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Mausers of Turkey and The Ottoman Empire |
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8mm Surplus Ammo Chronograph Results |
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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 ClipsClip 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!
1938 Turkish Ball, 2 Clips
No misfires, a few cracked necks, some body cracks. Pressure signs high-normal with primers showing little or no cratering and not flattened.
1940 Turkish Ball, 4 Clips
No signs of excessive pressures, cracked necks, pierced primers or misfires.
Fired cases exhibited signs of high pressures
1946 Turkish Ball
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
4 cracked necks. Pressure signs were notably higher than the 1938 with all primers showing considerable flattening and all more or less cratered.
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. |