8mm loads for hog hunting?

Take a look at this sight. I can’t vouch for the info, but they do list some “different” loads. This sight shows some 8mm Mauser loads using: Alliant Unique and Alliant Herco to achieve lower velocity rounds. Both of these powders are usually associated with being shotgun and pistol powders. The two problems I would concern myself with these loads are: 1. High pressures and 2. All three of the low velocity loads call for 10 grains of the afore mentioned powders. I would be concerned about uniform powder ignition, from round to round, due to the low volume of powder in the case.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/reloading...

Another way to address your wife’s shoulder problem is to change what she shoots. Several guys at my gun club, who have shoulder problems for various reasons, have started hunting with a Remington XP-100 or a Savage Striker. While they admit that their ability to make a standing, unsupported shot is not as good; they say that when using a rest or bipod, they are just as good as rifles. These guns are out of production, but are available in a wide variety calibers, on the used firearms market.

When I was working up some various loads for my mauser years ago, I found some Hornady 125 grain spire points. I could load these up to max pressures, and due to the lighter bullet, the recoil was very mild. They worked well on whitetails but tore up the meat a bit. Working the powder loads a bit, they were remarkably accurate in my 98. Since then, I have switched to the 150 grain spire points, and still find using full loads quite mild compared to the 220 grain mil. surplus ammo. I I was using 51 grains of IMR 4350 and making some half grain adjustments. I would have to dig out my book to remember the exact grains I ended with. Another possibility is that much of the regular (non-premium) ammo available for the 8mm is only loaded to about 30,000psi as opposed to the max of 50,000. This puts it on par with something like a 30-30 as opposed to a 30-06. Maybe some of that would be more reasonable.

Try the .32 Winchester special 170 grain bullets, crimp groove works in 8mm case, bullet is nominal .321 compared to Mauser nominal .323. Load of 25 grains 3031 or somewhere around that- check reload manual for 30-30 load and reduce 10% to start, may need a cotton ball under bullet- old Speer manual as near as I can remember . Other load maybe cast lead 210/225 grain deep seat with .44 mag load- about 1300 fps- was a small game cheap target load in old Lyman (?) manual. .**found the old Speer manual and scribbled notes. 30 grains 4064 or 3031 with the 170 grain .32 bullet, noted for use in G88 with the Mannlicher clip as a light/medium deer load in antique with S bore.**

Sounds like a round that weight in that fps range of 8mm caliber would work on hog if it isn't too soft. Why don't you try it out?

H