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8mm Mauser
- Thread starter BMiracle
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Either bullet would work fine, with the lighter bullet having a bit flatter trajectory.
In general, factory 8mm isn't loaded "to the max" because of the number of lesser quality old military rifles. The ballistic coefficient of 8mm bullets isn't all that great, either. Thus the 8mm is not as flat shooting as cartridges like the '06, but don't let that bother you for "basic hunting".
Inside of 300 yards, the 8mm will work just as well as anything, for deer. I'd recommend the heavier bullets for black bear.
The main thing is to practice enough to learn the behavior of the load you select, and work on learning to estimate range. Within 200 yards, just "point it and pull" and don't worry at all about trajectory. Don't hold over; don't hold under; just shoot.
Hope this helps,
Art
In general, factory 8mm isn't loaded "to the max" because of the number of lesser quality old military rifles. The ballistic coefficient of 8mm bullets isn't all that great, either. Thus the 8mm is not as flat shooting as cartridges like the '06, but don't let that bother you for "basic hunting".
Inside of 300 yards, the 8mm will work just as well as anything, for deer. I'd recommend the heavier bullets for black bear.
The main thing is to practice enough to learn the behavior of the load you select, and work on learning to estimate range. Within 200 yards, just "point it and pull" and don't worry at all about trajectory. Don't hold over; don't hold under; just shoot.
Hope this helps,
Art
abrahamsmith
New member
Based on some data which smithz made a while ago (http://web.demigod.org/~zak/tmp/interesting.pdf), the 8mm is right between 308 and 30-06, in terms of power.
It's really a shame that it isn't more popular here in the US.. It's truly a great cartridge.
It's really a shame that it isn't more popular here in the US.. It's truly a great cartridge.
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
IIRC, Remington and Norma ammo is not too hard to find. I have seen the Remington ammo in discount stores at a decent price. No experiance with terminal efects, but it looks OK. I *think* that the Norma would be hotter.
Giz
Giz
As far as factory ammo, I know for a fact that Winchester and Federal have loads. But like Art was saying, they are loaded light. Somewhere around 30-30 loads. When I bought my M48A Yugo Mauser, the shop owner gave me a box of the Federal 170 gr Soft Point ($15.95 price tag--benefits of being a good customer I guess!) Anyways, I shot 5 rounds of the Federal first. Looked at my groupings, then fired 5 of the Turkish surplus. Man what a difference in recoil. Group size about the same size.
S&B to the rescue
US commercial loads are totally weak, to prevent some bonehead from stuffing a full-power load in a pre-98 Mauser. European loads are full-power. Full power 8mm loads pack a *bigger* punch than either the .308 or .30-06. The Turk 8mm surplus, for example, is a 154 grainer at ~3000 fps (I've seen chrono results from 2900-3100). That's hotter than a normal load for a 150 gr bullet from a .30-06 or .308.
S&B makes full-power loads for the 8mm Mauser. Bullet weight is in the 196-198 grain range at about 2400 fps (?). They are soft point IIRC ("soft point cutting edge?").
I think you can get 'em for about $7 per box if you shop around a bit. Compare that to the really weak Remington 170 grain loads at $14-$18 a box! Check out the Shotgun News for S&B vendors. I think J&G Sales sells the S&B.
Semper fi,
Bruegger out.
US commercial loads are totally weak, to prevent some bonehead from stuffing a full-power load in a pre-98 Mauser. European loads are full-power. Full power 8mm loads pack a *bigger* punch than either the .308 or .30-06. The Turk 8mm surplus, for example, is a 154 grainer at ~3000 fps (I've seen chrono results from 2900-3100). That's hotter than a normal load for a 150 gr bullet from a .30-06 or .308.
S&B makes full-power loads for the 8mm Mauser. Bullet weight is in the 196-198 grain range at about 2400 fps (?). They are soft point IIRC ("soft point cutting edge?").
I think you can get 'em for about $7 per box if you shop around a bit. Compare that to the really weak Remington 170 grain loads at $14-$18 a box! Check out the Shotgun News for S&B vendors. I think J&G Sales sells the S&B.
Semper fi,
Bruegger out.
Bruegger. I agree with you when you say U.S. loads for the 8MM are wimpy. But so are the 30-06 loads. When the 30-06 is loaded to it's full potential, It will surpass the foreign 8MM in power. Remember, the 30-06 is also underloaded because of 1895 Winchesters and low number Springfield 03's. A 150 gr. .30 cal. spitzer at 3100 FPS is no slouch.
If both cartridges are loaded to their full potential, the 06 has to come out on top, due to it's greater powder capacity.
FWIW. I'd love to get an original mauser Sporter in 8MMx57. That is if I could find one with a bore that hasn't been corroded all to hell by chloride primers and poor cleaning. It would also help if I won the lottery, as the clean ones I've seem are very pricey.
Paul B.
If both cartridges are loaded to their full potential, the 06 has to come out on top, due to it's greater powder capacity.
FWIW. I'd love to get an original mauser Sporter in 8MMx57. That is if I could find one with a bore that hasn't been corroded all to hell by chloride primers and poor cleaning. It would also help if I won the lottery, as the clean ones I've seem are very pricey.
Paul B.
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Excellent point, Paul! The case capacity should be greater in the '06 because of the difference in length (57mm vs 63mm). Do you happen to know how much difference in volume there is between them?
Not to mention that a 150gr .308 at 3100 should be superior ballistically to a 150 gr .323 at the same velocity (better SD and BC).
Both are excellent cartridges. All my centerfire rifles are in one or the other.
Bruegger out.
Not to mention that a 150gr .308 at 3100 should be superior ballistically to a 150 gr .323 at the same velocity (better SD and BC).
Both are excellent cartridges. All my centerfire rifles are in one or the other.
Bruegger out.