My vote goes to the 8mm Rem Mag.[/QUOTE
8mm Rem Mag? Try again.
Here you go........nathan231
The 8mm Remington Magnum
By Chuck Hawks
The 8mm Remington Magnum is based on a full (.375 H&H) length magnum case. This means it is restricted to use in single shot rifles, double rifles, and bolt action rifles with "magnum" length actions.
The current Remington Premier factory load drives the 200 grain Swift A-Frame PSP bullet (SD .274) at a MV of 2,900 fps with a ME of 3,734 ft. lbs. The figures for 200 yards are 2,361 fps and 2,476 ft. lbs.
Some specifications of interest to reloaders include a rim diameter of .532", a shoulder angle of 25 degrees, a case length of 2.850", and a COL of 3.60". The 8mm Rem. Magnum uses the same .323" diameter bullets as the 8x68S.
Handloaders have a reasonable variety of bullet weights from which to choose. Companies like Barnes, Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Speer all offer 8mm bullets for big game hunting. Commonly available are bullets of 150, 170, 200, and 220 grains.
According to Speer Reloading Manual No. 13 the 150 grain spitzer bullet can be driven to a MV of 3194 fps by 80.0 grains of IMR 4831 powder, and 3436 fps by 86.0 grains of IMR 4831. The 170 grain semi-spitzer can be driven at a MV of 2896 fps on top of 74.0 grains of IMR 4831, and 3114 over 80.0 grains of IMR 4831. The sleek 200 grain spitzer bullet can be driven at a MV of 2763 fps by 72.0 grains of IMR 4831, and to a MV of 2996 fps by 78.0 grains of IMR 4831.
While it would be accurate to say that the 8mm Rem. Mag. does nothing that cannot be done by one of the .300 Magnums, it is also fair to say that the popular .300 Magnums do nothing that cannot be done by the 8mm Magnum. Bear in mind, however, that .32 caliber (8mm) does not a medium bore make. The .338 Winchester Magnum and .340 Weatherby Magnum, which are a true "mediums," are superior to the smaller bores for use on very heavy game.
8mm Remington Magnum
The 8mm Remington Magnum holds the distinction of being the most unsuccessful cartridge ever developed and introduced by Remington since World War II. Introduced in 1978 in the Model 700 BDL rifle, production in this caliber ceased around 1985 but was added to the list of options available from Remington's Custom Gun Shop in 1987. All of which is rather puzzling since the 8mm Remington Magnum seems a bit less ridiculous than the .338 Winchester Magnum for use on deer size game and yet it should perform just as well on elk and moose. On the other hand, the .338 Magnum had a 30 year head start, is short enough for medium length actions, and is available with heavier bullets. Perhaps we will never know the real reason why the Winchester cartridge did and the Remington cartridge didn't.
Even though the 8mm Remington Magnum hasn't exactly set the woods afire with its popularity, one would have to look long and hard before coming up with a better cartridge for use on elk, moose, and larger African antelope. Bullet selection is quite critical with this cartridge since only four are designed and constructed to hold together at magnum impact velocities. They are the 200 grain bullets from Nosler and Speer and the 220 grain bullets from Sierra and Hornady. All other 8mm bullets are designed for smaller cartridges.
Cases can be formed from .300 H&H and .300 Weatherby Magnum cases but their necks will be a bit shorter than 8mm Magnum cases available from Remington.
