Obsolete cartridges

[MS 9x56]

I seem to have a penchant for buying rifles chambered in obsolete and nearly unobtainable ammunition. My newest acquisition is a ma user 98 proofed in 1937 in 8mm mauser. Just my luck is turns out it is chambered in 8x57 J. Bore diameter .318. It is a gorgeous engraved rifle with raised rib full length, 1/2 octagon 1/2 round barrel wearing a Lyman peep sight mounted on the bolt release lever. Just an awsome custom sporting ma user 98. Already ordered dies but where do I find load information?

 

[93marlin]

If I remember correctly, there's an issue of Cartridges of the World has separate loadings for the 318 bullet.
I'll check and see if I can find my copy.
I currently have three 8x57 sporters.
All with the S bore. Awesome caliber!

 

[93marlin]

Well, it wasn't in Cartridges of the World.
Ken Waters "Pet Loads" is where I read about the 318 bullet in the 8x57.
All that was said make sure of the diameter of your rifle.
Start with some reasonable loads well below the maximum listed.
The 8x57 is a great cartridge! Enjoy your sporter!
Post some photos if you get the chance.

 

[Zinz]

I’ll be watching this thread. I also have a beautiful Sporter with a J bore

 

[steve white]

I would be surprised if there is any significant difference between J and JS loading data unless exceptions are made for older weaker actions/condition. Loading data for other than the original 196gr. bullets may be more scarce for the .318 version, as well. Any data for American 8x57 Mauser lighter bullets will almost certainly suffice, since loads are kept consistently mild to prevent .323 projectiles from being fired in .318 bores. Someone may prove me wrong, but I am basing it off formulations for 8x57JR in European brands. 318 diameter bullets can be gotten from many sources. I have Woodleigh, and Hawk in just the bullets, and in rimmed version, loaded ammo from S&B, RWS, and Norma, which as mentioned are loaded hotter than American brands in .323 diameter rounds.
Norma probably has brass, as well, even if it is new old stock. You can certainly neck size downward with 8x57JS brass, but headstamps will then be wrong.
Surely there will be information listed online just by typing in 8x57J, from various sources.
Yamoon and other 8x57 fans will surely chime in soon.
I would have jumped on the rifle you purchased myself, if it was affordable! Sounds like a peach.

 

[yamoon]

I have 2 8x57 I, one slugs .318 the other slugs .321. The .318 requires .318 bullets the .321 shoots .323 with no problem. The way to find out if your I bore will shoot .323 safely is to fire a .318 round in it, if a .323 bullet slips freely into the fired case, no worry. Many of the .318 bore rifles were chambered so .323 could be used. I use the .323 load information for the .318 as well as .323. Another thought, no J or JS bores, only I and IS.
Mike

 

[yamoon]

KnowI have 2 8x57 I, one slugs .318 the other slugs .321. The .318 requires .318 bullets the .321 shoots .323 with no problem. The way to find out if your I bore will shoot .323 safely is to fire a .318 round in it, if a .323 bullet slips freely into the fired case, no worry. Many of the .318 bore rifles were chambered so .323 could be used. I use the .323 load information for the .318 as well as .323. Another thought, no J or JS bores, only I and IS.
Mike

I stands for Infanterie (Infantry) IS Infanterie Spitzgeschoss (Infantry pointed projectile) probably more than you really wanted know.
Mike

 

[falco]

8 x 57 I
899	DEVA	TMR (318 196 01)	Delsing	12,70	196,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,08	47,50	CCI 200	RWS	76,50
897	DEVA	TR (67901)	Norma	12,70	196,00	202	Norma	3,11	48,00	RWS 5341	Norma	75,60
898	DEVA	TR (67901)	Norma	12,70	196,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,24	50,00	RWS 5341	RWS	75,60
901	DEVA	TMR (2145715)	RWS	12,70	196,00	IMR 4064	IMR	3,18	49,00	CCI 200	RWS	75,60
900	DEVA	TMR (2145715)	RWS	12,70	196,00	R 903	Rottweil	3,21	49,50	RWS 5341	RWS	75,60
902	DEVA	TIG .318"	IWK	12,83	198,00	R 907	Rottweil	3,37	52,00	RWS 5341	RWS	76,30
903	DEVA	TIG .318"	IWK	12,83	198,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,18	49,00	RWS 5341	RWS

 

[yamoon]

8 x 57 I
899	DEVA	TMR (318 196 01)	Delsing	12,70	196,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,08	47,50	CCI 200	RWS	76,50
897	DEVA	TR (67901)	Norma	12,70	196,00	202	Norma	3,11	48,00	RWS 5341	Norma	75,60
898	DEVA	TR (67901)	Norma	12,70	196,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,24	50,00	RWS 5341	RWS	75,60
901	DEVA	TMR (2145715)	RWS	12,70	196,00	IMR 4064	IMR	3,18	49,00	CCI 200	RWS	75,60
900	DEVA	TMR (2145715)	RWS	12,70	196,00	R 903	Rottweil	3,21	49,50	RWS 5341	RWS	75,60
902	DEVA	TIG .318"	IWK	12,83	198,00	R 907	Rottweil	3,37	52,00	RWS 5341	RWS	76,30
903	DEVA	TIG .318"	IWK	12,83	198,00	N 140	Vihtavuori	3,18	49,00	RWS 5341	RWS

I have used IMR4064 and a resizes 170gr .318 with good results.
Mike

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I seem to have a penchant for buying rifles chambered in obsolete and nearly unobtainable ammunition. My newest acquisition is a ma user 98 proofed in 1937 in 8mm mauser. Just my luck is turns out it is chambered in 8x57 J. Bore diameter .318. It is a gorgeous engraved rifle with raised rib full length, 1/2 octagon 1/2 round barrel wearing a Lyman peep sight mounted on the bolt release lever. Just an awsome custom sporting ma user 98. Already ordered dies but where do I find load information?

@MS 9x56
Woodleigh makes a nice .318 projectiles
Bob

 

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56
Woodleigh makes a nice .318 projectiles
Bob

Do you happen to know how many grains they are? Roundnose or spitzer? Thank you for the heads up Bob.

 

[PerH]

Acc to Woodleigh catalog 2021 it’s 200 grain

Originally 8x57I was loaded with 244 grain ammo in I and IR .

 

[PerH]

NEW CALIBER - 8 mm ( .318 ) - Fox Bullets - Since 2015!

Dear hunters, we have a special news for you. With the end of August an eagerly anticipated caliber has arrived. For all […]

www.foxbullets.eu

One from Fox in Slovenia ( says 2017 , but I think they make it still )

Can say a copy of Hirtenberger ABC and the 150 grain is similar a lead core 198 grain

 

[Dirtdart]

The .318 Woodleigh is a 200 grain RN SN.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Acc to Woodleigh catalog 2021 it’s 200 grain

Originally 8x57I was loaded with 244 grain ammo in I and IR .

@PerH
Still lists the .318, 200gn rnsp in the latest catalogue.
Bob

 

[yamoon]

Hawk Bullets list 2 .318, a 180gr and a 220gr, I may order the 220s.
Mike

 

[Creigh]

I seem to have a penchant for buying rifles chambered in obsolete and nearly unobtainable ammunition. My newest acquisition is a ma user 98 proofed in 1937 in 8mm mauser. Just my luck is turns out it is chambered in 8x57 J. Bore diameter .318. It is a gorgeous engraved rifle with raised rib full length, 1/2 octagon 1/2 round barrel wearing a Lyman peep sight mounted on the bolt release lever. Just an awsome custom sporting ma user 98. Already ordered dies but where do I find load information?

The heart wants what the heart wants.

 

[Dirtdart]

Somewhere around the place I have some Norma .318 diameter bullets. If memory serves they are RN SP in 159 gr and possibly some other weights. If any of the stateside members are interested I will get a count and offer them for sale.
I do not currently have a rifle that requires that diameter. The OP has first dibs.

 

[flatwater bill]

60 years ago I hunted with a .318 bore. The cartridges I had were already old even then, and from the old Country. I pulled some apart. The bullet was RN with a lot of lead exposed, and weighed 236 grains. The powder was 38 grains of very coarsely flaked smokeless. But this was a commission rifle and not a Mod 98. I have used and owned several since. All 98's. Buy some Hawk bullets. They are very soft and work well in the older bores. I currently shoot 50 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 200 grainer in mine. Best of luck.........FWB

 

[yamoon]

Somewhere around the place I have some Norma .318 diameter bullets. If memory serves they are RN SP in 159 gr and possibly some other weights. If any of the stateside members are interested I will get a count and offer them for sale.
I do not currently have a rifle that requires that diameter. The OP has first dibs.

I would be interested. My go to deer rifle is an .318 Mauser sporter.
Mike