.338 Federal vs. 8x57 mm

[Brithunter]

Those rifles you are speaking of.....I like the european styling but the ones I see at the shows look really used with almost smooth checkering, maybe little stock cracks, worn bluing and $375.

Baaaahh!

Hmmm well here is mine:-










I did have to slightly alter the bolt handle as shown to get clearance for the occular bell of the scope. The stock has no cracks  . Yes the bluing on the barrel and bolt knob is a little worn now but seeing as the rifle was made in 1935 and has been used for it's designed purpose namely hunting I can live with that. The chequering on the pistol grip is fine and it has the name of the original owner scratched into the butt plate. I had it D&T'd as with the limited bullet selection that was available here in the UK at the time none would shoot to the sights so I fitted a scope. I regret it at times but it does make it more versatile.

[jcn59]

Nice looking model 96.  I rejuvinated an engraved 9x57 for a relative twelve years ago.  We shot 250 grain .357 bullets at 2200 fps out of it.  I always thought a 9x57 or 9.3x57 would be nice to hunt with in northern Wisconsin.  I had a 9.3x62 a couple years back but it had too much drop at the comb for me to be comfortable with.

[ratherbefishin]

yup-got 6 of them just like that.I'm thinking of restocking one with the military stock to a boyds thumbhole laminate.
Occasionally you can find one with a ''Hellqvist'' or ''Norma''peep sight-and if you do-grab it,they are scarce as hens teeth.They are simplicity in itself-much like the MOJO ghost ring peepsight,but protected on both sides with ''ears''-the ideal hunting sight.Elevation is adjusted by simply screwing or unscrewing ring.I bought one just for the sight alone....I shoot 286 gr privi-partizans with 47 gr of 4064 out of mine-hits like the hammer of Thor

[Brithunter]

It's  model 46 not a 96  and according to the serial number it was made in 1935. These are what i was working with for it:-



Quite a weight range but due to the stupidity of the laws here on soft point and expanding ammunition I will be playing with paper patched bullets for it. I have also been toying with the idea od fitting receiver sight like Redfield or Lyman. Will have to give that some more thought.

[ratherbefishin]

You thump one of those into the rib cage of a moose and theres only one way he's going....and thats down,and very shortly thereafter too

[Brithunter]

You thump one of those into the rib cage of a moose and theres only one way he's going....and thats down,and very shortly thereafter too

Although I wanted to try it out for the first time at 100 yards others at the clubs Monthly shoot wanted 200 and 300 yards so that's what I got lumbered with  . Starting out trying all those bullets in the photo on a Military Fig 11 (charging man) on the Ash No4 range. I was surprised to discover that they all grouped in the same area of about 5" at 200 yards it was only at 300 yards did the 285 GR bullet drop out of the group but the rest produced a composite group of 4"-8" now not brilliant but for first time out with unproven loads and every one would have been in the vitals of a deer I was very happy  .

[mcwoodduck]

  I have both  .308 and .30-06 rifles.  The .308 is a about a pound ligher. 

  But it doesn't have to be...  You can have a 30-06 just as light as a 308, and both can be had lighter than you would want to shoot much.

  Maybe we should all thank the chinese for inventing gunpowder?

  DM

But wasn't it the French that made smokless powder that has given us the ability to make ctgs like 8X57 and 338 Fed?
I also want to know what the Chineese were looking for when they mixed carcoal, Salt Peter and sulphur together?

[nomosendero]

  I have both  .308 and .30-06 rifles.  The .308 is a about a pound ligher. 

  But it doesn't have to be...  You can have a 30-06 just as light as a 308, and both can be had lighter than you would want to shoot much.

  Maybe we should all thank the chinese for inventing gunpowder?

  DM

But wasn't it the French that made smokless powder that has given us the ability to make ctgs like 8X57 and 338 Fed?
I also want to know what the Chineese were looking for when they mixed carcoal, Salt Peter and sulphur together?

Utopia, of course!!