A few years back I was gifted a Mauser model 1888 that had been converted from .318 to .323. It's my understanding that I don't want to use full 8X57 loads in this gun because the action is not of sufficient strength. was under the impression that 8X57s could be loaded down to apprx 30-30 velocities and these could be used in this rifle. I was once told there were some loads in "Cartriages of the world" but I haven't been ab to check that out yet. Does anyone have any info on these loads? Thanks.

mcduff,
If you are sure it has a .323" bore diameter, then light loads may be OK if a competent gunsmith cchecks out the rifle to verify it is safe. I have an 1888 and would shoot it with light loads or cast bullets. Check out the reloading manuals and IMR 4895 is very forgiving when using reduced loads.

Most American-made 8x57mm factory ammo is loaded light because of the older 8mm rifles still in use. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

In fact, most load data is pretty mild, so just check the manuals and see what you find. Read the fine print to see if it's "general" or for "modern actions" and anyway the velocities listed will be your clue.

I've chrono'd the factory Remington and Winchester 8mm ammo, and a 170gr. bullet yields about 2200 fps or so in barrels between 24" and 29."

So if there is any doubt I'd just stick to the factory ammo. Yeah do slug it to be sure.... shouldn't take but a minute to verify the groove diameter.

If it is an M88/05 or an M88/14, it will be an "S" bore. Both these rifles have charger guides added to the receiver, and a sheet metal cover over the bottom of the magazine. Usually there will be a large "S" stamped on the barrel shank as well. If there is not, be sure to either check the throat and bore yourself, or have a knowledgable gunsmith check it for you.
US SAAMI spec amunition is loaded at levels that are safe in Gew. 88s. I believe almost all the data in the Lyman manuals is at the same level, and is usable in these rifles. Most other manuals are for 1898 and modern sporting rifles ONLY, with an "S" bore.

Gentlemen,
Thanks for these responses. I should have noted that it has been determined that the bore diameter of this rifle is .323 and has all of the appropriate markings. The rifle is in very good shape. Any othe comments are appreciated.

McDuff,

Hope you see this since it has been so long since the original post. Not trying to be argumentative, but has the bore been slugged? I ask this since I also have an 1888 Turkish Mauser with "all the proper markings" indicating it has been converted to S-bore. It has the large S on the ring and the notch in the ring for the spitzer bullet point. The problem is that I have slugged it and the bore is .318!

One common mistake people make is thinking an "S" makes it .323, The S only signifies it was upgrades for Spitzer bullet, from RN lead. Same as a M95 Steyr is marked "S" for re-chambering to 8x56r spitzer, from 8x50r (RN). Without having the bore slugged, I would not use .323 bullets, only .318. A .323 bullet, is still to large for a .318 bore, even w/ reduced loads the rifle will take massive stress.
Midway sells a kit to slug the bore. Better safe than sorry, nice '88 commission rifles are hard to come by. JP

I believe Speer recommends using the starting load as max
in these old rifles provided of course they are in good shape

jpattersonnh,

Just to be argumentative, the "S-bore" does represent .323. While there are bullets we would designate as spitzer in both diameters, in this case the distinction is supposed to designate conversion. Aside from the rimmed variant, there are two basic 8x57 cartridges. The first is the 8x57 I (Infanterie), which is the original .318 loading. The second, 8x57 IS (Infanterie Spitzgeschosse) is the .323, and most common variant. The S on the ring of the 1888 is supposed to indicate conversion to the 8x57 IS cartridge which had not only a larger diameter bullet, but the overall length was greater also.

Thanks, You learn something new every day. I thought the chambers were J & JS.
They are! In the U.S.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_mm_Mauser

But, I still would not fire a Commission rifle with even under powered modern ammo. See 1888 Commission on next link!

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/mauserman454/

Notice, This Upgraded '88 has no "S"

http://www.collectorssource.com/category.asp?catid=11

The I (J) Is longer, not the IS (JS)

Do what you want, I would spend the $25.00 and slug the bore. Better safe than sorry! JP

Thanks, You learn something new every day. I thought the chambers were J & JS.
They are! In the U.S.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_mm_Mauser

But, I still would not fire a Commission rifle with even under powered modern ammo. See 1888 Commission on next link!

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/mauserman454/

Notice, This Upgraded '88 has no "S"

http://www.collectorssource.com/category.asp?catid=11

The I (J) Is longer, not the IS (JS)

Do what you want, I would spend the $25.00 and slug the bore. Better safe than sorry! JP

My original point is to be sure of what you have! The example was that the markings, while specific as to intent, do not always indicate the specified modifications have actually been done. And the only reason the cartridge is calles J or JS in the US is due to mis-understanding what the actual letter is, since a German I appears to those unknowing to be a J. That doesn't make it right, or change the meaning of the letters. This is akin to the English usage in the 18th century of what appears now to us to be "f", when the actual letter is "s", as in the Declaration of Independence in the introductory phrase "in Congrefs (read Congress) assembled".

This is just my memory from when I took up the 8x57 in the early ‘70’s. The conversion of the .318 to .323 was not full but rather a ‘free boring/swaging’ of inches; most of the length of the ‘converted’ barrels is .318; the thinking was that swaging the .323 down over inches was a safe practice. Stating my memory, not stating it is fact; going back too many years.

Saw this thread last weekend and pm’d mcduff my pet load. Have not received response and don’t know how to tell whether he’s opened it.