Rechambering my 8x57 Persian Carbine is probably one of the few things I haven't done to it and crosses my mind every now and then. As posted, it is a GREAT cartridge (look what the Germans did with it!) and handloaded properly is totally capable. BUT, there is just something about that long case - even though the COAL is still in the vicinity of 3.25", so it is really insignificant. Most of what I've read in the last 46 years with the 8x57 indicates using a COAL under 3.00". and as short as 2.86". Mine is not a "deer rifle" and I quit using the lighter 150gr bullets a long time ago. It is splendid with 175gr, 185gr, and 200gr bullets and I have taken Elk with all of these bullet weights with the 8x57. Seating bullets to 3.25" and using a "pressure ceiling" similar to a 30-06, 8mm-06 ballistics can be matched by the 8x57, with less powder, especially in a commercial action or modern military action. It is simple physics and your rifle will tell you when it's enough.
I used to believe using brass with 'the wrong headstamp' was a dangerous practice. However, over the years, I have trimmed 30-06 to 8x57, necked 257Roberts up to 8x57, necked 8x57 down to 257Roberts, trimmed 30-06 to 6.5x55Swede (my Ruger 77 doesn't know it's not 6.5Swede brass), trimmed 8x57 and sized for 356W (my BB94 loves them), and trimmed 30-30 cases for my 41Mag Ruger Blackhawk. Never has the wrong headstamp created a problem. Where I do have trouble sorting the empty cases when they look so much alike, there has never been a problem identifying a loaded round.
Al Miller wrote a piece in the March 2009 issue of RIFLE Magazine entitled "the 8mmx57 Magnum". Not to be confused with the 8mm Remington Magnum. The article pretty much mirrored what I've learned over the last 46 years. It's a good read and a terrific cartridge - when properly loaded.
Regards,
Sweetwater
