8mm bullets / & options

[dirtbag]

Hi all - really having a headache trying to find a different bullet for my mausers.
Looking at longer ranges say 800 yards. I have had good days with the 198gr PPUS at circa 2500 fps with H4895, but was hoping to find a lighter bullet and try a lighter load. The recoil never used to bother me, but it is now....
The question is, is there any suitable bullets out there ?

Thanks in advance

[WelshShooter]

Now that expanding bullets can be purchased without entirely onto FAC you will have a much larger selection to choose from. However, expanding bullets in 8mm aren't really cheap. Here's the alternative bullets I've found:
PPU 185gr Grom bullets (Henry Krank)
Hornady 170gr round nose (Dauntsey Guns)
Sierra 150gr SP (Shooting Supplies EU)
H&N 170gr TC plated bullet (Shooting Supplies EU)

Each of the vendors in brackets can be found via Google searches. You may want to try a faster burning powder to mitigate some of the recoil too. On the other hand, I would highly suggest looking into buying one of the Past recoil pads for your shoulder. I've had some nerve injuries in the past and found that 20 full power 8mm loads were enough to stop my day shooting. Slipping a pad over my shoulder for this rifle would allow me to shoot off 100 rounds without any pain.

[dirtbag]

Hi thanks for the reply. I would assume that being non boat tail would affect the accuracy from a long distance?

[Chapuis]

Don't use the Grom bullets. They are far too good for shooting simply at paper targets.

[dirtbag]

Don't use the Grom bullets. They are far too good for shooting simply at paper targets.

Hi thanks for the reply.

That bullet weight sits nicely among my other bullet weights, so that would be a nice option.

[WelshShooter]

Flat base bullets tend to be more accurate at short distances (in the example of the 303) but as you've pointed out boat tails are butter for long distance. The 'eavier 200gr bullet will be much better for longer distances than lighter bullets. You'll have to end with a compromise, you either suck up the full power 200gr loads with the aid of a recoil pad or you have to settle for a lower BC bullet with milder recoil.

Your other alternative is to use gas checked lead boolits, but I don't have any experience with these. Dromia might be able to help you out with this.

[dirtbag]

Flat base bullets tend to be more accurate at short distances (in the example of the 303) but as you've pointed out boat tails are butter for long distance. The 'eavier 200gr bullet will be much better for longer distances than lighter bullets. You'll have to end with a compromise, you either suck up the full power 200gr loads with the aid of a recoil pad or you have to settle for a lower BC bullet with milder recoil.

Your other alternative is to use gas checked lead boolits, but I don't have any experience with these. Dromia might be able to help you out with this.

I have managed to get some sierra 175's on the cheap , they are flat based. I will give these a try.
Thanks for your help