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8mm Surplus Ammo Chronograph Results

All ammo was tested in 29inch barrel Turkish Type 1938 rifles in good condition. These results apply ONLY to the ammo tested. Your ammo may have different performance levels due to powder lot differences, storage differences, etc. Subjective observations of apparent pressure levels are included, however, you must make your own observations and determine whether the ammo is safe in your rifle. These results are not a recommendation to use this ammo, just the results of testing a few batches of available ammo. Many thanks to MHB on the Turkish Mauser Forum for providing most of this data.

The Turkish ammo closely resembles the 1916 version, German S cartridge which (according to Olson) has a muzzle velocity of 2936 fps from 29" barrel and pressure of 44,082 lbs/sq in. The Yugo ammo would duplicate the German sS cartridge for which Olson gives 2575 fps in 29" barrel and 46,926 lbs/sq in.

1936 Turkish Ball, 2 Clips

Clip 1: Average: 2960.4, ES 26

Clip 2: Average: 2965.8, ES 8

The only sign of high pressure being increased extraction effort on some rounds. Tested, 20 December 2001 (72 F). Note this ammo won't pass the magnet test. No splits or cracks!

1936 Turk - 8mm Mauser Ammo


1938 Turkish Ball, 2 Clips

2974 fps 3007 fps
2948 2945
2963 2980
2966 2972
2957 2949
26 fps extreme spread 62 fps extreme spread
2961 fps average velocity 2976 fps average velocity

No misfires, a few cracked necks, some body cracks. Pressure signs high-normal with primers showing little or no cratering and not flattened.

1938 Turk Ammo - Split Cases


1940 Turkish Ball, 4 Clips

Clip 1: high 3020 fps low 2954
Clip 2: high 3047 fps low 3011
Clip 3: high 3019 fps low 2993
Clip 4: high 3033 fps low 2984

No signs of excessive pressures, cracked necks, pierced primers or misfires.


Turkish Ball, 1941, 155gr

Turkish Ball, 1942, 155gr

3135fps 2984fps
3150 2984
3161 2975
3132 2980
3180 2972
48 fps Extreme Spread 12 fps Extreme Spread
3156 fps Average Velocity 2978 fps Average Velocity

Fired cases exhibited signs of high pressures


Turkish Ball, 1944, 155gr

Turkish Ball, 1945, 155gr

2826fps 3020fps
2805 3042
2802 2984
2849 3033
2814 2984
47 fps Extreme Spread 58 fps Extreme Spread
2825 fps Average Velocity 3003 fps Average Velocity
Fired cases exhibited signs of normal to high pressures Fired cases exhibited signs of high pressures

1946 Turkish Ball

Clip 1: high 3024 fps low 3010
Clip 2: high 3024 fps low 3002

4 cracked necks, primers quite flat and showed extrusion into the firing pin hole. Bolt lift was noticeably sticky. Case heads showed rub marks at the pressure ring due to case head expansion. Recommend avoiding this year of production.


1950 Turkish Ball, 2 Clips

3019 3015
3037 3008
3010 3015
3002 3011
3011 3009
35 fps extreme spread 7 fps extreme spread
3020 fps average velocity 3012 fps average velocity

4 cracked necks. Pressure signs were notably higher than the 1938 with all primers showing considerable flattening and all more or less cratered.


Turkish Ball, 1951

 (1951 ammo will pass the magnet test - no steel).
3048 fps
3060
3046
3061
3070
24 fps Extreme Spread
3058 fps Average Velocity
Fired cases exhibited signs of high pressures.
1951 Turk - 8mm Mauser Ammo

Yugo Ball, 1940, 199gr

Yugo Ball, 1954, 199gr

2388 fps 2491 fps
2386 2498
2366 2499
2357 2504
2369 2501
31 fps Extreme Spread 13 fps Extreme Spread
2373 fps Average Velocity 2498 fps Average Velocity
Fired cases exhibited signs of normal pressures Fired cases exhibited signs of normal pressures...Some leaky primers
Bullets pulled from 1940 and 1954 Yugo 8mm Mauser ammo. The three on the left are 1940 and the two on the right are 1954.
1940 and 1954 Yugo 8mm Mauser Bullets

Romanian Ball, 1974, 154 gr

2678 fps
2621
2619
2618
2622
60 fps Extreme Spread (first shot was a major flyer)
2632 fps Average Velocity
Fired cases exhibited no high pressure indicators.

Many shooters are using the Turkish ammo on a regular basis, and I am not aware of any reported "blow-ups" or damaged rifles. This doesn't mean that you will get the same results.