Reloading for old Mauser 8mm

New Avon Arms
A

Antonyweeks

Well-Known Member
Just acquired an old Portuguese 8mm mauser and would like to reload for it. Currently shooting PPU 200g Match rounds but would like something lighter to shoot. Don’t intend to hunt with it so I’m not after a non lead hunting round. Wondered if any of you good folks out there reload for this type of rifle and what bullets / powder combo you’ve found works?
 
I shoot a Persian 8mm Mauser,
cast speer-point 220gr gas-check bullet, lubed and sized .325,
large rifle primer, 13.5gr Unique powder, + wad packer,
stop on and can shoot it all day,
 
Yep, if its just for plinking then it's hard to see past the cast bullet/pistol powder loads for old rifles. I've used 13gn Red Dot under a 185gn cast in my 8mm and it's lovely to shoot, cheap to run and kind on the rifle , brass and shooter.
 
I have a Yugo 8mm which is a fantastically accurate rifle when paired with a scout-mounted long-eye relief pistol scope (top rifle below - my old eyes and battle sights don’t work).
My round of choice is 150 gns Sierras Gamekings over a moderate mid-range load of Viht N140 - pleasant to shoot and more accurate than I could wish for out to 400 yards.
If recoil is an issue for you a slip on KickEeze (?) recoil pad works wonders…..
🦊🦊
IMG_4040.jpeg
 
Not the same calibre I know but I shoot an 8 x 68. I wanted a softer load so used Sierra 150g gamekings and 170g prohunters in front of starter loads of N160 for good accuracy and recoil similar to a 30-06. Obviously N160 is too slow for 8mm mauser. I would have thought that starter loads of "308" powders would work.
 
The powders I have currently are N150 and also RS60 but I'm not sure if these will be too much? I was looking at the 150 gamekings. Cast bullets are a great idea too but I have no kit and not sure I can justify it at the moment! ;)
 
I have one of the pork and cheese Mauser viguero in 8mm, I feed it Privi 196 grain so which is a tenner cheaper than the fmj!
I also have the full length 6.5 x 58 as well
 
Antonyweeks said:
Just acquired an old Portuguese 8mm mauser and would like to reload for it. Currently shooting PPU 200g Match rounds but would like something lighter to shoot. Don’t intend to hunt with it so I’m not after a non lead hunting round. Wondered if any of you good folks out there reload for this type of rifle and what bullets / powder combo you’ve found works?
Click to expand...
@Ade8mm
 
Antonyweeks said:
The powders I have currently are N150 and also RS60 but I'm not sure if these will be too much? I was looking at the 150 gamekings. Cast bullets are a great idea too but I have no kit and not sure I can justify it at the moment! ;)
Click to expand...
Hmmm.
According to their site Viht N150 kicks in at 170gns so I would look for 180 Sierras which will probably be even more accurate!
🦊🦊
 
Some nations will have their rifles sighted for 154 grain bullets (which is 10 grams and was the WWI German bullet weight of the original 98). Others will have them sighted for the WWII German 198 grain bullet the Nazi 98K. So if you want the rifle to shoot to sight settings then you'll need to see what that rifle was sighted for when issued. And that did change over the 20th Century.
 
A further thought which may not apply to this rifle but anyhooo ……
Some battle rifles were zeroed with the bayonet attached such as the M91/30 Mosin Nagant - this will presumably affect barrel harmonics and perhaps to a lesser extent elevation. If your battle sights are hitting higher than their respective settings you may wish to experiment with the bayonet attached.
🦊🦊
 
enfieldspares said:
Some nations will have their rifles sighted for 154 grain bullets (which is 10 grams and was the WWI German bullet weight of the original 98). Others will have them sighted for the WWII German 198 grain bullet the Nazi 98K. So if you want the rifle to shoot to sight settings then you'll need to see what that rifle was sighted for when issued. And that did change over the 20th Century.
Click to expand...
Mine is a rebored Portuguese viguero. Started off life as WW1 calibre and then ended up WW2. The sights are interesting as you can see that they've been reground.
 
Antonyweeks said:
Mine is a rebored Portuguese viguero. Started off life as WW1 calibre and then ended up WW2. The sights are interesting as you can see that they've been reground.
Click to expand...
I’m not convinced about the boring out story, I’m sure having looked at both barrels together that it’s a new one with the sights swapped and ground to the correct profile!


I must get my callipers out on the barrels and confirm my suspicions!
 
I stand corrected I think, it was rechambered so presumably new barrel and reground sights. Just had a look online and other than my awful spelling of the thing (should be Vergueiro!) it seems most sources simply refer to them as being rechambered rather than rebored. Lovely old thing though and excellent fun to shoot.

Model 1904 Vergueiro-Mauser (Portuguese Mauser) Bolt-Action Service Rifle.

Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Model 1904 Vergueiro-Mauser (Portuguese Mauser) Bolt-Action Service Rifle. including pictures.
www.militaryfactory.com
 
Antonyweeks said:
I stand corrected I think, it was rechambered so presumably new barrel and reground sights. Just had a look online and other than my awful spelling of the thing (should be Vergueiro!) it seems most sources simply refer to them as being rechambered rather than rebored. Lovely old thing though and excellent fun to shoot.

Model 1904 Vergueiro-Mauser (Portuguese Mauser) Bolt-Action Service Rifle.

Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Model 1904 Vergueiro-Mauser (Portuguese Mauser) Bolt-Action Service Rifle. including pictures.
www.militaryfactory.com
Click to expand...
Yep - so why do we enjoy shooting these old girls soooo much?
🦊🦊
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Reloading advice for a 10 gauge newbie
Replies
6
Views
339
Bowland blades
Bowland blades
My first reloading kit
2
Replies
34
Views
1K
25 Sharps
25 Sharps
Advice for starting reloading
Replies
11
Views
688
plumber01
P
7x57 reloading advice with Vitavouri N150
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
Mr. Gain
Mr. Gain
8mm Mauser
Replies
7
Views
486
Foxyboy43
Foxyboy43
1967spud Reloading Supplies Ltd - UK Suppliers for Reloading Equipment supplies, We also stock Bullet Heads and Bullet Cases Guns Cabinets, Night vision and much much more...
Back
Top