8x57 African big game load

[Gert Odendaal]

My two stepped barrel 8X57JS Mausers.

 

[PerH]

Franzt Rosenberg of Norway

Compiled by Larry B. Schuknecht First we have an article by Fredrik Franzén of Sweden published in the Nov. 2022 edition of JAKT & JÄGARE The following images go with the article by Fredrik Franzén and are courtesy of Fredrik and his friend Björn Roalda of Norway who took the pictures. Mr. Per...

www.germanhuntingguns.com

Here is some of his use of the 8x60 And weapons for it . He had more than one .

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Not a problem. Only lazy people have issues with corrosive ammo. Parker Hale 303 can very mixed with water. Ballistol can be used straight OR with water. Cold water, just by itself, followed up by any light emulsifying oil, is good.

@ZG47
The old 303 was cleaned by pouring boiling water down the bore to was the salts out followed by a patch with the good ol 303 oil.
That oil had a smell as ll of its own.
Bob

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

And with the 303, don’t forget the crooked little brass funnel to fit the chamber for washing
gumpy

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

And with the 303, don’t forget the crooked little brass funnel to fit the chamber for washing
gumpy

@Grumpy gumpy
Never was that flash mate.
A plastic funnel with a piece of hose that fit in the chamber did the job for this cheapskate.
Bob

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

@Grumpy gumpy
Never was that flash mate.
A plastic funnel with a piece of hose that fit in the chamber did the job for this cheapskate.
Bob

old full bore shooters used them, I had my grandfathers one till my shit for brains father cut the crooked chamber part off as he wanted a funnel, he didn’t like it when I told him how much they were worth.
gumpy

 

[mauser98]

I’m looking for a 8x57 for a general purpose rifle
what is the best grain ammo for it as I only ever see 196gr S&B ammo

For factory ammo I wouldn't hesitate using the 196gr S&B, they shot great and velocity was as advertised. Another good option is Hornady International with 195gr interlocks.

For reloading, Nosler BT 180gr and Barnes TSX 180gr would be great options at 2700 +/- feet per second. One of my main hunting rifles is set up with the TSX 180 gr at 2780 fps and its one of the best combinations I have used in a while. Nosler did great as well.

This bullet was recovered on a large bodied mule deer at 180 yards, shot was head on and tucked in under its chin into the chest. Dropped the deer on the spot, 100 percent weight retention.

 

[ZG47]

Please explain, as I don’t understand how the 1-10 twist for the 8mmRM is problematic compared to the 1-11 twist for the 8x68s.

Increased rotational velocity will cause greater expansion on target and in extreme circumstances will cause a bullet to disintegrate, shortly after leaving the barrel. The latter case has been reported more than once with high velocity varmint chamberings.
The Remington round has developed a reputation for blowing up bullets BUT the Schuler round has not. I would also point out that 8x68 S production rifles with 1-10" twist barrels have only come out in the last 5? years or so i.e., after a broad range of mono-metal and bonded bullets--for heavy game--became available.

 

[ZG47]

@ZG47
The old 303 was cleaned by pouring boiling water down the bore to was the salts out followed by a patch with the good ol 303 oil.
That oil had a smell as ll of its own.
Bob

I prefer hot water BUT cold will do when that is what you have. Just use more water.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I prefer hot water BUT cold will do when that is what you have. Just use more water.

@ZG47
I agree hot water will work but you need more of it.
My dad was an armourer for 21 years and always said BOILING water. It dissolved the salts better, dried quicker because of the heat and allowed the oil to work better for protection.
Bob

 

[Altitude sickness]

I finally shot my new acquisition yesterday. A Danzig Mauser in 8x57. It’s light and handy.
And Very accurate. My new poor man’s Rigby

 

[MD Driver]

That is a keeper. Congrats!

 

[Altitude sickness]

My stroll yesterday

 

[cash_tx]

I love, love, LOVE the looks of that Mauser! Timeless styling, and does indeed look light and handy. Reminds me of this Remington 30 Express that I picked up in November, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It truly feels like you've stepped back in time when you pick them up.

 

[Vashper]

I read somewhere that the 8x60 caliber appeared even before Versailles, and that the Germans simply developed a whole range of calibers with one bullet, but with different sleeve lengths, in 3 mm increments. Not only for 8 mm, but also for 9 (9,3). But I can't say for sure, I haven't held it in my hands, I've only heard of such a caliber.
I have a regular army 8x57, Oberndorf 1938, and I don't want to change anything in it, drill holes, etc., it's charming for its brutality and so on.

 

[Longwalker]

After all this praise for the cartridge, I may need to dust off my Brno 21H 8x57IS and go slay something with it again. I like the rifle and cartridge, but after using it for hunting just one elk it sits neglected in my gun rack for years. From what I recall it liked a 200 gr. Nosler Partition at 2500 fps. Quite a formidable combination.

 

[Huvius]

After all this praise for the cartridge, I may need to dust off my Brno 21H 8x57IS and go slay something with it again. I like the rifle and cartridge, but after using it for hunting just one elk it sits neglected in my gun rack for years. From what I recall it liked a 200 gr. Nosler Partition at 2500 fps. Quite a formidable combination.

I feel the same - I have a Johann Springer 8X57 that I've had for sale for ages yet no buyers...
Maybe it's telling me to forget selling and work up a nice load for it!
Overall a quality piece that deserves to be used.

 

[Huvius]

I finally shot my new acquisition yesterday. A Danzig Mauser in 8x57. It’s light and handy.
And Very accurate. My new poor man’s Rigby View attachment 664473

That Lyman 35 is worth as much as the rest of the rifle believe it or not..
Nice that you get out with it!

 

[steve white]

In short, 8x57 fans, just load it with the same quality/weight projectiles you would for a 30'06 for any application to game. If your speed is in the ballpark and the weight and quality of projectiles are appropriate, any small difference will be compensated by the slightly larger frontal surface of the 8mm. The dead animals will never notice the difference.
Ask Yamoon. Or look at all his pictures, holy cow.

 

[steve white]

I feel the same - I have a Johann Springer 8X57 that I've had for sale for ages yet no buyers...
Maybe it's telling me to forget selling and work up a nice load for it!
Overall a quality piece that deserves to be used.

View attachment 664573

For those of us who missed seeing your listing, remind us of the purchase price?