8X63 Swedish Range Report
Andy_P
Gunboards Premium Member
Canada
140 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2004 : 4:04:42 PM
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Also posted under "Reloading Handloader's Digest"
Last winter I bought several thousand rounds of Marstar's "Reloader Special" (
www.marstar.ca/ammo/792x63mm.htm) at $89.95/1000 plus taxes. The ammo is intended to be used for salvage of the powder and bullets, but that's extremely cheap shooting if you have a gun that can shoot it.
So I bought a reamer from Clymer, and had a gunsmith rechamber my Model 1938 Turk Mauser to 8X63 Swedish. I chose the Turk because it was cheap, is strong, has a long action. and a 29.5 inch barrel. I figured I would then see just what this round can do. The 218 gr bullets are a tad long (0.125 inch ) to fit in the mag, so it's single shot for now with the 218's
The 8X63 was never chambered as a sporting rifle, rather was the Swede's machinegun round (although they did rechamber some K98 Mausers to this cartridge), from about 1932-1990. Martsar claims that two other guys in Canada have chambered guns for this round - I guess that I am the first to publicize it, at least on this forum.
It will hold about 73.6 grains of water, which is about 5% more than the 8mm-06 and 15% more than the 8mm Mauser (8X57) - 8mm Gibbs territory. I will use 8mm-06 loads as a guide as I develop loads for it.
I shot about 10 "factory" rounds on Saturday. Marstar claims it will do 3150 fps with the 218 gr bullet, which I knew was utter nonsense, and I got a very consistent 2500 fps (+/- 20 fps) from the Turk's 29.5 inch barrel - not bad for 60 year old powder and primers. I will do up some loads with 170, 200 and the 218 gr bullet and think that H-414 might be the ticket.
Suggested loads to try?
I will post more info in the future.
www.8mmARPWildcat.pridham.ca
www.8x63swedish.pridham.ca
coyote
Gunboards Member
USA
18 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2004 : 11:59:05 PM
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I do not have any load data for you to try, but I will try out the 8x63 that I have this year, hopefully in a couple of months. In 30-06, 53.2grs of H414 under a 168HPBT is a real winner. In 6.5x55, 40.5grs of the same under a 139/140gr bullet is real sweet. Besides, I love H-414. In Olson's book a 219gr bullet goes at 2525 fps so you're right on. Anyway, I'll post with anything that I find out.
Reeve
Big Pete
Gunboards Premium Member
Canada
167 Posts
Posted - 03/30/2005 : 6:49:51 PM
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Hi Andy
I picked up a Brno 8x57S model ZKK-600 rifle the other day. You will love the fact that the mag is longer than the 8x63 round by as much as 1/32" So... I have been thinking of rechambering the rifle? What sort of pressures am I looking at? Is it much different from the 8x57 round?
Any luck with making brass so it can be boxer primed?
Big Pete
Gunboards Premium Member
Canada
167 Posts
Posted - 03/31/2005 : 08:31:54 AM
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quote:
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Originally posted by Big Pete
I picked up a Brno 8x57S model ZKK-600 rifle the other day. You will love the fact that the mag is longer than the 8x63 round by as much as 1/32" So... I have been thinking of rechambering the rifle? What sort of pressures am I looking at? Is it much different from the 8x57 round?
Any luck with making brass so it can be boxer primed?
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The Mag clearance in the Brno is actually 1/8" + the full lenght of the 8x63 cartridge.
Andy_P
Gunboards Premium Member
Canada
140 Posts
Posted - 04/15/2005 : 7:12:21 PM
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Yes I have made boxer-primed 8x63mm Swedish from 9.3x62 - see my updated website.
Pressures should be kept the the same as for the 8x57, but you will be using more powder, hence more velocity. I have included some loads as well.
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Andy
Since 1958
www.8mmARPWildcat.pridham.ca
www.8x63swedish.pridham.ca
