Turkey adopted the 8mm Mauser cartridge as part of its modernization after World War One, and with the assistance of German technicians developed a copy of the German 8mm S cartridge. Most of the surplus Turkish 8mm ammunition available in th eUNited States at this time is 1940s production, with this sample being dated 1941. It was packaged 1400 rounds to the crate, with 20 bandoliers per crate and 70 rounds per bandolier, on 5-round Mauser stripper clips.

This ammunition has a well-deserved reputation for damaging semiautomatic rifle and machine guns due to poor storage causing pressure to increase above original specifications.

Velocity:

I tested velocity using an 8mm Kar98k Mauser rifle (barrel length 23.6 inches). Measurements were taken at 10 feet from the muzzle, with a sample size of 15 rounds fired. I found an average velocity of 2948 fps, extreme spread of 72 fps (max 2905, min 2977), and standard deviation of 22.24 fps. None of the rounds exhibited any indication of hagnfires, but recoil was more intense than normal. Primers showed consistent cratering, and the rifle developed a crack in the wrist of the stock by the end of the test firing. This is definitely overpressure ammunition.

Bullets:

I tested the weight of 10 bullets using a calibrated Lyman electronic scale. I found an average weight of 154.3 grains, extreme spread of 2.4 grains (max 156.0 gr, min 153.6 gr), and standard deviation of 0.66 grains. Bullet construction is flat base with an open base, lead core, and a cupronickel jacket (these bullets do attract a magnet).

The primers are Berdan and corrosive. The cases are brass.

Raw data:

Velocities (fps): 2921, 2931, 2968, 2922, 2954, 2975, 2975, 2951, 2977, 2947, 2976, 2905, 2946, 2933, 2937

Bullet weights (grains): 154.3, 154.3, 154.7, 154.3, 153.7, 154.4, 153.6, 153.6, 156.0, 154.4