8mm Why ? Should I have one?

Andy said:
My own observation is that my 257 STW will out-do any 257 Wby by a significant margin, e.g. 3950 fps with a 100 gr bullet.
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Have no experience with the 257 STW, Andy.......can't comment. The 6.5 STW won't equal the 6.5X300 Wby, despite a slight powder capacity advantage........same barrel length and 120 fps short of the Wby.
 
I honestly don't know 1899, I suspect it has something to do with length of powder column and shoulder angle to bore dia......the 375 Wby and AI work as does the 340 Wby. If you think back all the calibers had been tried in full length cases right from the 40s but not one was SAAMI'd until the 8mm RM, which is now dead and still no others (except the 7 STW)..........I'm obviously not the first to observe this phenomenon, or we would have had a plethora of these cartridges during the 60s and 70s magnum crazy era.
 
I have found with the advent of some of the newer magnum powders that my full length mag rifles have stepped up their velocities a tad. I know my 8 RM (built on a Rem 700, can't recall the bbl maker at the moment) will push 220 gr Hornadys out at around 3100 fps. Same goes for the 7 STW, some of the new slower powders help it along. I know my 8x68 won't equal the 8 RM with equal bullet weights. I like that case though, and you're right, it just cries out for improving. I'll be interested in seeing what kind of velocities you can get out of that combination. - dan
 
dan belisle said:
I have found with the advent of some of the newer magnum powders that my full length mag rifles have stepped up their velocities a tad. I know my 8 RM (built on a Rem 700, can't recall the bbl maker at the moment) will push 220 gr Hornadys out at around 3100 fps. Same goes for the 7 STW, some of the new slower powders help it along. I know my 8x68 won't equal the 8 RM with equal bullet weights. I like that case though, and you're right, it just cries out for improving. I'll be interested in seeing what kind of velocities you can get out of that combination. - dan
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Yep Dan, the new powders could change all that I've previously experienced, the good news is there are new powders for the large capacity cases (as opposed to super large) which work better as well, RL 15 and 17 come to mind immediately. See now Dan that is the kind of performance I previously expected from the 8 mag, but couldn't get 3K with the one I built, just barely got 3K with 200s (24"tube). If I can get 3100 with 200s in my 68 imp case I'll be happy, should be very reasonable to do this as it has exactly the same capacity as the 300 WM and I can get over 3100 in my Wins with 200s and the 8 has .015" greater base dia...........I'm thinking RL 17 or possibly 19....IMR 7828 maybe......maybe even RL 22 or IMR 4831.
 
Okay boys my two Husqvarna 8X57s arrived today, nice 98 actions, 24" barrels wood appears to be beech but sold as walnut anyway they are untouched Husqvarnas. Now when I get my action wrench one is going to become my 8X68 imp and the other is in reserve for whatever strikes my fancy later. Neither has been drilled or tapped which I will do unless someone wants an original and has something to trade me for one or both.
The 8mm void if officially filled, necessary or not...................
 
Always been intrigued by the 8x68 deffinatly a classic ,havn't seen any projected #'s yet for the improved.Have a beauty 96M with a slim Prince of Whales stock (believe that's the correct name) and double set triggers- soft on the shoulder but anchors bears.
Not trying to derail a very interesting build thread but
-would a 96m action hold up to the high psi of an 8x68?
-the throat and mag on this rifle is already really long- I can seat bullets out quite far.
-is it just a pipe dream with a 96?
 
I personally would not screw an 8X68 barrel on a 96 action, there are a lot of variables and although the 96 has a good reputation I think it may sustain damage over time. I have heard of 96s setting lugs when chambered up to high intensity cartridges. I personally have never rebarreled a 96, played with several in 6.5X55 but never changed a barrel so I'm not really up on them.

Dan......I think I have only ever seen one factory 8X68 in my life, they sure aren't common in NA. This is one of the reasons that I've decided to go this way, that plus the 200+ new RWS cases I have are just crying out to meet powder and bullets. I may just turn this and my 9.3-300 into my 2 primary hunting rifles, good for any and all NA game without reservation. I may have to see if Marshal has 8mm dies and can make me a nice 210-220 gn RBT bonded bullet, should be the cats a$$ !!!!
The aesthetics of the 8X68 30 deg imp is also very nice, very good, balanced looking cartridge, and my 7mm fed like a charm from a 700 Rem that was previously a 7RM, no issues at all. I will most likely have to do some action rail work on the Husqvarna, and open the bolt face but it should be fairly simple.
 
Had a friend with a Heym from the factory in 8x68, years ago. Seen a few 98 based rifles over the years, som military surplus actions, some obviously commercial guns. I think Blaser and Steyr both chambered for it in Europe, I know Browning did, and I seem to recall some special order Wby Mk V rifles back in the early 70's. It is a versatile cartridge, ballistically the equal of a 300 Win Mag without the belt. - dan
 
I picked up a nice (extremely nice, to my pleasant surprise) Husqvarna M98 in 8mm last year. It is in near mint condition and easy to load for in that it shoots everything well. I am having a hard time finding that extra 1/10" of accuracy at 100 yards since everything from starting loads to max have proven to be almost identically accurate. There is a very good article on the 8mm here that will both enlighten and inspire one in their quest for a rifle chambered in the venerable 8mm JS. The ballistics, with handloads, are approaching, and in some cases surpassing, those of the 30-06. Components are readily available and priced similarly to any common North American cartridge. Mine is in the 'never sell' category.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/8x57JS+Mauser.html

Where did I purchase this beauty? TradeEx!! :)
 
Loving my CZ557 in 8x57. Accurate and feels good in the hands shooting stout Norma factory ammo! I better get set-up to reload 8x57 or I'll be broke soon! The rifle is looking like a keeper;
 
The Kurgan said:
Loving my CZ557 in 8x57. Accurate and feels good in the hands shooting stout Norma factory ammo! I better get set-up to reload 8x57 or I'll be broke soon! The rifle is looking like a keeper;
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Well I guess since it’s here I might as well say; I picked up an 8 x 57 late last year and I’m looking forward to getting it out soon.
 
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