The 8MM Mauser ( 8x57JS) ain't no slouch *Update: Bear Down!*

I'm not understanding the difficulty some on this thread say they are having with finding .323 bullets. They are available in most decent gun shops in various weights, shapes and manufacturers. If you live in a remote area, perhaps they are not readily available at the corner store, but try online. Tradeex has .318 bullets by Woodleigh, also a number of choices in .323.
 
Ardent said:
dgradinaru good stuff, you're subscribed to 8mm like I am to 7mm. Kind of handy picking one bore diameter and making the most use of it possible, you should check out the .325 WSM or 8mm Rem Mag for amusement. My busy choices are 7mm and .375, and at 8mm and with a Rem Mag in the safe you could cover both those bases for North American purposes.
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I already have a couple bigger 8mm's: 325 wsm and 8x60. Not to mention a gun safe full of other nice rifles like 243 win, 7x64, 30-06, 300 Win Mag , 9.3x62 , 9.3x74r and a 375 H&H. Most of the platforms mentioned are in my preferred rifle type action; control feed mauser style. Winchester m70 ' s , zastava ' s, Ruger m77 and cz 550's....funny thing is at the end of the day I still go and grab my 8x57 's to do the job. I don't feel under gunned and would not hesitate to tackle all of the NA game with a 200 partition at 2600 fps.
 
Glad I stumbled across this thread.

I'm interested in the 8mm (8x57js) for hunting as a I have a few in mil-surp. A couple of questions, though:

1. Do you have to hand load to get the most potential out of the 8x57js? I've read that North American commercial ammo is somewhat under-powered for the 8x57js due to .318 vs.323 bores;
2. If I have to use commercial ammo, would the European loadings (ie Norma) be better considering question 1?
 
Jmac604 said:
Glad I stumbled across this thread.

I'm interested in the 8mm (8x57js) for hunting as a I have a few in mil-surp. A couple of questions, though:

1. Do you have to hand load to get the most potential out of the 8x57js? I've read that North American commercial ammo is somewhat under-powered for the 8x57js due to .318 vs.323 bores;
2. If I have to use commercial ammo, would the European loadings (ie Norma) be better considering question 1?
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It is not underpowered due to the bore diameters, it is underpowered due to the old versus modern action strengths. Modern actions have been designed with tolerances for higher pressures. Due to the influx of mil-surp imports ammunition manufacturers bow to liability and reduce factory loadings.
 
Jmac604 said:
Glad I stumbled across this thread.

I'm interested in the 8mm (8x57js) for hunting as a I have a few in mil-surp. A couple of questions, though:

1. Do you have to hand load to get the most potential out of the 8x57js? I've read that North American commercial ammo is somewhat under-powered for the 8x57js due to .318 vs.323 bores;
2. If I have to use commercial ammo, would the European loadings (ie Norma) be better considering question 1?
Click to expand...

Yes - Its best to reload for the 8 mm. However, most of the reloading data suffers from anemia as well. You have to know where to look...
 
D-Man said:
I'm not understanding the difficulty some on this thread say they are having with finding .323 bullets. They are available in most decent gun shops in various weights, shapes and manufacturers. If you live in a remote area, perhaps they are not readily available at the corner store, but try online. Tradeex has .318 bullets by Woodleigh, also a number of choices in .323.
Click to expand...

Likely my newbie status as a reloader. I guess I just don't know where to look. Thanks for the help. On tradex site right now in another window....(found 'em)
 
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I think the 8mm is somewhat neglected in North America. Those of us who have one or more 8mm's appreciate this bullet diameter.
The 8x57 will do anything a 30-06 will do, and will drive similar weight bullets to almost the same velocities.
I have a 700 Classic so chambered, and have shot several black bears and 2 moose with it. The 200 Partition or accubond are both
very persuasive when placed correctly. They can be driven to 2650 or so in a strong 8x57. The 180 Ballistic tip is also quite sturdy
in the 8mm Diameter, and I have had passthroughs on 2 large Black bear with this bullet. MV - 2750, using VV N550.
I also own an 8mm Rem Mag. With powders available today, this orphan has finally come of age. How about a 220 A-Frame or Woodleigh at 3100 fps?
Or a 200 Accubond or Partition at 3250? I have not shot anything with this rifle yet, but I hear an Elk calling to me this fall. Since big bears are
often in the same areas, that big 8 with a 220 A-Frame will be comforting to have along. :) Regards, D.
 
What kind of point blank effective range can one expect with a 200gr Partition in 8x57? Is the trajectory good enough for 300m shots without too much holdover?
 
mosinmaster said:
What kind of point blank effective range can one expect with a 200gr Partition in 8x57? Is the trajectory good enough for 300m shots without too much holdover?
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The 200 Partition, driven to 2600 or a bit more will reach 300 with ease. If you sight in 2.5" high at 100, you will only be about 8" low at 300, an easy to do feat. Plenty of energy left. D.
 
No trick to have a 200gr do 3000fps out of an 8 x 68S. I get 2650fps for 195gr Hornadys out of my 8 x 64S. I could undoubtedly get a higher velocity for the 8 x 64S, but why? The 8 and 9.3mm are by far my favorite bullet diameters.
 
Bear Down today being June 17/2017, The Lords blessing! and biggest Boar to date, from back foot to front foot 7ft on the dot, or back foot to nose 6ft 6inches. Saw him around 120 yards and disappeared, stalked in to about 80 yards and I gained sight of him again, one shot from my 8x57 ( 8MM mauser ) with 170gr @ 2790 fps is all it took. Dropped on the spot and stayed there. Bullet impacted his neck and exited. Great performance from the good ole Husqvarna 8x57!!





 
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