factory loads employ a 244 grain jacketed bullet. As we have discussed before, this is a bore riding bullet of .323 diameter with an obturating base to seal the propellant gases in while expelling the bullet.
Because we can't get bullets of this design for reloading, the best we can do is to come as close as possible. Last year, I was lucky enough to find a box of 100 Hornady 250 grain bullets in .338 diameter for $5. These were RN jacketed bullets with a small soft-nose tip. When run through a .329 sizing die from Lee, these sized down nicely. When finished, they weigh and look a lot like the kind of bullet originally used in this military caliber. In the sizing process, these bullets spring back to .330 final size. Since these bullets are close to true bore diameter, we don't need to concern ourselves with an obturating base for gas sealing purposes.
The powder used was H-1000, the slowest propellant Hodgdon makes. This powder was originally designed for the .270 Winchesters that were used in the 1000 yard matches. Heavier bullets like slower powders, so I figured the 250 grain bullet might go well with this powder. One fellow at the range called this heavy bullet a "bowling ball."
Data for this load:
8x50R Austrian
Hornady 250 gr. jacketed RN .338 bullet sized down to .330
50.0 gr. H-1000
Brass: RP .45-70 converted by Buffalo Arms
CCI 250 magnum primer
Average velocity: 1520 fps
Standard deviation: 17.38 fps
Ambient temperature: 45 degrees F
This load gave very nice accuracy at 50 yards. I was shooting though another member's chrono that was already set up there. I have reported on this load before, but that data was obtained on a day that was 30 degrees warmer.
I do not recommend this for hunting, as the bullets such as I have used (converted .338 magnum) are designed for use at much higher velocities and have heavy jackets and possibly harder alloy fillers. Travelling at 8x50R velocities, they probably would not expand properly.
Edited by: gschwertley at: 2/11/07 1:39 am
yockey5
The Seeker
Posts: 15072
(10/30/06 2:31 am)
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Re: Another 8x50R Austrian load
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Gary, you know I am listening every time you post on the M95s!
Thanks!
Geboren om oude geweren te kopen, mijn hart ligt bij de voet van bootberg
gschwertley
saddle soap
Posts: 2038
(10/30/06 2:33 am)
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8x50R Austrian
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I forgot to mention that this is a very pleasant load to shoot in the M95 Stutzen, which is the rifle that I used.
Mauser71
Registered Member
Posts: 5
(11/24/06 10:49 am)
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Re: Another 8x50R Austrian load
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Gentleman- Any thoughts about using this load (ie. slow powder) with cast bullets of the same weight?
gschwertley
saddle soap
Posts: 2197
(1/28/07 11:27 pm)
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Re: Another 8x50R Austrian load
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Mauser 71:
I'm sorry, I didn't see your post on this until just now.
Some of the cast bullet shooters like to use large charges of very slow powders with their lead bullets. I hear some of them talk about buying the very slow milsurp powders cheaply and using this powder with lead bullets.
"Sehr schwer, mein Herr"
Et2ss
The Source
Posts: 885
(2/1/07 2:34 pm)
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Re: Another 8x50R Austrian load
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I have yet to reload for the 8 X 50 but wanted to form some 7,62 X 54r brass for my 2 carbines. If I use a cast 205 gr. .329 I wouldn't be pushing the pressure at all?
Also I want to make a few for my 88/90. Should I stick with .323's or would the .329 be OK in this?
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