Back Online With My Big 8

[bullet]

I just could not take it anymore not having my 8mm Rem Mag up and running so I decided to do some work and if I messed it up my gunsmith was going to get the chance to straighten it out.

First: I did a little more sanding work on my full stock bedding I attempted with my wood stock. I was able to get everything really snug.

Second: I did a little more lapping of the muzzle bore area trying not to destroy the crown and final muzzle area as I remove a good deal of the rust pits.

Third: I decided to change scopes using a Redfield with Accu-Trac and also used Talley one piece rings.

Fourth: Since I am only hunting hogs and deer right now I decided to use IMR4350 instead of IMR7828 and Rem 9 1/2M primers, behind a 220gr SBT so I could lower my velocities to 2800fps or a little above matching to a "T" the Accu-Trac on a 4-12x40mm Redfield still giving me 3945ft pounds of energy at muzzle and 2033ft pounds at 500yds, with a 2.1 inch high sight-in at 100yds and as I said matching the Accu-Trac marks on my scope.

Average velocity

First group 1.073"

Second group 0.973"

Up And Running (not a target rifle but good enough for hunting)

 

[nvbroncrider]

Cool. That thing is shooting pretty well. Looks like you still want to do some field testing.

 

[bullet]

Cool. That thing is shooting pretty well. Looks like you still want to do some field testing.

Yep it is going to the field with me Monday and then the following week. :mrgreen:

 

[FOTIS]

No animal can tell the difference.

 

[DrMike]

That'll do, Mike.

 

[bullet]

No animal can tell the difference.

Yes, no animal can tell the difference, and it won't matter on deer and hogs, but if you don't mind I will hit a big brown with the 220gr A-Frame, because I can tell the difference between making the trip home and being eaten. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[bullet]

That'll do, Mike.

Yes Doc, it will certainly do and that 1/2" more accuracy I usually get with my other rifles, the hitting force of the Big 8 will make up the difference :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[FOTIS]

Dis you just polish the barrel or cut it?

 

[bullet]

Dis you just polish the barrel or cut it?

I spent days slowly and with meticulous care polished that barrel with slightly more attention to the end of the muzzle. Had no idea anything I was trying would work. :mrgreen:

 

[FOTIS]

Did you try it out with your original hot loads?

 

[bullet]

Did you try it out with your original hot loads?

Yes, and they were just like these groups with the largest being 1.268" and those were five shot groups, but I lowered my velocity to match my Accu-Trac and also the Sierra Game King 220gr SBT function best at 2800-2900fps or less and for what I am hunting I am way over powered with this reduced load.

 

[FOTIS]

Cool....

 

[bullet]

Cool....

Yeah, I thought you would appreciate me posting this thread and knowing that the Big 8 was doing its job. It has been and experience but I have always gained something when extra effort of any kind was needed to get something to preform. This spring I will experiment with Accubonds and Partitions again along with TTSX.

 

[JD338]

Very nice Mike.

JD338

 

[bullet]

I have decided to back off my max load of IMR7828 and drop one grain which will give me around 2950-2970fps and this I all ready know is a very accurate load and this means that I only sight in at 2.0" at 100 and that put me exactly on the Acuu-Trac settings and give me a good balance between the 2842fps (IMR4350 load) and the 3009fps (IMR7828 max load) and is actually more accurate than the 3009fps load. This will give me 4252ft pounds of energy at muzzle and still 2121ft pounds at 500yds. Lots of power and lots of reach especially with the Accu-Trac. I will fire sight in rounds tomorrow morning early before the wind gets above 12 mph.

 

[Greg Nolan]

The 8 Mag is an awsome round and you have it shooting real nice. That should take some game for you.

 

[bullet]

Yes, can't wait to try it on game and hope I get a chance this year to do so before the season ends for me.

 

[russ808]

Mike,
Thats minute of pig. Go get some buddy. Good hunting.
Russ

 

[bullet]

Mike,
Thats minute of pig. Go get some buddy. Good hunting.
Russ

Thanks russ, it sure won't be because of a lack of trying.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Bullet, that's a great looking rifle, chambered for an awesome cartridge!
I occasionally wonder, why the 8mm RM wasn't far more popular?
It has a lot going for it!!!
A good mate of mine (Dudley Nicol, recently deceased), had two 8mm Rem Mags, both Rem 700 BDL's.

Bullet, whatever you do, don't read the derogatory BS that's written about this cartridge, in shooting magazines etc!
Just go out and shoot some animals, they don't read magazines!!!

Doh!
Homer