Author Topic: 8mm Remington Magnum good, bad, ugly? (Read 3861 times)

glshop20 · « **on:** June 12, 2006, 11:51:59 AM »

I have the opportunity to pick up a nice Rem. 8mm. Mag at a good price. I have shot 300 Win Mags, 45-120, and heavy 45-70 rifles and the recoil does not bother me. Has anyone used one for target and or hunting? What kind of results did you get? Opinions please.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2006, 01:12:56 PM »

I had one. Its an awwwwwesome rifle. As I don't believe in muzzle brakes, and other gimmicks, I decided I didn't dislike anything bad enough to be shooting them with a 8rem mag so I passed it along. I bought it used and when the fellow at the gun shop told me it came with a "partial" box of shells, I should have known something was up. As part of the deal, I got a box of ammo with 16 rounds left in it.

As a FWI, I routinely shoot a 300WM. And used a .338WM for several years. If you shoot those rifles often enough to keep you hand in, they are not a problem. I didn't enjoy the same success with the big 8.

nomosendero · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2006, 05:08:26 PM »

No doubt the main reason that the 8mmMag did not do well was the lack of good bullets. The intro of the 325 has changed this & makes the 8mag
a better choice now. Also, Barnes has some good TSX bullets.

This round could fair well with most mags now, if you decide you don't want it please let me know.

CyberSniper · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2006, 06:45:46 PM »

This link has some ballistic info on the 8mm Rem Mag.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mmMag.htm
Furthermore:

Quote

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.

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/8rm.html

Don Fischer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:03:36 AM »

I kinda think that the 8mm mag was just a ba$tard cartridge. I can't believe recoil was excessive, look at some of the stuff already being shot!
Bullets probally had something to do with it. But if what you wanted was a long range cartridge, theres many as good or better for no reason other than bullets; 264 win mag, 7mm rem mag, 300 mags (take your pick). If you want to crush bones, theres also better choices, again bullets may be a factor. 338 mags, 350 mags and 375 mags and up!

I think that most big magnums, even smaller ones, are special purpose cartridges. Few would sit on a praire dog town all day with a 338 mag. Most large mags are definatelly more then needed for most game hunting.
The 8mm mag didn't fill any nitch and did it with what I understand was a lot of recoil. With the cartridges avaliable today, I doubt even good bullets can breathe life back into it.

nomosendero · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2006, 07:24:11 AM »

I don't think anyone believes it will be brought back from the dead, just
doesn't happen often with cartridges. My point was only that it would have fared better with good bullets, but we will never know for sure.

NONYA · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2006, 09:28:49 AM »

I have one and if Im not hunting anything smaller than elk its the only rifle i carry.I have to order brass but i dont shoot it enough to make that a problem,its an elk flattener at ranges that will astonish some,Im shooting a 200 gr Barnes xxx out of it now,one deadly combo.My father killed a Alaskan grizz with the same rifle many years ago,1 shot kill.

glshop20 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2006, 02:55:34 PM »

Thanks to all for replying. I decided to go ahead and get the rifle. My understanding is that Remington offered it from it's custom shop. I checked the blue book and in it's condition I got it for about half price. I have a Past sorbathane recoil pad and need to put it to use anyway. Wonder if I can type one handed?

nomosendero · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:40:46 PM »

I think you did well & with that pad it won't be that bad. Besides, remember my previous offer! :lol:

victorcharlie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:01:18 AM »

You could also try one of the mercury tube recoil reducers with the good recoil pad.......I personally haven't tried the tubes yet, but several who post on the board say there effective.

oliverstacy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2006, 06:37:59 PM »

in this caliber. I have read several articles by Craig Boddington in which he takes several animals with a custom Rifles Inc. in this cartridge. I meet him one day and asked if this was one of his favorite rifles since I seemed to see him with it a lot in the magazines. He stated that his rifle has a 28" barrel and is a handfull to carry but in crunch time it never lets him down...and always buts the critters down. One of his favorite elk rounds.

I agree with the advent of the 325 WSM the bullet selection will only improve. I think a Accubond on this older round would be amazing on larger game.

Josh

glshop20 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2006, 01:39:22 PM »

First: Thanks to all for your input, it was helpful. I took the Rem. 700 8mm Mag. to the range today for a try. I put a 3-9 Bushnell legend on it that I had laying around. Figured it would be a good range of magnification for different hunting situations. Shot Rem. factory 220gr. sp. Recoil was not as bad as you might think. My 300 Win Mag Tikka with synthetic stock seems worse. The rifle shot very well after some sighting in. At 200yds. it was doing about 3-1/2". Cant wait to shoot reloads. Dies and bullets on the way.

NYStillhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2006, 05:44:00 AM »

Try Nosler Partitions over some H4831sc and Federal 215M primers. Mine was scary accurate with this combo. NYS

kyote · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2006, 01:39:37 PM »

Kinda late on this post I reckon.I have a remington 8mm magnum.Bought in on the internet a while back.the rifle was new except for being shot I believe 12 times down range.The gentleman said it's recoil was way more then he wanted.and was selling it for a lose so he could get something else (he said later he bought a .338 federal.)
the rifle was a custom shop which the gent sent to a tex.gunsmith for more work.before ever fiiring it.when the rigfle arrived he included two packs of new brass, dies and two bxs of swift bullets.and was in the custom shop hard case which had the reciept for the custom work done in tex..I mounted a leupold 30mm tube on her with plenty power for far away shots.as when I saw the cases to the bullets.I thought "missile launcher"..
I really don't think the rifle kicks that much atall.But i have only shot the barnes bullets in it under 200grs.and I believe the 1st loads I tested printed .260 are .280 @100 yards for a three shot group.which I thought was sweet.I have only shot three oryx with it.all one shot kills.and i really like the rifle and was glad I was able to afford it.\comparing the recoil to my .416 rem mag which is mag na ported..to the 8mm there is little recoil to her.
I think you own a sweet rifle.how is she been doing for ya.any meat in the freezer yet with her??

Golsovia · « **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2006, 08:48:39 AM »

A number of years back, after acquiring a magnum-actioned pre-64 M70, the 8mm Mag made my short list for a rebarrel job. I went with the 340 but I'm sure the 8 would have served well also. I agree the big cased magnums are special purpose rounds, but they certainly do a superb job in those special roles (which is big bullet and energy payloads at long distances.) If the 8 Mag is no good, what is the even skinnier bored 7 STW? I don't hear a whole lot of negative press on that and it makes even less sense than the 8.

Pot-Bellied Stallion · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2009, 10:21:13 AM »

Like Nonya, my 700 Remington in 8mm Rem. Mag. is the only rifle I take for anything from elk size and up. A few years back I shot a nice moose with it, and he dropped in his tracks. I shoot the Nosler partition bullets in it, and push them to 2900 fps. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything in North America and most things in Africa with it. To me, the recoil isn't that nasty, but several of my friends have shot it and refuse to shoot it again. As far as I'm concerned, I'll continue to tote it afield as long as I am hunting.

mannyrock · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2009, 09:38:57 AM »

Saying that the recoil of a cartridge "isn't THAT bad," is just like saying that a girl "isn't THAT ugly!" It merely states, in underhand fashion, the obvious. She's ugly!

The 8mm Remington was renouned as a real good game killer, but it was a commercial failure from the start because the recoil was way beyond what the average American hunter could handle. And for 98% of the game you would shoot with it in the U.S., the .300 Win Mag or 7mm Mag would do just as well, with alot less recoil.

CGPAUL · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2009, 04:59:57 PM »

I have to agree with mannyrock....more have gone down the road because of recoil than lack of good bullets. A stout load with 220 grn Sierras` WILL rock you!
I know of one now that resides in a gun safe not more than 3 miles from here. Shot exactly five times, about twenty years ago..and no, he will not sell it.

nomosendero · « **Reply #18 on:** December 09, 2009, 07:55:49 AM »

Why was this brought up from the dead, it is over a 3 yr. old thread, he asked questions & based on those answers he bought the gun & likes it. As far as the ballistics are concerned, it can be pulled up in 2 minutes & you either want that performance with that caliber or you don't.

Why???

Next topic please!!

Tonk · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2009, 07:51:33 AM »

It may have very well been 3 years old but such questions do have interest with others in the world. I feel the question was a good one and the caliber is very much a good bigger game getter no doubt in my mind. It also plays to make anyone a great wildcat using that 8mm Remington case. The .323 diameter is a plus in bullet size when going after big game animals.

Nowdays there are many bullet brands to choose from including several premium bullets. Something that was not there years ago when Remington brought this Euro caliber to the general public. I have run across several elk hunters who use the 8mm Remington mag to fill their freezers.

Perhaps some of the moderators could help stir the pot in new threads! I hate to see things get stale and perhaps I am not by myself.

charles p · « **Reply #20 on:** December 10, 2009, 03:36:01 PM »

A few cartridges have been resurrected from the dead - sort of. The 220 Swift had a brief revival and the 284Win and 7X57 did too. Certainly the 280 came back alive. I think the 35 Rem may have had a decline and then a comeback. How about the 45-70!

If enough gun writers get on the same bandwagon, most stuff can be sold for a while. Anything described as tactical will sell now. I believe tactical bubble gum will sell. Surprised GB hasn't started a tactical category on the forum. Hush Charles.

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** December 10, 2009, 05:35:54 PM »

Quote from: Tonk on December 10, 2009, 07:51:33 AM

It may have very well been 3 years old but such questions do have interest with others in the world. I feel the question was a good one and the caliber is very much a good bigger game getter no doubt in my mind. It also plays to make anyone a great wildcat using that 8mm Remington case. The .323 diameter is a plus in bullet size when going after big game animals.

Nowdays there are many bullet brands to choose from including several premium bullets. Something that was not there years ago when Remington brought this Euro caliber to the general public. I have run across several elk hunters who use the 8mm Remington mag to fill their freezers.

Perhaps some of the moderators could help stir the pot in new threads! I hate to see things get stale and perhaps I am not by myself.

The question was indeed a good one, but answered 3 years ago.