the underdog 8mm

[onesonek]

Well, it isn't one of the projects I had in mind, But... I ended up with a set of 8x57 dies in a trade. While I have been looking to do a 338-06 in the Encore. I may just give this round some serious consideration. Bullet selection isn't as broad (?). But a 200 gr. Partition should do about all I could ask from this round.I would fit nicely between my 7BRM and the 9.3x74R. I quess the hardest part of this decision, is what barrel length do I want :wink:

[huntsman]

If you're planning on 200 grains of bullet in the 8x57, you'll want to squeeze out all the velocity you can get. Minimum 24" barrel is what I would recommend. I have one with a 24" barrel and it still handles pretty well. I haven't tried the 200 grain bullet yet (I don't hunt anything bigger than hogs right now), but 185 gr core-lokts shoot great and are all the medicine I could want on hogs. They're actually better ballistically past about 175 yards or so than the 200 grainers.

[Snowshoe]

I just started to work with the 195g Hornady PSP in my 24" barreled 8x57. I have pushed them over 2500 fps with no pressure signs. For me a 24" barrel is all I want for hunting, it just feels right.

[Mikey]

Fellas, I wouldn't shortchange the 8mm at all.  It doesn't give up a thing to the 308, the 06, or anything else.   The 8mm has taken everything on the face of the earth. The VihtaVourhyOy loading data gives some excellent loadings for this cartridge for bullet weights ranging from 125 - 220 gn.  I consider most US ammo loadings to be underpowered for this cartridge due to a rather liberal view of the liability factor.  Sellier and Bellot make a 196 gn cutted edge bullet in the 8mm that shoots very accurately in my 8s.

I shoot my 8s through a couple of mil-surps with 23.5" bbls and love the 196/200 gn loads.  I don't think they lose anything downrange to the 185s and feel they have more 'carry' than the lighterweights do.

onesonek - if you are looking at a rifle, get yourself an inexpensive Yugo 48 or 48A that's in unissued condition - they are brand new rifles.  Or, find a VZ-24/52 - that's the VZ-24 that was arsenal rebarrelled in 1952 and then put into storage.  The barrel on mine is brand new.  Either could suffice as an inexpensive begining or intro to shooting the 8mm.  

Howsoever, if you have more refined tastes, the Remington Classic for 2004 comes chambered in the 8x57 and it sounds like a beauty.  Just my 2 cents worth though.  Mikey.

[Drilling Man]

The bbl length on my 8x57jrs is 23-1/2" long, and i drive 200 grain Nosler partitions over 2,500 fps in my drilling.  This load shoots plenty flat for 2 to 300 yard shots, and has a lot of penetration and killing power when it gets there!

  I tried other bullet weights, but i was looking for a "one gun load" that would work on everything.  I think i found it, as i've taken everything from coyotes, blk. bear to moose with this load.

  This last fall i took two whitetails with this load, a 9 point and the 8 point in the picture.  The longest shot i've taken so far was at the 9 point, and it was 200 yards away.  

  A "honest" 200 yards is a long shot on any game animial, but if you practice at longer ranges than that, the 8x57 will still do just fine.

  Drilling man

[onesonek]

Darn, change my mind again! I stuffed a 9.3x74 R case in that 8x57 die one caliber, and seated a 200 gr NP. Goina send it OTT and have Mike do a chamber with .010" body taper and a 35 degree shoulder. Don't know why, just because I guess.
 :shock: OOPS, this belongs on the "wildcat" forum.