According to a couple of books I have around here, a new miltary barrel will usually produce 2"or so groups @100 yds handloading will get you to that point, surplus ammo isn't the best around, God knows what kind of components were used and who knows how they were stored over the last 50 or so years, and let's not forget that ALL of the 8mm surplus is corrosive, New store bought 8mm is usually loaded pretty wimpy,(ammo Mfg's afraid of lawsuits because of so many Mausers around,about 125 million, est, and not all are fit to shoot, but some people do it anyway) loaded properly, it is as good as a 30-06, and will do anything a '06 will, Serria just introduced a 200 gr. BTHP for 8mm, should be a fine bullet to shoot, my M-48 shoots well with 150 gr Hornady SP's IMR 4064-IMR 3031 are good powders for the 8mm, Roll your own for your M-48, and it may surprize you!