wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 3,390
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No guess but a nice-looking bear.
Experiences with 8MM's
- Thread starter 8MMX57JS
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Can't see the photos, so no guesses.
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- #66
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Close. 178kg= 392 lbs with guts and vitals removed. So live weight is guessed to be 415-420 lbs.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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That's great expansion from that e-tip at 2550 fps. What range did you shoot the bear from?A late season color phase black bear. Husqvarna 8x57 with irons. Bullet was recovered. 180gr Nosler E-tip all copper at 2550 fps. Recovered bullet weighed 179gr. So the plastic tip is what was loss.
Weighed the bear with vitals and guts removed. Any guesses for weight?
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- #68
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Under 25 yards. I would'nt use this bullet past 300 yards with that velocity, especially with the fact the the e-tip is a little harder than Barnes copper bullets.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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I believe you are in Canada. Do you have any experience with the for export only Hornady ECX 180 gr round nose 8mm? It is constructed from a copper alloy that is supposed to expand well at long ranges and moderate velocity.
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8MMX57JS
Beginner
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I haven't shot any game with the new ecx but do have a rifle set up with that bullet. I have used the older GMX bullet with good success though. I wish they kept the original shape as the B.C. of that bullet was .450ish if I recall. Makes for a better bullet at 300-400yards. The ecx and it blunt nose is for sure a close range bullet catered more so towards European style hunting (sub 200 yards).
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8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Threw a couple loads together for more testing. 170gr SST with 49.5gr of IMR 4895 out of my tikka 8x57. Averaged 2710 fps, so a mild load. Shot 1/2".
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- #72
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Also working on a new load with CFE223. Out of a 8x57 with a 24" barrel I did hit 3000 fps with a barnes TTSX 160gr, makes just shy of 3200 ft-lbs at the muzzle. So pretty much 7mm Rem Mag performance. 5 shot group averaged 1.25". Will play around with this load in hopes for 3/4"-1".
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 7,114
- 2,385
Looks like a couple of good spring bear loads there!
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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That's one highly versatile load right there!
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
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Good looking rounds!Also working on a new load with CFE223. Out of a 8x57 with a 24" barrel I did hit 3000 fps with a barnes TTSX 160gr, makes just shy of 3200 ft-lbs at the muzzle. So pretty much 7mm Rem Mag performance. 5 shot group averaged 1.25". Will play around with this load in hopes for 3/4"-1".
Makes me think that Guy would name that "Blue Thunder" or the "Blue Hammer", or something similar!
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- #76
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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I like that. Thanks for the idea, Blue Thunder it is!
Went back and loaded .5 grain more and groups closed up a bit, but perhaps that's also because I had less caffeine that day. Loaded up a few for spring bear, so for now I'm content with accuracy and more than happy with the velocity.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #77
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Can someone please run quickload so I can have an idea of pressure?
Barnes TTSX 160gr
COAL 3.00"
56 grains cfe 223
24" barrel.
I'm assuming I should be in the 60,000 PSI. No flattened primers, no heavy bolt lift. Tested in both 10deg C and 20 deg C.
Barnes TTSX 160gr
COAL 3.00"
56 grains cfe 223
24" barrel.
I'm assuming I should be in the 60,000 PSI. No flattened primers, no heavy bolt lift. Tested in both 10deg C and 20 deg C.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 38,204
- 8,321
Oh, yeah, that'll do for bear. Blue Thunder indicates bright lightning striking.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 38,204
- 8,321
Code:
Cartridge : 8 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .323, 160, Barnes 'TTSX' BT 30400
Useable Case Capaci: 57.649 grain H2O = 3.743 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.250 inch = 82.55 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Hodgdon CFE223 *C
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-10.0 87 50.40 2551 2313 34846 7437 90.2 1.334
-09.0 88 50.96 2581 2366 35974 7540 90.8 1.317
-08.0 89 51.52 2610 2421 37144 7641 91.4 1.299
-07.0 90 52.08 2640 2476 38354 7741 92.0 1.280
-06.0 91 52.64 2670 2532 39606 7838 92.5 1.261
-05.0 92 53.20 2699 2589 40901 7933 93.1 1.242
-04.0 93 53.76 2729 2646 42245 8026 93.6 1.224
-03.0 94 54.32 2759 2704 43635 8117 94.1 1.206
-02.0 95 54.88 2789 2762 45077 8205 94.6 1.189
-01.0 96 55.44 2818 2822 46571 8290 95.0 1.171
+00.0 97 56.00 2848 2882 48119 8373 95.5 1.154
+01.0 98 56.56 2878 2943 49723 8454 95.9 1.137
+02.0 99 57.12 2908 3004 51391 8531 96.3 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 100 57.68 2938 3066 53120 8605 96.7 1.104 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 101 58.24 2968 3129 54915 8677 97.1 1.088 ! Near Maximum !
+05.0 101 58.80 2997 3192 56779 8745 97.4 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 97 56.00 2933 3056 52979 8448 98.0 1.107 ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 97 56.00 2752 2691 43572 8186 91.9 1.206- Thread starter
- #80
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
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Thankyou! Much appreciated!
