8X68s revisited

[Gert Odendaal]

Hi Gert............One bull hit too far back and too high at about 200 yards. Bullet popped core, but massive tissue destruction fell in less than 30 yards. One other at 130 or so quartering toward me..........like grenade had gone off in chest. So no long range shots, but confident it would have done the trick......................Bill

Bill, what grain bullets/make did you use Sir??

 

[Aaron N]

Hope this helps. The 8x68s cartridge shown is with a 170gr Hornady SST @ 3.425"/87mm oal. Shown are pictures of cartridge in a M48 Mauser and a Sako 85 Magazine for the 8x57.
View attachment 282018 View attachment 282019 View attachment 282020

Also here is the C.I.P. spec sheet for the 8x68s.
tabical-en-page63.pdf

I have just discovered this issue as well. There seems to be enough meat to take out of the front. Would anything have to happen with the follower?

 

[sestoppelman]

I have just discovered this issue as well. There seems to be enough meat to take out of the front. Would anything have to happen with the follower?

Is not the M48 action shorter than a standard 98, by about a quarter inch? That would be enough to throw things off.

I had made a year or so ago an 8x64s ( rechamber) on a Zastava 98 action and can load my rounds to nearly 3.4". The box length is about 3.45".
This is a wonderful round and in the 24" factory 8mm barrel I can drive a 220gr Sierra Game King to over 2700 fps with no issues. Thats good for 3600 lbs of ME.
Recoil is not objectionable and its a very accurate rifle.
Might be a good alternative.

 

[Aaron N]

Is not the M48 action shorter than a standard 98, by about a quarter inch? That would be enough to throw things off.

I had made a year or so ago an 8x64s ( rechamber) on a Zastava 98 action and can load my rounds to nearly 3.4". The box length is about 3.45".
This is a wonderful round and in the 24" factory 8mm barrel I can drive a 220gr Sierra Game King to over 2700 fps with no issues. Thats good for 3600 lbs of ME.
Recoil is not objectionable and its a very accurate rifle.
Might be a good alternative.

Sorry, it’s a 98 action. While placing a cartridge on top of the box, the bullet extends to the mid point of the front wall.

I will get some pictures and measurements later today.

 

[sestoppelman]

Sorry, it’s a 98 action. While placing a cartridge on top of the box, the bullet extends to the mid point of the front wall.

I will get some pictures and measurements later today.

I was referring to the other poster that showed an M48 action.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I was referring to the other poster that showed an M48 action.

Is the M48 the Yugo Mauser? I knew at one time but it has escaped me.

 

[sestoppelman]

Is the M48 the Yugo Mauser? I knew at one time but it has escaped me.

Yes. However many captured K98 rifles are often called Yugo's too because they were remarked as such, but the M48 model is a post war Yugo made rifle and is shorter than standard.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The last rifle I will build in my lifetime. I have shot several oryx with a borrowed 8X68 and Speer 200 grainers. What a hammer. Gert's thread got me started. Anyone with experience have length problems with this cartridge in a standard model 98?......................................Flatwater

@flatwater bill
Bill, Bill, Bill how many times have we said this is the last one rifle I will build. I said it after my first on and second one, two more rifleles later and hopefully 4 will see me out. But you never know.
Bob

 

[flatwater bill]

Ya, so true Bob............for my deer hunt last year I looked at all my rifles that were suitable for medium game, .................there were 42 of them. Rifles are difficult to sell.....I try to, but remember all the memories of the good hunts, then keep the gun. They accumulate. And a still need one more. Just one. They say "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" and I am probably far along on that highway.....good hunting............Bill

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Ya, so true Bob............for my deer hunt last year I looked at all my rifles that were suitable for medium game, .................there were 42 of them. Rifles are difficult to sell.....I try to, but remember all the memories of the good hunts, then keep the gun. They accumulate. And a still need one more. Just one. They say "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" and I am probably far along on that highway.....good hunting............Bill

@ flatwater bill
You have to have a few spares in case one doesn't work or the scope fails or it's-------------- fill in the blank.
You have a good start on the good intentions highway. Keep happy mate and enjoy life.
Guns are like sex you can't have to much in your lifetime, but both come with warnings.

 

[PerH]

Is not the M48 action shorter than a standard 98, by about a quarter inch? That would be enough to throw things off.

I had made a year or so ago an 8x64s ( rechamber) on a Zastava 98 action and can load my rounds to nearly 3.4". The box length is about 3.45".
This is a wonderful round and in the 24" factory 8mm barrel I can drive a 220gr Sierra Game King to over 2700 fps with no issues. Thats good for 3600 lbs of ME.
Recoil is not objectionable and its a very accurate rifle.
Might be a good alternative.

ZG 49 Sn

The ZG 49 Sn and the related ZG 51 Sn[1][2] are Czech prototype sniper rifles. The ZG 49 Sn was the brainchild of Czech designer Otakar Galaš (1904 – 1968, aged 63/64) who decided to develop his own specialized sniper rifle in 1949; this design would end up becoming the ZG 49 Sn, which used a...

guns.fandom.com

Another what could have been . Bit sad also Czechs did not adopt the ZG as sniper. Who knows if Stasi, Spetznatz ,and Agency boys had a coveted item to try to get into their inventory as a price also back then.

 

[rigbymauser]

If one are into building something special maybe the 8x75S is worth noticing. Can be made in a standard length M98 using a magazinbox length that takes up to 3,6" cartridges.

Imagine a german style rifle with 1/2 round 1/2 oct barrel with full-length filed cut rip with ironsights, Suhler ein Hack, classic stock with schnable forend, sidepanel, 28" barrel, settrigger.....