8mm Rem Mag....

[ebonitekid767]

Guy at work has a rem 700 in 8mm mag he wants to get rid of since hes getting older he said he doesnt like looking for his glasses after pulling the trigger. I have been toying with the idea of buying a "thumper" and was just curious as to if this really is? I have found very little information about the caliber. he has some handloads also and brass,dies,bullets and powder for me if i choose to buy it. The gun seems to be in pretty good shape. what do you think I should offer him? I keep asking him what he wants and he tells me to make him a "honest" offer but Im not real sure what that would be. I want a gun that is a odd ball and something that lets you know that you REALLLYYYYY just pulled the trigger haha. does this caliber fit the bill?

[jasonprox700]

If you want a thumper, well my friend, you found it!  I have not shot the 8mm Mag, but I did some reloading for a guy a guy at work who purchased a custom 8mm-06.  It was one of the last guns built by a local gunsmith before he passed on.  It had a "step-down" 24" barrel built on a mauser action with a Timney trigger and custom birch stock with a slight left kick.  It is basically the most comfortable rifle I have ever held.

Anyway, this guy purchased without knowing that finding factory ammo is nearly impossible in our area.  He heard that I reloaded, so he came to me.  I did some load testing for it and found the 185gr Core-Lokts to group the best.  I suggested maybe stepping up the bullet weight, but he said that he didn't want the extra recoil.  I went ahead and loaded up about 300 rounds for him, enough to last him the rest of his life. 

I have to say, after a couple of range sessions with this gun, I was sore!!!  I can handle recoil farely well, but after running 20 to 30 rounds through it in a single session, it wears on you.  If you do get the 8mm, it will be a gun that will handle everything in North America with authority.  You could compare it a .338 WM, but with more "juice" behind it.  This is the same case used on the 7mm STW. 

As for price, it all depends.  Is it blued or stainless, synthetic or wood, bdl or adl?  I recently purchased a 7mm RUM CDL with a wood stock and "fancy" receiver and mag plate engraving, Sims recoil pad, 100 once fired brass, 40 accubonds, and die for a bit over $400 shipped.  The gun is flawless and dare I say beautiful.  If it were me, I would offer $275 and see what happens.  If he agrees, you got a nice gun for a good price.  You might feel a little guilty though, but he seems like he wouldn't mind getting rid of it.

[bigswede]

Yes the 8mm mag is a thumper.  It will kill anything in N. America with authority. If you buy it i would suggest the 200 gr Nosler accubond or Partition.  I've heard the 220 grain Sierra works good to.  This is an honest 400 yd elk rifle.  The rifle your coworker has for sale is probably a BDL or a classic.  Those seem to be the most common configuration for the 8 mag.  With the rifle and all the stuff he's throwing in it is most likely worth $600-$900.  Just my .02.

[yooper77]

Guy at work has a rem 700 in 8mm mag he wants to get rid of since hes getting older he said he doesnt like looking for his glasses after pulling the trigger. I have been toying with the idea of buying a "thumper" and was just curious as to if this really is? I have found very little information about the caliber. he has some handloads also and brass,dies,bullets and powder for me if i choose to buy it. The gun seems to be in pretty good shape. what do you think I should offer him? I keep asking him what he wants and he tells me to make him a "honest" offer but Im not real sure what that would be. I want a gun that is a odd ball and something that lets you know that you REALLLYYYYY just pulled the trigger haha. does this caliber fit the bill?

Yes the 8mm Remington Magnum is a thumper.  It is the same case length 2.850” as with the 7mm STW, 300 H&H Magnum, 300 Weatherby Magnum, 340 Weatherby Magnum, and 375 H&H Magnum.

www.accuratepowder.com/.../8mmRemington%20Magnum%20page%20294.pdf

I would use 300 H&H Magnum or 375 H&H Magnum brass for reloads.  I am not sure how much factory ammo would cost.

I would have to see the rifle to quote a price, but probably nothing over $500 if in excellent shape.

yooper77

[FN in MT]

 I'd offer $500 for the package and go from there. I would also shoot it at least once or twice. May be more "fun" than you like.   If it's the CLASSIC model, they offered a single "classic" chambering each year...they have a plain jane, but tasteful  stock design, but it does handle recoil well.

 Should You get it...you can always rebarrel to a whole array of cartridges.

 The 8mm Mag is as stated a true do anything in NA round for sure. Ammo and bullets may be a bit limited, compared to more mainstream cartridges, but theres enough available to really do anything you could want to do.

 FN in MT
 

[Justin10mm]

I knew a guy that took one on a pronghorn hunt. He shot it twice, and came home with two scope cuts.


If it kicks two much, I would suggest a muzzle break.   

[RaySendero]

Guy at work has a rem 700 in 8mm mag he wants to get rid of since hes getting older he said he doesnt like looking for his glasses after pulling the trigger. I have been toying with the idea of buying a "thumper" and was just curious as to if this really is?...... does this caliber fit the bill?

Kid,

Get the rifle and reload the 200 NPTs.  Yes - It fits your bill!

If recoil is too much, forget the muzzle brake, but don't give up!

Get a sand bag for your shoulder for the bench/sight-ins and a past recoil shield for the field.

[mrussel]

Guy at work has a rem 700 in 8mm mag he wants to get rid of since hes getting older he said he doesnt like looking for his glasses after pulling the trigger. I have been toying with the idea of buying a "thumper" and was just curious as to if this really is?...... does this caliber fit the bill?

Kid,

Get the rifle and reload the 200 NPTs.  Yes - It fits your bill!

If recoil is too much, forget the muzzle brake, but don't give up!

Get a sand bag for your shoulder for the bench/sight-ins and a past recoil shield for the field.

 If it kicks too much,why not just make lighter loads. Ive always been told the general rule is,you shoot as much gun as you can control. If your gun is bigger than you can control,then to me that seems ok,either learn to handle it or load it lighter and get exactly what works best for you.