Got the Gewehr 88/05 out!

Hi all,

Finally got my Gewehr 88/05 out shooting. I've had it for a while now but I have somewhat sidetracked in getting it running again due to life. That and the need to do some research as this requires a special loading (i.e. highly not recommended to shoot factory 8mm Mauser out of it due to the different in diameter in the bore and the weakness of the action in general).

I used .321 dia 170grn bullets which fits my .3215 bore quite nicely (these bullets were intended for a .32 Winchester Special rifle). I also used about 40grns of IMR 3031, so this should be at somewhere around 2250-2300 ft/sec. Because it is a slightly heavier bullet and it isn't going anywhere near what it would have been going for the Patrone 'S' cartridge it actually doesn't require much holdover at 100m (I was aiming at the bottom of the black circle). Someone had also left some clays at the 100m and once I figured out where to aim I was hitting them with every shot.

The only issue was I had to single load them (which is safe for the rifle as the extractor feeds over the rim) as there wasn't enough neck tension to allow it to feed from the magazine without the bullet being crushed in, guess I will have to buy a 8mm Mauser crimp die.

Overall I think this rifle has a fair bit of potential and with this light loading there isn't much kick at all. Definitely a shame these rifles aren't very appreciated, however that makes them cheap for me!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ucqsb5ua-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...u9ezikzv-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dzgmjn7r-1.jpg

What caused the rifle to shoot so poorly ? At what range was that ? Were you using Speer bullets ? They are bad . I started using the Win spl bullets about 20 years ago , when everyone was still convinced all Gew-88's had .318 bores . I put the info out on the net back then and it slowly took hold . With a good rifle and load a Gew-88 should keep all the shots in the 10 ring on a target like that .

Well for starters I didn't have proper neck tension on the rounds so they weren't the best reloads there would have been variation in the OAL of the cartridge (since solved with a crimp die). Secondly it was at a 100m range with some hold under so not POI at the target. Thirdly I am not a very good shot as I don't spend much time shooting. My hobby is getting them running again and having fun when I do so. A better shot could likely do much better, but I don't have the time or patience to do so.

This does remind me I do have some more .321 bullets ready to go, might have to make up some more ammo and bring this out again.

What brand bullets did you use ?

To get proper neck tension for .321" bullets I left the expander plug out off the decapper rod.

For that round of loading I don't know it was a while ago. To be honest I don't care enough about load development to pay much attention to the bullet other than weight, diameter and style generally. Once I got a crimp die all the problems went away, the issues mainly being caused by the sharp feeding angle on the Gewehr 88/05, if it was a not as steep angle like a regular Mauser or something like that I am sure it would have had no issues.

Took the rifle out today for the first time in a while. After I figured out where I needed to aim to hit, as well as putting a aiming point on the target (that remains of a pink balloon at the bottom) I think I got a decent enough group for this 127 year old warhorse.

https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...2&d=1522019998

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eaglelord17

Took the rifle out today for the first time in a while. After I figured out where I needed to aim to hit, as well as putting a aiming point on the target (that remains of a pink balloon at the bottom) I think I got a decent enough group for this 127 year old warhorse.

https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...2&d=1522019998

---

My 88/05 shoots very similar to yours. A very nice bore. yProduction year1890.

Eaglelord17: If that was at 100yds, then it is a very good group for a military rifle with open sights!

100m with irons.

I unfortunately am not as good a shot as I used to be, but I might start doing it more to get better again.

Eagle, great outcome, well done. More importantly than the good shooting was you and the rifle were out having fun. :thup: