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

What exactly is lacking in bullet selection?

Nothing. Some people think that having 500 bullet options for 30cal is really better than only having 50. To me, as long as it has a few options to try in case the first one or two choices don't shoot well enough, then bullet selection isn't an issue. This sorta thing comes up when discussing the 270 a lot - people argue that Company X has like 35 30cal bullets, while they only have 7 or 8 for the 270... As if Im going to try 35 bullets from one manufacturer in one caliber? If the first couple don't tickle my fancy I'm gonna switch makers anyways.

I need exactly two bullets for my 270, a 130gr with a sleek profile, and a 150gr thats built tough. 130gr Ballistic tip and 150gr partition (pending the parts shoot good, haven't loaded any yet) seems to fit the bill just fine. (technically I just need one bullet, but I like a cheaper 130gr for the range, shooting partitions every week would get expensive)
 
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Great write up and pics Daniel! Nice hunting pics! I'm also a fan of the 8x57 and it's case. I only have one hunting rifle in 8x57 and haven't used it for a while but it certainly does the job. I load my 8x57 with 200gr Accubonds at close to 2600fps if I remember correctly.
 
If you think there isn't a bullet selection for 8mm, you haven't looked. Like other's have mentioned, there are a ton of options out there from cheap cup and core, to the best premium designs.
 
Do you? I doubt it...

The bullet selection argument is ridonculous...

Clearly not. I am not a 1 gun hunter. I don't see the point in trying to make one gun do a bunch of stuff, when I can get multiple guns to do those jobs in a more efficient or effective manner. Plus, ya know, excuses to buy more guns. lol

Although I must say, this 8mm has been intriguing me as of late. I want something bigger than 30cal for close range bush work, and can't decide on what I want. The 8mm is bigger, but I am not sure its enough of a step up from my 303 to be worth adding to my safe... I kinda wanted something bigger than that, something in the 35cal+ range like a 35 whelen or a 9.3x62, but we'll see... Eventually I will add an 8mm mauser to my collection, but I am not sure if it would ever become the well used hunting rifle that yours clearly are.
 
I have used both the 8x57 and 8x68S on boar in Europe. They both work very well. Hard to say what a 200gr Partition at +2600 wouldn't do in North America at normal hunting ranges.
 
Nah man. Thats the joy of the 30 cal. You can shoot anything from 125gr to 220gr, groundhogs to grizzlies with one rifle!......

I don't shoot the full range of bullet weights in any of my rifles and I doubt very much that there are many folks at all who shoot more than one or two weights per.
 
Great write up and pics Daniel! Nice hunting pics! I'm also a fan of the 8x57 and it's case. I only have one hunting rifle in 8x57 and haven't used it for a while but it certainly does the job. I load my 8x57 with 200gr Accubonds at close to 2600fps if I remember correctly.

I have these same bullets and I'm looking to work up a load for them. Would you be willing to share your load just as a reference?
 
Although this thread started out with the 8X57, I think many shooters fail to realize that the 8mm selection of cartridges doesn't end there. There are some impressive 8mm cartridges that cover all game appropriately right up to the big bears and most that Africa has to offer. With a bullet selection to match.............it's just not a NA "darling" bore size and never caught on, all attempts to introduce it to NA have been met with abject failure as it really doesn't do anything that a good 30 cal won't do. However what many fail to realize is that it will do anything a 30 cal will, just as well.........and that is saying a lot, as the 30 IS the number one NA "darling" bore size, since 1894.
 
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.
 
All you need is one good bullet.

And one Good powder to go along with it.
I'm having a Déjà vu moment with the Bear picture, Cat and Antler Picture.
I recall seeing these pics but the story of the 8x57JM are really messing with my mind.
But, it is an appropriate story s it is Bear Season (Blackies/Color phases too) in BC as we read/type and swill copious amounts of coffee this fine Monday Morning.
Thank You dgardinaru,
Rob
 
Thats one big cat! ....and where would one look to find .323 (and .318) projectiles? I just bought a die set and so far have not seen any bullets to be had anywhere. I now have 3 8x57 rifles. One of which is a Gew88 that was never converted.
 
I have no issues finding components to keep my two 8x57's running! I like being a little different...... ;)

Don't mean to hijack but when I see a cat picture it always takes me back a couple winters ago when a co-worker lucked out above my house, always laughed seeing the "have you seen my kitty cat" posters around the neighbourhood. A hearty congrats on your successes and have fun with the load development!

Dirk

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