The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hello,

I’m wondering what the consensus is on running bullets 0.003” oversized?

My Gewehr 88 has an “S” barrel, and was rechambered to take the original 7.92x57JS load – the S Patrone, the bullet of which had a body of 0.321” and a short driving band of 0.323”.

I’ve been shooting low- to mid-range loads (depending upon whose data you go by) using 0.318” bullets.

Now, those bullets are on the custom price side of the line. Premium 0.321” bullets (think LeveRevolution) are actually cheaper, and standard .32-20 bullets are less expensive yet.

Additionally, I’d like something that starts engaging the rifling well just a bit sooner – I’d like to play with this, anyway, see how accuracy is.

Does anyone see any problem with this? My bore slugs to 0.310”x0.318”.

I don’t personally think it would be an issue.

Opinions?

Thanks,

Josh

P.S. It’s been suggested I cast for this rifle. Honestly, I don’t want to. I don’t like the idea of casting for smokeless rifles. Just a silly idea I have. Thanks again, J.S.

Josh I understand your concern for cost in shooting the .318 bullets, myself I'd be very hesitant to do this. What is your concern accuracy? Are you getting key holes at the target due to unstable bullet? If this is strictly a cost thing and I understand that .318 bullets aren't cheap (heck none of the jacketed bullets are cheap these days) I'd ask a gunsmith about it. I sure wouldn't recommend it to you, your rifle and your life (don't mean to sound harsh Buddy) your just asking a question that is a SAFETY thing. Myself I'd be safe and not sorry, just my $.02.
Burrhead

Why not cast if you don't mind? Hard cast "Boolits" are easier to clean up after than copper jacketed (in my experience

Thanks folks.

No, no keyholing.

Due to the "S" chambering, I tried a Nosler Ballistic tip in it exactly once with a starting load when the rifle was first bought.

I didn't like the way the recoil felt and so I have the remaining 49 sitting here pending a trade.

I know cast bullets. I do cast my own in .452" and round balls for two muzzleloaders.

Just seems wrong to me, like putting a Minie Ball down a Kentucky Rifle would be wrong.

Not saying I'll never fire cast, but I do like to keep close to the original loads as possible. That means I fire round nosed 200 grain at about 2200fps (a starting load) and 150grn spitzer at about 2500fps (just a hair over starting), both jacketed. The S-Patrone would be a nice load to replicate too with the original bullet size, if safe.

As I understand it, the domestically-produced "8mm Mauser" is downloaded and with a 0.321" bullet so as to keep liability down for these old girls.

This is what lead me to believe that this load might be safe. Definitely not looking to be too hard on the rifle or anything else!

Thanks!

Josh

P.S. A typo was pointed out to me. In the original post, I said .32-20 when I meant .32 Special. Sorry about that! J.S.

I read in an old American Rifleman article about a number of blow ups due to folks shooting 8mm Mauser ammo through 30/06s. (article was from the 60s). The American Rifleman made a test gun that had a 30 cal barrel chambered in 8mm. They found that the .323 bullets swaged down and went through the .308 barrel just fine, but with a noticable lack of accuracy. It seems that the blow ups were due to the fact that the 8mm is so much shorter than the 30/06. The excessive headspace was the culprit of the blow ups, and not the bullet diameter.
I think in a rifle as old as yours, that has had who knows how many fullhouse Turk loads through it, that I would err on the side of cautuion, and stick to light loaded .318 bullets.
I just measured the bullets on some Rem factory loads that I have on hand, and they indeed seem to be .321. I also know that they are loaded down to about 30-30 specs.
What would you take in trade for those .323 bullets that you don't plan to use?

Hello,

The 49 0.323" bullets are actually pending a trade, but I'm trying to remember to whom! The man is moving to Indiana and we were going to trade when he got here. I just have to remember who and which forum!

If I cannot, then heck, I'd trade for 0.318" jacketed bullets, +/- $$$ as needed, of course.

Regards,

Josh