BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[Kirrmeister]

Hello from Germany!

I have bought an original K 98 in 8x57IS. I want to use it for drive hunt or bushhunt here in Germany. i wannt to use 170 grs soft point bullets from Speer. any suggestions for a powdercharge?

Regards

Kirrmeister

[cam69conv]

170 grain Speer Spitzer SP
W748 46.0 gr. 2,410 FPS
W760 48.0 gr. 2,240
H4831 57.0 gr. 2,418
H450 49.0 gr. 2,138
H380 49.0 gr. 2,509
H4895 46.0 gr. 2,501
Reloader12 40.0 gr. 2,280
Reloader15 41.4 gr. 2,400
Viht. N140 48.0 gr. 2,574
A2700 49.0 gr. 2,486
IMR 4895 46.0 gr. 2,640

Those are Max loads so reduce 10 to 15% and work up from there. Good luck

[Fisher King]

I just worked up a load for my K98 175 grn soft nose and 46 grns of varget all within an inch at 100 yards.
I have a load for 200 grn speer is 44.8 grns of varget.
Regards F.K.

[Full Draw]

Waidmann’s Heil, Kirrmeister

I've been experimenting with this round for some time. I found that IMR 4064 is a great powder to work with here. I went on an elk hunt with my 11 yr. old this past weekend and he was carrying a 1951 vintage Husqvarna Model 648 in 8x57JS Mauser built on a 98 action. He dropped a nice cow elk at 312 yds. using a 170 gr. Speer Semi Spitzer with 47gr. IMR 4064, Norma brass and CCI 200 Primer. This rifle shoots this round with touching holes at 100 yds. The bullet did come apart but he caught the shoulder solid. Lots of vitals damage behind the shoulder and there was an exit. I found several copper pieces but no lead. This is almost a Max Load. Start at 45gr. I suggest that you have the gun looked at before getting too carried away. I have a friend that bought one with an invisible crack in ring. I have 3 8mm x 57 rifles and they all like the heavier bullets (170 -200) vs the 150 gr.

[Kirrmeister]

Hi Full Draw,

thanks for the detailed answer. I'm surprised that your son, 11 years old can stand the recoil of the 8x57 Mauser.

Because of proofing the K 98 carbine before shooting. Here in GE we have a proofing authority which tests each gun with proofing cartridges. They are 30 % loaded over maximum load. all guns which can stand that are considered safe and get a proofing sign.

Will do my first steps with a 170 grs Speer bullet.

Regards

Kirrmeister

[CVC]

Welcome Kirrmeister

The idea of a "proofing authority" is new to me. Can you explain a little more what it is? Must you submit your rifle to the authority or is voluntary? Do all guns have to be proofed?

Thanks

[Kirrmeister]

Hi CVC,

the proofing authority is an organisation of the state, called "Beschussamt". They do their work on base of law. All traders must deliever the guns to the Beschussamt for proofing. Germany has 7 Beschussämter. Here in Europe we have the C.I.P. Guns from countries which are C.I.P:-members need not to be proofed because their proofing is accepted from the other members. While the USA is not in the C.I.P. I would have bring a gun to the Beschussamt if I had imported it directly from the US to GE.

The procedure of proofing is ruled and described in detail in the Beschussgesetz (proofing law).

I think it is agood thing, because as gunuser you could be sure the guns you shoot are safe.

Regards

Kirrmeister

[cam69conv]

So basicly they are just quality inspectors and not some sort of regulatory group designed to register guns? Sounds like a good thing actually.

[CVC]

Kirrmeister wrote: Hi CVC,

the proofing authority is an organisation of the state, called "Beschussamt". They do their work on base of law. All traders must deliever the guns to the Beschussamt for proofing. Germany has 7 Beschussämter. Here in Europe we have the C.I.P. Guns from countries which are C.I.P:-members need not to be proofed because their proofing is accepted from the other members. While the USA is not in the C.I.P. I would have bring a gun to the Beschussamt if I had imported it directly from the US to GE.

The procedure of proofing is ruled and described in detail in the Beschussgesetz (proofing law).

I think it is agood thing, because as gunuser you could be sure the guns you shoot are safe.

Regards

Kirrmeister

Thanks for the information. Learn something new everyday :D

[Full Draw]

Kirrmeister,

I also found the info about the proofing authority to be interesting. Thanks. The rifle my son used has a limbsaver recoil pad. These things turn a kick into a push. He weighs about 85 lbs. and has no trouble at all with the 8x57. I am very impressed with their products. I will say that when he tried my 9.3mm x 62 he feared that he would be scoped. Maybe when he gets a little older.[/img]

[Kirrmeister]

Hi Full Draw!

Thanks for the nice pic and congrats to your son, in Germany we say "Waidmanns Heil!".
So while the carbine 98k of the Wehrmacht is very common here in GE and it has the cal. 8x57 we always think at the carbine when hearing/readding about the 8x57. And out of this carbine with its steel buttplate the recoil is very very strong. but when using a modern repeating rifle with a shock absorber there will be no problem.

I think the elkdeers are similar to our reddeer here in Germany, only bigger.

hope to hear more from you and your son! My son is 6 yr, and also interested in hunting, but in GE is not allowed to do it by law. So he comes with me and looks a bit around. I thing the first gun he'll get is a airgun or a smallbore rifle.

Regards

Kirrmeister