8x57 / 338-06

The "Federal" cartridge is a 338-08, not a 338-06.

A 8mm bullet is closer to a 30 calibre bullet than a .338. and in real-world performance the 8x57 produces results very similar to the 300 Savage which is not a bad thing by any means.

The 338 Federal will pack a bit more "punch" than the 8x57 but most animals will not notice the difference.
 
I think you'll find that the factory loaded 8x57 is loaded to very low pressures, but in a strong action and some handloads it would be very comparable to the 308/30-06 class of cartridges.

Practically speaking, I don't think there would be a whole lotta diff between the 338Federal and handloaded 8x57.



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yeah, handloads or euro factory loads with the 8x57 are exactly equal with the 30-06.

Actually, during ww-II, the 8x57 with the 150 grainer was actally *faster* than the US 30-06 due to superior German powder technology.
 
Id rather have a 338 Federal, as there is more bullet options between 180 & 225 grain in 338, compared to 8mm
 
"A 8mm bullet is closer to a 30 calibre bullet than a .338."

Fifteen thou either way, so that's a wash. The X57 cases have slightly more case capacity then the 308 sized cases, but not much. As mentioned, Euro spec ammo is much hotter then ours, which is loaded so uncle Elmer's WW1 parts gun he got from great uncle Bubba who liberated it from a german nurse won't blow up. Seriously, there are more bullet choices in 338 then 323, but not that many. I prefer the 8x57, but your milage may vary. - dan
 
todbartell said:
Id rather have a 338 Federal, as there is more bullet options between 180 & 225 grain in 338, compared to 8mm
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In 8mm you have 150 gr, 170 gr, 185 gr, 200 gr, 220 gr and 250 gr. The only weights that the 338 has over that is the 275 (which isn't made anymore) and the 300 (which in a 308 sized case would be a pig in a poke, I'm guessing). - dan
 
the practical differrence is that the 338 Fed will fit in a short action (2.800 mag box) and the 8x57 will not.

as everybody else already stated, with factory loads the 338 F will outperform the 8x57 north american ammo. Handloaded, and particularly with heavier bullets, the 8x57 will be a bit ahead because of larger case capacity and the powder room drops quick in the 338 fed with heavy bullets seated deep in the case
 
todbartell said:
Id rather have a 338 Federal, as there is more bullet options between 180 & 225 grain in 338, compared to 8mm
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That's true, but most (not all) people buy a caliber with a specific bullet weight range in mind, not bothering to use the full assortment. Very few people shoot 110s and 220s in their 30/06.


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dan belisle said:
"A 8mm bullet is closer to a 30 calibre bullet than a .338."

Fifteen thou either way, so that's a wash.
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Look at the frontal area. The .30 calibres have a frontal area of 0.074 square inches, the 8mms have a frontal area of 0.08 square inches and the .338 have a frontal area of 0.09 square inches.

The 338 has a frontal area 18% larger than the .308 while the 8mm has a frontal area only 7% larger than the 30 calibre. Not much difference but the 8mm is closer to the 30 calibres than it is to the .338s

Even though this is like comparing the 270 to the 280 it is still entertaining. ;)
 
SuperCub said:
That's true, but most (not all) people buy a caliber with a specific bullet weight range in mind, not bothering to use the full assortment. Very few people shoot 110s and 220s in their 30/06.


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well jeeze maybe Nosler should only make 180 grain Partitions

me, I like shooting 110 grain Vmax, and 200 grain TSX, and a few in between
 
Herters used to make a 236-grain slug for the 8mm and apparently these could be loaded to rival the muzzle velocity of a 200grain 30-06 slug. If I could locate these slugs then the 8mm would provide identical performance to the federal round.
 
[QUOTE='Boo]Look at the frontal area. The .30 calibres have a frontal area of 0.074 square inches, the 8mms have a frontal area of 0.08 square inches and the .338 have a frontal area of 0.09 square inches.

The 338 has a frontal area 18% larger than the .308 while the 8mm has a frontal area only 7% larger than the 30 calibre. Not much difference but the 8mm is closer to the 30 calibres than it is to the .338s

Even though this is like comparing the 270 to the 280 it is still entertaining. ;)[/QUOTE]


This also depends on which bullet to which bullet your comparing brotha...

But your right... like the 270 vs 280...

Someone will drag it back up :)
 
I have a Model 700 "Classic" Remington chambered in 8x57, and it is a pretty potent package with proper loads. I drive the 180 to 2840, the 200 to 2685, and the 220 to 2550 with Vihtavuori N550 and 560. I shot a moose two falls ago with the Nosler 200 Accubond at 265 yards, and he went down like he was poleaxed. I regard it much the same as a well-loaded 30-06, and it handles heavier bullets better. I'm impressed with the 8x57, and doubt the 338 Federal would outperform it. Regards, Eagleye.
 
todbartell said:
well jeeze maybe Nosler should only make 180 grain Partitions

me, I like shooting 110 grain Vmax, and 200 grain TSX, and a few in between
Click to expand...

That's not what I said, but I would not be surprised if the 180gr was the biggest 30cal seller in the Partitions, which would support what I did say.

Most people would not be shooting 110s in their 30/06. They'd just buy a varmint rifle instead.


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well if you want to look past the vast array for handloading options that a shooter can do, and focus in on a particular weight, the 338 federal kicks the crap out of the 8mm mauser, seeing how you can get 180 grain accubonds or 185 grain triple shocks, right on the shelf already pre-made for a guy buy the lovely folks at Federal Ammo

hmmm Federal makes 170 grain power shocks which simulate the 30-30 on steroids, if you'd still prefer a 8mm ;) :D
 
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