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338 Federal vs 8x57 mauser
- Thread starter tahoe2
- Start date
Are you loading ammunition or purchasing off the shelf ammunition? You will not be able to tell the difference between a properly loaded 8x57 vs. .338 Federal on elk at the ranges you talk about. If you are going to buy off the shelf ammunition you would be better off with a .30-06 or .308 than either you mentioned.
Unfortunately , US-SAAMI spec 8x57 ammo is held to very low pressure , lest someone use it in an old 1888 'Comission' rifle with the obsolete 'J-bore' barrel meant for .318 dia bullets. It's barely above the 30-30 in power.
Full power loads using the 'JS' or .323 dia bullets in these old rifles has caused catastrophic failures and severe injuries.
WWII era and Euro-spec 8x57 ammo was actually more powerful than our own 30-06
Full power loads using the 'JS' or .323 dia bullets in these old rifles has caused catastrophic failures and severe injuries.
WWII era and Euro-spec 8x57 ammo was actually more powerful than our own 30-06
One thing I can tell you from experience:
The .308 case based cartridges certainly can be made to feed properly through a 98 action,but do not count on just chambering the rifle and having it work.
It will likely need work to get it to feed.
If you are a handloader,The 8x57 is a great choice.Not so many bullets,but,how many do you need?
With the lighter bullets(210 grain or so) I think a .338-06 would work out well in a 98 standard action.Quite standard for dies and reamers.
IMO,a 8x57 case necked up to .338 would be a great wildcat(no,not a hotrod,just a great hunting round) but it not on anyones list,custom dies and reamers make it impractical.
Another kinky possibility,get a .30 cal bbl.You short chamber the bbl with a 30-06 die to 8x57 length.Then shorten the bottom off a set of 30-06 dies to properly size and load the cartridges to that chamber.
An old smith I know has made several of these.He calls them 30 Dunlap.
Its an old school way,gets a match tight chamber from taking 5mm length of the case taper.
The .308 case based cartridges certainly can be made to feed properly through a 98 action,but do not count on just chambering the rifle and having it work.
It will likely need work to get it to feed.
If you are a handloader,The 8x57 is a great choice.Not so many bullets,but,how many do you need?
With the lighter bullets(210 grain or so) I think a .338-06 would work out well in a 98 standard action.Quite standard for dies and reamers.
IMO,a 8x57 case necked up to .338 would be a great wildcat(no,not a hotrod,just a great hunting round) but it not on anyones list,custom dies and reamers make it impractical.
Another kinky possibility,get a .30 cal bbl.You short chamber the bbl with a 30-06 die to 8x57 length.Then shorten the bottom off a set of 30-06 dies to properly size and load the cartridges to that chamber.
An old smith I know has made several of these.He calls them 30 Dunlap.
Its an old school way,gets a match tight chamber from taking 5mm length of the case taper.
Gunplummer
New member
I think that unless the other ammo manufacturers pick up the .338 Federal, it will soon die out.
8x57 would be (and is) my choice. I handload, but if you don't you can get full power European ammo. The Mauser Action does not need to be modified for 8x57, and you save the cost of a rebarrel (assuming the barrel is in good condition).
A Yugo M48 sounds like a good rifle for your needs.
Jimro
A Yugo M48 sounds like a good rifle for your needs.
Jimro