RELOADING are lighter than the 8x57 Mauser. I swaged the bullets down from .323 to .318. In deference to the design the loads are mild and show a high ES, especially the 125- and 150-grain loads. They can be brought up a grain or two and still be safe. THE 8X57 MAUSER is one of the most common military rounds to premier in 1888 with the Commission rifle. The Model 88, however, doesn’t use a Mauser action and is inferior to the 98 action. It also uses a .318-diameter bullet, so if this data is used, start at least 10 pecent below the listed loads. I have a Commission rifle on hand and at a later date will develop some loads for it. In 1904, the Mauser went to the .323-diameter bullet, which is still used today. Components are plentiful and easy to get. In a Model 98, loads can be developed that will get the most out of this round. With top loads it is close to a .30-06 in power. These loads should not be used in a Commission rifle. These loads should be reduced from at least 10 to 15 percent for use in a Commission or other weaker rifle. GERMANY BROUGHT OUT THE 8.15X46 sometime between 1890 and 1900. It is that country’s version of the American .32-40 both in power and usage. It was popular for 200-yard matches because of its good accuracy and low recoil. Bullet diameter is usually .318, though slugging the bore might not be a bad idea. I have made ammo for several of them, including one that I owned. Cases are made from a .30-30 or .32-40 brass, and needs to be trimmed and sized. Some of the older guns were originally designed for black powder, and caution should be used. Some 98 Mausers were rebarreled to this round and can safely utilize modern-type loads. Due to the small case, power is limited and would be barely adequate for deer with the best loads at close range. It is, however, an enjoyable round to shoot due to its light recoil and good accuracy. For the Mauser, I had to dress down 154
American Shooting Journal // July 2017
THE 8X57 MAUSER LOAD
BULLET
VELOCITY
COMMENT
52 grains 4166
125-grain Hornady
3,245.45
nice
50 grains 4166
150-grain Hornady
2,955.75
real consistent
47 grains 4166
175-grain Privi
2,713.81
nice
46 grains 4166
185-grain Remington
2,575.7
good load
44 grains 4166
198-grain FMJ
2,454.75
consistent
45 grains 4451
220-grain Sierra
2,304.91
consistent
THE 8.15X46 LOAD
BULLET
VELOCITY
COMMENT
32 grains 4166
125-grain Hornady
2,397.2
decent
30 grains 4166
150-grain Hornady
2,296.27
fair
28 grains 4166
170-grain Hornady .318
2,029
nice load
LOAD
BULLET
VELOCITY
COMMENT
52 grains 4166
150-grain Hornady
2,951.4
consistent
51 grains 4451
170-grain Hornady RN
2,159
very mild
48 grains 4166
175-grain Privi
2,687.55
very consistent
45 grains 4166
175-grain Privi backwards 2,140
mild
45 grains 4166
198-grain Privi FMJ
2,491.09
fair
VELOCITY
COMMENT
THE 8X50 LEBEL
THE 8X52 SIAMESE MAUSER LOAD
BULLET
45 grains 4166
150-grain Hornady
2,654
mild; consistent
47 grains 4166
150-grain Hornady
2,731.5
nice load
45 grains 4166
175-grain Privi
2,540.4
very consistent
45 grains 4451
198-grain Privi – FMJ
2,192.33
mild
the rim in order to make them fit. THE 8X50 LEBEL can benefit from mild loads, especially the Model 86 used in this test. It has a tubular magazine that prohibits using pointed bullets,
so I have loaded them backwards. However, you can’t use compressed loads with this method, as bullets go in crooked, so that is a limitation we have to live with. That applies to all of the rifles I have tried. A little shopping can
The 300 magnum has been around awhile, and the slower Enduron powders work well in it. The author didn’t do much with it as data is available elsewhere. The 7977 has great potential with heavy bullets in this caliber.