8x57

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ratherbefishin

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Anybody hunting with the 8x57 ? My main hunting rifle is a swede 6.5x55 and I have several 9.3x57 but never owned an 8x57 ( although I reform 8x57 brass to use in my 9.3 x57.The 8x57 seems like something in between, although I'm not sure what practical use it would be since I have the others or what advantage there would be .Tradeex has a good selection in both M96 and M98 at very reasonable prices ...and it looks to fit somewhere between a 303 and a 30 06 which should make it a good choice as a hunting rifle but I suspect the lack of popularity has more to do with being a European metric caliber rather than anything else.Pretty good value though...
 
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You would not have a "practical" need for it with the 6.5X55 and 9.3X57, but "practical" has little to do with desire... if you want one, it is a pretty inexpensive cartridge to get into. I love the "X57" case cartridges... and shoot 6mm, .257 Roberts, 7X57, 8x57 and a custom 7.62X57 "Medium Mauser," nothing practical about that, other than the harmomized components. A case could easily be made that the 8X57 will "do away" with all of the others, you could make that case for some of the others too, but it is a better argument for the 8X57.
 
I think the 8X57 is an excellent hunting round having used it since 1963.
There are faster and flatter shooting cartridges but its always done the job for me.
 
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I know I am going to get some flak on this one, but the 8x57 Mauser will do practically anything the 30-06 will do. It is a good hunting cartridge, and probably more popular in Europe than North America.

While European hunters understand the differences in the 8x57 designations of the calibre, here in Canada and the USA, we seem to not comprehend what those letters after the 8x57 printed on the box mean. Originally, the 8x57 was made in .318 diameter bore size, but it was later changed to the more common today .323 bore size.

Because of the difference in bore sizes, and the possibility that someone will load a .323 diameter cartridge in an older rifle, (such as the 88 Mauser,) most North American ammunition is a bit underloaded and does not take full advantage of the cartridge. This is a "liability" factor on the part of the US ammunition manufacturers, but it you use some of the European ammunition, then it really shines.

As mentioned, Trade-ex has some great buys on 8x57 rifles. I would choose one of the Husqvarna "Commercial" actioned rifles, as it does not have the left side wall of the receiver notched out for clip loading. Possibly a bit stronger action, and certainly looking more like a sporting rifle rather than a converted military one. If you choose wisely, you could find one with a side safety, and receiver drilled and tapped for scope bases, thus saving a bit of money on gunsmithing.

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I have absolutely no need for a 8x57, since I already own a 6.5x55, 30-06, 9.3x57, and a .308. But need has nothing to do with it.
I've been pleasantly surprised with all the surplus hunting and sporting firearms I've bought from Tradex over the past couple of years, and next on my list is the 8x57 Mauser.
Agreed that I'd try for an FN or Husqvarna Commercial model with a nice pipe but a stock that could use a bit of TLC. They come back nicely and have all the old world charm and craftsmanship that make these wood and steel rifles a piece of mechanical art as well as a tool.
Buy one and enjoy.
My 2 cents.
 
It works well, I've taken game from coyotes to elk with it. For the 21H I use a 200 gr NP at 2500fps, and Milsurps get a 200 grainer at 2300fps.

Lately I've been thinking of trying the 160gr TTSX.
 
All of the Huskys I've bought from Tradeex have nice walnut stocks that come up beautifully.I figure they are about the best bang for the buck on the market and a great way for the hunter on a budget to get into the sport
 
I hunt with a cleaned up by my from rough unmarked (fully peened) K98. It is accurate as the day is long once sighted for the particular round. I carry it for moose, would good for deer as well. Great general purpose cartridge.

My hunting mauser is my most accurate rifle by far. Best deal ever the rifle looked like it sat out in the desert for a few months when I got it, after some rehab its a real looker, mounted a no drill scope mount that holds like a champ and perfect last a lifetime hunting rifle.
 
The 8x57 is my all time favorite cartidge and I agree with some of the guys above. When it comes to hunting the 8mm will do anything the 30-06 Will do. I have used it to harvest a few animals and it performed well. Bullet selection has improved in the last years and now one can shoot 125gr to 250gr. The rifles from tradex are also one of the best buys for what you get, I own a few myself. Here are a few pictures of some of my kills with the 8mm.

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I just picked up a like new mint Remington 700 Classic in 8x57 a few days ago. Looking forward to getting some loads together for it when I get a spare minute!
 
Gotta love the 8x57, S&B is the best factory loaded ammo if you have a .323 bore, pushing a 196 gr pill almost 2600 fps, amd accurate. Wish I could find their SPCE projectiles here.

Not sure what everyone else is using for no-drill/tap mounts, picked up a Bad Ace myself. Almost 100 rounds in and no problem retaining zero.

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dgradinaru said:
The 8x57 is my all time favorite cartidge and I agree with some of the guys above. When it comes to hunting the 8mm will do anything the 30-06 Will do. I have used it to harvest a few animals and it performed well.
Click to expand...

The pics are game, set and match.
 
I really enjoy the 8x57. Used it to take my interior Grizz and will continue to use it for other big game.
 
Picked up a "sportered" K98 that can't be reversed and it shoots 1/2" groups at 100 meters with a 4x Banner on it with win factory ammo.Some bozo sawed the laminate stock at the front and tosses the hand guard.Also D+T for side peep site as well as weaver top mts. ........mint barrel
Instead of wasting 9.3x57 brass size range 30-06 brass for free.
 
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I think my 1943 8x57 was used for everything from a club to a pry bar when I got it. But a lot puttering over a winter got to a decent looking rifle, 6.5lbs. Still thinking of doing a camo paint job on it. Shoots better than I hoped for. Use mostly 3006 brass, I shop at any gravel pit to get more. 170 Hornady and CFE223 pouder seems to be what it likes best.
 
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Have a couple of 8x57 rifles. One is an original Mauser sporting rifle from the '20s. Must have had quite the history - came out of Bangladesh with a load of military surplus rifles. Looks trod upon, but shoots well. The other is a G98, commercially sported, probably during the same period, by Krieghof.
8x57 is an outstanding cartridge, suitable for most any North American big game.
 
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