8MM-06 & 8X64s hunting rifle projects/build >Update<

dgradinaru

dgradinaru

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So as of lately i have been accumulating dies, ammo, a reamer for a couple builds. I got a hold G.E. Flach to ream out one of my existing 8x57's to 8mm-06 and to try and build a 8x64S. Thought id start a thread about my journey in getting these built.

At the moment i plan on using a Zastava M70 for the 8mm-06 and a CZ 550/Winchester M70 for the 8x64. I'm having a hard time finding a good barrel blank or custom barrel made up for the 8x64. Any insight or information about such would be much appreciated.

Really looking forward at slinging out 200gr bullets at 2700-2800fps out of these rifles. Please feel free to share your experience with said cartridges.

Here's a side by side picture of the 8mm-06 and 8x64

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I've built rifles for the 8mm/06, 8x57, 8x68, 8x64, 8mm Gibbs and the 8x63 Swede.

When push comes to shove, and they are loaded to the same pressures, with the same bullets, near maximum, there is very little difference between them as far as accuracy/velocity goes.

The 8mm Gibbs and the 8x63 Swede have very similar case capacities. The Gibbs has a blown out 1 degree taper case, with the shoulder pushed forward, so has a bit more capacity

My favorite load, with 200grn spitzer flat base was 62 grains of IMR4350 over CCI 250 primers. velocities were pretty good, 2700+ out of a 25 inch barrel, on a surplus Czech K98.

The 8x57 on a 98 action, with original bbl, with 55 grains of IMR350 and 200 grain Nosler, gave just over 2500fps

The 8x63 Swede and 8mm-06 gave very similar velocities from 23.6 in bbl with the Nosler 200, around 2700 fps with stout loads of 56 grn IMR350 with good accuracy, from ER Shaw barrels. This load is very close to maximum.

The 8x64 was happy with the same load and it was right on maximum for my rifle as well, velocities were almost identical

The 8x68 is a whole different cartridge. It has more case capacity than the others and is easily capable of pushing 200grn bullets at 2900+ fps out of a 26 inch barrel, which is what my Mannlicher Shoenauer had.


My rifle was very strong and my favorite load for it was 78 grains of H4831 over CCI 250. This load would be considered to be over max for some actions.
 
I have my father's 8mm-06 that was a K98 Mauser that was reamed out. It was an absolute deer slayer with Nosler Partitions that my dad had reloaded for him. I like these threads as they renew my interest in the gun and caliber.
 
Iv rolled around reaming out my 8x57, but I've got buckets of 006 brass already cut to length and resized to 8x57. Too lazy to start over.
 
dgradinaru said:
So as of lately i have been accumulating dies, ammo, a reamer for a couple builds. I got a hold G.E. Flach to ream out one of my existing 8x57's to 8mm-06 and to try and build a 8x64S. Thought id start a thread about my journey in getting these built.

At the moment i plan on using a Zastava M70 for the 8mm-06 and a CZ 550/Winchester M70 for the 8x64. I'm having a hard time finding a good barrel blank or custom barrel made up for the 8x64. Any insight or information about such would be much appreciated.

Really looking forward at slinging out 200gr bullets at 2700-2800fps out of these rifles. Please feel free to share your experience with said cartridges.

Here's a side by side picture of the 8mm-06 and 8x64

esdFyla.jpg


iVSXfW5.jpg
Click to expand...

Both great projects. I have bought a number of Husqvarna M98 Commercial rifles from Tradeex, all with great bores and extremely reasonable in price. 8x57, 9.3x62 and 30-06.
One 8x57 remains original, but I had another re-chambered in 8mm-06AI. Performance gains over the 8x57 are not great, but the 8mm-06AI shines when using heavier bullets in the 200-220 grain range. Also, there is the "cool" factor. Whether you choose to re-chamber in standard 8mm-06 or the AI version is a personal choice, only a small difference in performance between the two.
I doubt you will see any real difference in performance between the 8mm-06 and the 8x64S. Not to suggest you shouldn't continue with both projects. I see you have a decent stock of brass and a set of dies, so go for it.
Keep us posted Daniel....
 
D-Man said:
Both great projects. I have bought a number of Husqvarna M98 Commercial rifles from Tradeex, all with great bores and extremely reasonable in price. 8x57, 9.3x62 and 30-06.
One 8x57 remains original, but I had another re-chambered in 8mm-06AI. Performance gains over the 8x57 are not great, but the 8mm-06AI shines when using heavier bullets in the 200-220 grain range. Also, there is the "cool" factor. Whether you choose to re-chamber in standard 8mm-06 or the AI version is a personal choice, only a small difference in performance between the two.
I doubt you will see any real difference in performance between the 8mm-06 and the 8x64S. Not to suggest you shouldn't continue with both projects. I see you have a decent stock of brass and a set of dies, so go for it.
Keep us posted Daniel....
Click to expand...

Only reason why im looking to go this route is to have something different and keep life spiced up. Im a 8mm bore fan so it makes sense for me. Im hoping for an honest 100-150fps over the 8x57.

My current loads out of my Zastava m70 with a 22 inch barrel runs a norma 196gr plastic point at 2550 fps and shoots sub moa. Im sure i could push it another 50 feet but at accuracy loss. My experience with a 24 inch barrels vary from 2575-2650fps depending on rifle. Even had one pushing 2700 fps with a like new military post war k98k, backed the load back to 2650.

Re 17 looks very promising in the 8mm-06/8x64. Data from heavy 30-06 loads and 338-06 show that a 200gr can easily make 2700 fps and a 220/225gr 2600fps. So im sure these two cartridges should be open there depending on rifle.
 
dgradinaru said:
Only reason why im looking to go this route is to have something different and keep life spiced up. Im a 8mm bore fan so it makes sense for me. Im hoping for an honest 100-150fps over the 8x57.

My current loads out of my Zastava m70 with a 22 inch barrel runs a norma 196gr plastic point at 2550 fps and shoots sub moa. Im sure i could push it another 50 feet but at accuracy loss. My experience with a 24 inch barrels vary from 2575-2650fps depending on rifle. Even had one pushing 2700 fps with a like new military post war k98k, backed the load back to 2650.

Re 17 looks very promising in the 8mm-06/8x64. Data from heavy 30-06 loads and 338-06 show that a 200gr can easily make 2700 fps and a 220/225gr 2600fps. So im sure these two cartridges should be open there depending on rifle.
Click to expand...

a friend of us was using with tig/tug brenneke bullet but european powder. as the 8x57js was prohibited in those days and the 8x60s was so so the answer for the french market was the 8x64s. i shot one chamois with that great caliber my other ones with 7x64. both great caliber.

best of luck for those projects.
 
dan belisle said:
I've had a few 8mm's. From the original, through the 8x60, 8mm-06, 8mm-06 AI (Still have one of those), 8mm Gibbs, 8mm PPM, 8 Rem Mag (Still have that one too), 8x68, and an 8mm-378 in my Askins reading days. It really is a useful bore. - dan
Click to expand...

Charles Askins was the 8mm's greatest advocate. You are not the only one whom he obviously got their attention.

Not a bad thing at all. It is, indeed, a very useful bore.

Merry Christmas to both you Dans. :)
Ted
 
Update on my 8mm-06 Project done up by G.E. Flach.

8x57 JS Zastava M70 with 24 Inch barrel reamed out to 8MM-06
Free floated, bedded, fitted in a bell and carlson stock
Hand crafted barrel band, front, and rear sights by G.E. Flach
Barreled action re-blued

Put some talley rings and a Leupold VX II 3-9x40. Need to put some loads together for spring bear. Quick load estimates 200gr Speer hotcor with RE17 @ 2800 fps

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Nice!! Projects such as yours always get a gunnut's blood moving, lol.

The 8mm rifles have been minimized on this side of the pond for far too long. It is a great
bore size. I have: 8x57, 325 WSM and the 8mm Rem Mag to play with. The 325 and the 8 mag
have taken game, this 8x57 has not, but I shot a couple of moose with a previous 8x57.
Very effective on game with any decent bullet.

My 8x57 makes very close to 2650 with the 196 grain bullets, the 325 is flirting with 3000,
and the "big" 8 makes almost 3300 with the 200 [I shoot only A-frames in this rifle, since
they tend to hold up at those speeds.] I would have little fear tackling any NA game animal
with these 8mm rifles. Dave.
 
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