8x60

[DM Shooting]

I've just got my grubby mitts on an 8x60 specially made for Clas A Heyer & Co Nairobi. It's a nice little rifle and looks to have some hunting left in her.

Now on checking the proof marks for the bore diameter it's stamped 7,85.8,1.240 then under neath 8x60 with an S right angles lower down. Now I was expecting either 7,9 or 8,2 to say the.318 or .323

So what size bullets does she need????

 

[Longwalker]

My limited experience and understanding would tell me that the "S" stamp indicates is the modern .323" diameter bore. If in doubt, slug the bore or make a bore cast.

 

[DM Shooting]

The S is almost to dislocated from the rest for my liking, normally found the proof dimensions accurate but not seen In betweeners before, hope someone else has!!!

If no one can help I'll slug the bore next week.

 

[Jimbob]

Yeah slug it mate. All due respect to the forum but atleast if you slug it you'll know 100% exactly what it is.

Got my fingers crossed its .323" for you.

 

[DM Shooting]

Well I've slugged the bore and as per the proof marks 8.16mm so is that a sloppy 7.9 or tight 8.2????

Your thought please on these interesting old rifle.

 

[Jimbob]

Hmmm. What are the land measurements?

 

[DM Shooting]

Lands 7.91mm

 

[Longwalker]

8.16mm = 0.321" and I would personally be comfortable shooting modern "S" dia .323 cup and core bullets in it. They will squeeze down that little bit. Two thousandths is within reasonable tolerance range. I do not suggest that you use monolithic copper or gilding metal bullets just because they are a little harder and resist deformation more. Just work up a standard jacketed bullet load and watch carefully for high pressure signs. Stop adding powder when you reach standard book velocity and your pressure should be OK too. To confirm safety, load and fire the same few test cases 5 more times with your max. load. If your primer pockets remain tight, your pressure is perfectly safe.

 

[DM Shooting]

I'm looking a load data it's thin on the ground for 8x60 I'm thinking about using 8x57 data that should also lower the pressure slightly then work up to book velocity or to pressure signs.

 

[Longwalker]

" Cartridges of the World" 5th ed. Frank Barnes: 8x60 "Mauser" 196 gr. jacketed bullet, 49 grains 4895, 2570fps
RWS: 187 gr. Fact ld. 2810 fps, 196 gr. Fact ld. 2580 fps

 

[DM Shooting]

I'm thinking a 185 grain sp over 47.8 -54 grains of TU5000 with a standard CCI larger rifle primer.

 

[Jimbob]

No idea on load data but the Cartridges of the World stuff can be on the hot side so start nice and low.

 

[Mannlicher]

My Vectan load datas say max 50 gr TU 5000 for the 187 gr RWS H_Mantel or 52 gr SP 7.

Mannlicher

 

[DM Shooting]

Where did you find load data I only have 8x57 data for vectan any links would be great.

 

[Mannlicher]

I took it from an italian side "Associazione Sici"- Nobelsport.

Mannlicher

 

[DM Shooting]

Do you have a link I can't find it on google?

 

[Mannlicher]

www.vectan.fr - new datas. I have older ones of 2005 too.

Mannlicher

 

[DM Shooting]

Thanks got that one but very little 8x60 data.

 

[8 x 60]

46.5grns Varget behind 175gn Sierra Prohunters works well in my 8 x 60 JRS (.323)

 

[oldhoward]

Thanks got that one but very little 8x60 data.

Hi. You need to hunt around on the internet for 8x60 load information. I had retrieved almost a whole page of 8x60 loads from various sources. Try searching on 8x60, 8x60 Mauser, 8x60s bore, 8x60 magnum. I would send that information but it was lost when my old pc died. I also load 8x60s usually with 175 gr Sierra's and several powders will work. There was also a magnum bombe load which was hotter han the standard 8x60 loads, using a 186 grain bullet if I remember correctly. I think the Norma website list a load with 203b and 200 grain Barnes bullets at one time. I don't like posting data from the internet because I am not sure it is correct, so be careful.