8x68S owner's opinions

[8x68]

Really nice rifle! The "fish scale" style checkering is really cool.

 

[JET216]

Very nice. Beautiful find, enjoy.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

A Mannlicher Schoenauer, Mod. MC (Monte Carlo) in 8x68 S from 1963 entered my gun-room:

Barrel from Boehler "Antinit"-steel, 2 scopes (1,5-6x42 Hensoldt Diavari and a Zeiss 8x52 Diasta), both on a Suhler claw mont.
I am very happy , because I've got this rare Piece. This is the Magnum sytem of the post-war Mannlichers. The same as for the .458 WM ....

Mannlicher

Beautiful Rifle Mannlicher. I envy you.
Witold

 

[Rule 303]

Mannlicher, that is a very nice rifle. I do like the fish scale checkering. A very good pick up.

 

[ZG47]

Nice rifle. If it fits you and it shoots as well as it looks, you will have a winner.

 

[Mannlicher]

The stock was improved by an artist ....

Mannlicher

 

[NW Hunter]

The Steyr I refer to is an original built in the 60's. Not the newer prohunter.

No looked here in some time.
Think this may be the one you referred to, Steyr-Mannlicher Model M in 8x68s. Picked this one up about 12 years ago. Was told the previous owner, a doctor had bought it when going to spend some time in Kenya in the early 70's. Then lay in his safe for over 20 years, he thought it too much for the Roebuck he normally hunted.

Fantastic caliber. Used it on 60-70 or so red deer at all ranges out to 400 plus yards. South Africa on Kudu, Gemsbuck, Warthog and smaller antelope. Took it on a number of driven boar hunts on mainland Europe where has worked great, shoulders like a good shotgun and think this action is nearly as quick as the modern straight pulls.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Fantasic rifle and caliber.
Witold

 

[Mannlicher]

Think this may be the one you referred to, Steyr-Mannlicher Model M in 8x68s.

It is a Steyr Mannlicher Modell S, because the 8x68S needs the long system of the Modell S.
Modell M was used from 6,5x57 to 9,3x62. The parts made of Makrolon are causing problems.
Many of these older guns had to change these Makrolon-parts like the magazines.

Mannlicher

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Beautiful rifle...man , that is quality....

 

[Rule 303]

That is a great looking rifle. Very good pick up on your part.

 

[NW Hunter]

Indeed, Mannlicher, Modell S, typo on my behalf.
Correct also as to the Makrolon-parts, small piece of Makrolon material broke inside my magazine when hunting red deer close to home with that rifle last month.
When it fell out the magazine still seems to function fine with three rounds in, thought it wiser not to push it with four. However after some searching on-line found a store in Austria (has magazines and full trigger guard sections for these and other Steyr/Mannlicher models, so guess there is demand for these Makrolon-parts), have ordered a replacement.
Away from home working atm, but hopefully the new Magazine has arrived, as heading down to Namibia for a short trip week after next and taking this 8x68.
This time loaded with 220gn Sierre Gamekings at a little bit over 2800fps. Only shot a dozen or so rounds of this load so far, 5 or 6 to dial it in and couple of 3 shot groups, both considerably less than 1", more than happy with that, then brought it out and shot a good size red deer stag, dropped instantly, which in my experience is much more often than not the rule with this caliber.
Really looking forward to using this rifle/load combination in Namibia.

 

[ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS]

Sorry for being late to this party Gert, i did not read the whole post, but if you still have questions about this caliber, you are most welcome to email / whatsapp/ call me.
I have one on a Mauser 98 action, custom build by Gerrie Coetzee, and I absolutely love it for big plains game animals ar medium to long range. When I used to guide a lot of Hartman's zebra, this was my gun of choice.
It has shot quite a few leopard, eland and 3buffalo as well.
My preferred load has always been 220gr Swift A-Frames, with 72gr S365 behind it. Hope this helps!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Karl, thank you, yes I know the 8x68S is your favorite rifle for plains game and it seems for dangerous game as well.. The 8x68S in the photo is a beautiful rifle...I am commencing with the 8x68S build shortly , all the components are ready , I will substitute the standard bottom metal/magazine box with a magnum 3D printed and steel cast bottom metal/trigger guard and magazine box..it will give me more options when re-loading...I will be using Stewart core bonded bullets in the 225-250 gn /if affordable the North Fork core bonded bullets as well, at this stage I did not manage to retrieve any Stewart core bonded bullets I purchased from Hansie Minnaar, this year I need to shoot a blue wildebees bull from the front to try and get hold of a bullet... Thank you kindly for the reply, it is always great to have a formidable hunter/PH like you participating in this thread...and my thanks to all members who take the time to give me your input and opinions as well, it really is much appreciated...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members, I like to share an excellent article about the 8x68S long rifle build by Harold Wolf. This is what I want to build since my 8x57JS has a 29.1 inch barrel ...two long 8 ths ....

 

[dchamp]

Great article, thanks for sharing Gert. I have been a fan of the 8mm for a long time and have them in 57JS, 68s & Rem. Mag. and have never found them wanting. Good luck with your long rifle build. I look forward to reading about your results.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

dcchamp, yes the 8 x 57 JS is my favorite caliber hunting rifle for small to medium antilope bush veld hunting ...I therefore would like this 8x68S for large antilope at longer distances plains hunting...the most important aspect for me is the fact that I like these rifles to have extremely long barrels...if I can get a 30" barrel for the 8x68S it will suite me just fine..here is a photo of my son with his first animal shot with my 8x57 JS..notice the extremely long barrel, it is a 29.1" barrel, step barrel..

 

[dchamp]

Looks like a very nice Black Wilderbeest and a good memory. In the article 'Romancing The Long Rifle' Mr. Wolf menti0ns the that the rifle twist in the 8X57js & 8X68s are different. Do you know what twist rate the 8X68s was designed for or is considered appropriate. Here in the United States most if not all of the manufacturers make either 1-9.5" or 1-10" twist rate barrels for any 8mm.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

According to a persons who build /custom build 8x68S rifles , they recommend a twist of 1: 10 . I really wanted to purchase a barrel with a twist of 1: 9.45 like my 8x57 JS Mauser , but these persons object to this idea and pointed out that the road to go is 1:10 twist. Although another friend of mine Koos de Beer build his 8x68S with a 1:10 twist and he swears by it....I really would like to hear form members who already have a 8x68S to measure their rifle`s twist rate of the barrel and give us some feedback please members???It really would be much appreciated....

 

[garasi]

According to a persons who build /custom build 8x68S rifles , they recommend a twist of 1: 10 . I really wanted to purchase a barrel with a twist of 1: 9.45 like my 8x57 JS Mauser , but these persons object to this idea and pointed out that the road to go is 1:10 twist. Although another friend of mine Koos de Beer build his 8x68S with a 1:10 twist and he swears by it....I really would like to hear form members who already have a 8x68S to measure their rifle`s twist rate of the barrel and give us some feedback please members???It really would be much appreciated....

Hello, my Sauer 202 in 8x68 have 1:11 twist rate. Factory rifle, 650mm barrel lenght.