The 8x57 round appeared in 1888, loaded with smokeless powder and a 227-grain RNFMJ bullet of ,318" diameter. This was the Infanterie-Patrone M.88, generally called the 7.9x57J.
It was replaced in production in 1904 by the pointed-bullet, lightweight Ball round of increased bullet diameter. This was the 7.92x57JS, the JS signifying Infanterie-patrone mit Sptzgeschoss: Infantry Cartridge with Pointed Bullet.
The HEAVY Ball loading came out about 1916 as an anti-Tank measure and originally was issued to Machine Gun crews only. It was NOT to be used in rifles but, as in any Army, everyone had a friend in the Machine Gun section and so clips of rounds found their way into pockets because everybody wanted a few rounds of anti-Tank ammunition. This used the 196-grain bullet and was called the 7.92x57JsS: Infanterie-Patrone mit schwerer Spitzgeschoss: Infantry Cartridge with Heavy Pointed Bullet.
Whe Hitler began rearmament, the JsS round was adopted as standard. Once the war got going, however, the desirability for a better AP loading manifested itself right along with severe shortages of critical materials. The result was 2 new loadings, both with STEEL cores: the 7.92x57 SmE and SmK series. The SmE (Stahl mit Eisern or Steel jacket with Iron core) cartridges used a MILD-steel bullet core, the SmK (Stahl mit Kern or Steel jacket with HARD CORE) used a HARDENED STEEL core for Armour-piercing use. This is the ammunition manufactured in huge quantity in WW2 and well after the war also. It is also what became the standard Yugoslavian loading. Bullets in this case are 178 grains.
It is ALL becoming difficult to find. Much of the Turkish ammunition of a few years ago was the original 1904 loading. The stuff was magnificent when it was made but Time had rendered many of the old primers more than a bit dodgy. I loaded a few rounds into FRESH primed casings for a test and discovered that I had THREE First World War rifles which would shoot an honest 1 MOA or very close to it!
For FRESH, ACCURATE, CHEAP ammunition, do try the Harris Universal Load. It is a 180-grain CAST bullet (wheelweight metal works fine) ahead of 13 (THIRTEEN) grains of Red Dot shotgun powder. Many rifles will turn in 2MOA or better with this loading (or something VERY close to it) at 100 metres and beyond. Nice point is that you can crank this stuff out, complete with an expensive Gas Check, for about 11 cents a round. If you want CHEAP, you can load without the Gas Check and be running your rifle at a DOZEN rounds to the Loonie. That is paying 1964 prices..... in 2014 phony 'dollars'..... and getting an INCH or a bit over with your Toys. The $25 Lee mould will turn out a good bullet, their $30 size/lube/gas-check seater does an excellent job also and comes with enough lube for close to 1000 slugs. You GET adequate accuracy, enough RANGE to snipe Gophers out to 300 metres, minimal recoil..... and almost an INFINITE barrel life.
No reason to let the old Mauser hang on the wall.
Cuddle her, clean her, take her out and FEED her; you will BOTH have fun!