8mm Mauer reloading help!

[combfoot]

I recently got a deal too good to be true, which was sealed cans of 8mm mauser with around 900 rounds in each, circa 1978. Sadly, the ammo didn't fire in my mauser, or in another 24/47, more than 1 or 2 in 5 shots. Looking over the ammo, it appears the primers are seated way too deep in the case. I figured, well, I can at least pull the bullets and reload them. The bullets seem to be a 197 to 199 grain FMJ boat tail with a good point on it. Does anyone have a reliable source for a load for this bullet? Hodgdon had a 200 grain load with SP, but i don't think thats the right shape, but I don't know. Can anyone me with a load? thank you in advance.

[CMV]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Lyman #49 has 170 gr & 220 gr data but nothing at 200 gr.

Below is data from Lee Modern Reloading 2nd ed & Hornady 8th. A SP or FMJ are going to use the same data. As with anything else, start low & work up. Sorry, I couldn't scan them - books too fat to lie flat open on the right pages.







Since your shape is probably a lot different and your bullet is a little heavier, I'd take baby steps anywhere near those Hornady maxes - better to stick with the generic 200 gr data in the Lee book. You can see where they overlap the Hornady goes a lot higher and typically it's my most conservative reference. In fact, where it overlaps Lyman #49 at 170gr the maxes are real close or higher for the Hornady 200 gr so I'd consider them suspect. Be very careful and pay attention to what the Chrony is telling you if you choose to go to the upper end of the Hornady data.

The data on the Hodgdon site looks to be the same as what's in the Lee book also so I'd go with that if you're using one of their powders.

[kARL]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Ya know before you do all that, it may well be simpler to get a stronger firing pin from Worff..that made a lot of surplus go bang for me.

karl

[combfoot]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Thank you so much! that was very kind of you! i will certainly reconsider the firing pin, as the rifle is pre war and bound to have been work down a bit. thank you again!

[AKrazy]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Ya know before you do all that, it may well be simpler to get a stronger firing pin from Worff..that made a lot of surplus go bang for me.

karl

Regarding heavier springs, I was looking at Wolff's selection and they have a 22 and 26 pound spring available and they note that the factory spring is 19lbs. I have some older ammo that about 3 out of 4 need a second hit to det. My Mauser is a 1936 K98 so it would make sense that the spring is tired (even though other ammo seems to work fine) so I was thinking of upgrading the spring. If I were to just go with the 26lbs spring, is there a possibility of over penetration of the primer or any other reason I should use the 22lbs spring instead?

Thanks!

[CMV]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

I'd go with the lightest that functions reliably. You don't want pierced primers on stuff that's just a little hot.

[kARL]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Personal preference, I would get the stronger spring.
If it does pierce primers, you can always cut a curl or two off.

Or you can get both and start with the lighter one.

karl

[kARL]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Personal preference, I would get the stronger spring.
If it does pierce primers, you can always cut a curl or two off.

Best to talk with the people at Wolffs

karl

[AKrazy]

Re: 8mm Mauer reloading help!

Personal preference, I would get the stronger spring.
If it does pierce primers, you can always cut a curl or two off.

Best to talk with the people at Wolffs

karl

Good thinking!

Thanks kARL!!