103 years old and still shoots

[Ben Lamb]

Back story here

Many thanks to Tarheel for helping find the right information on the Rifle! This 103 year old rifle is one step closer to getting in rotation for the season. I'm going to get a taller front sight and then it should be done.

2 inches at 100 yards w/ a 196 grain RN @ 2100 fps. Iron sights are 7 inches low from POI.

There is some throat erosion probably due to use of corrosive primers back in the day. Still, 2 inches at 100 yards w/ open sights is not too bad for an old rifle.

 

[1_pointer]

Cool. Looks like a trim rifle. What is it? I like it whatever it is. I'm thinking I'll be taking on a similar type project once my boys get of hunting age.

 

[Ben Lamb]

It's an 1888 Commission rifle (commercial) in 8x57J. Was passed down by my father. Neat rifle. Lighter than my featherweight model 70. Probably right at 7.5 pounds.

The action is not as strong as a 98 Mauser, so I'll be using lower pressure loads. An 8mm mauser in a 98 is a pretty impressive round once you start loading it to it's potential.

 

[noharleyyet]

Ben is that a mag release in front of the set trigger?

 

[Ben Lamb]

The rifle uses en-bloc clips to load and has a trap door to eject the clip. The button in front of the trigger is part of the trap door mechanism, near as I can tell.

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for the info! Even loaded to the actions limitations, I can't imagine it still wouldn't work on just about anything in MT.

 

[Ben Lamb]

If I can get the sights dialed in perfect, I could see taking this for some walks in the deep woods looking for mulies and elk.

She'll be on the whitetail hunt opening week for sure.

 

[Rat Fink]

Good looking rifle Ben. Next time you head to the range let me know. I have 3 rifles that need a quick check and a full sight in process on my new .243. Would be fun to go shoot and grab a beer on the way home.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Dustin,

I've got some load development I need to do for my 06 so hopefully sometime this week for sure.

 

[Rat Fink]

I'm headed back out for elk on Friday. So Wednesday or Thursday would work for me. Let me know if it fits your schedule.

 

[kiwi hunta]

If it dont work send it to me lovely ol' rifle

Jeff

 

[Ben Lamb]

She shoots alright. Finished load development w/ the little carbine and we're dead on at 100. Had the smith change out the front sight w/ one that brought the POA inline with POI. Load is 45 grns of RL15 under a 200 grn Woodliegh Weldcore bullet for approx. 2100 fps (there's a huge velocity loss w/ the 18.5 inch barrel). Shooting at 1 inch w/ express sights at 50 yards, and about 1.5 inches at 100 yards.

She's first in the line up for opener.

 

[tarheel]

It's an 1888 Commission rifle (commercial) in 8x57J.

So Ben; you did determine that it was a J instead of a JS. Did you get the barrel slugged?

Make sure you keep the loads down; you wouldn't want to fluff that old girl's skirt, and you certainly don't want a third eye. RT

 

[Ben Lamb]

Didn't need to slug the bore. Proof and maker's marks on the rifle indicated the .318 bore as most of Haenel's were for the 8x57I cartridge rather than the JS. Plus, accuracy w/ the /318's is perfect.

I worked up the load delicately, and actually hit 46 grains, but was getting some primer flow and pressure signs (no sticky bolt though) and backed it down to 45 grains. Accuracy w/ all loads was superb, so I went with regulating the load to the open sights.

Weldcores are supposed to work between 1900 fps and 2900 fps. I'm hoping I don't drop down below 1900 fps before I get to my comfort level w/ irons (150 yards). 2100 fps w/ a heavy bullet should be alright. We'll know more about terminal performance after this weekend. One thing is for sure, Woodleigh makes a gorgeous and accurate bullet.

 

[tarheel]

Weldcores are supposed to work between 1900 fps and 2900 fps. I'm hoping I don't drop down below 1900 fps before I get to my comfort level w/ irons (150 yards). 2100 fps w/ a heavy bullet should be alright. We'll know more about terminal performance after this weekend. One thing is for sure, Woodleigh makes a gorgeous and accurate bullet.

Glad it's working out well for you. I have a box of Sierra 220gr BTSP's that work well in my 8mm-06. They stabilize well at the slower speeds, and at the ranges encountered when hunting the black timber, an elk can't tell the difference with a few hundred less fps versus a belted cannon.

I like shooting the old iron with some history attached. I just picked up a 6.5 Arisaka carbine manufactured in the teens, cleaned and polished off a coating of powder rust where it had been standing in a closet for donkey's years.The bore came out nice and shiny, and it's going to the range Saturday with my 1916 .303 Smellie and a 1934 Mauser .22 trainer. It's "take the old folks to the range" day.

Hope you connect with a nice whitetail.