What do you guys think of the 8 x 68 not very well know in RSA but looks like a super caliber for big game at long ranges.

Almost have the 338 balistics.
Becuase it doesn't have a magnum case with a sharp shoulder I suppose it would feed easier as well than the hot 300's except for the 300 H&H

[ 10-31-2002, 13:28: Message edited by: Safari-Hunt ]

Intermediate between hot 300s and 338. It almost duplicates a 300 wby (8mm vs 7.82mm) at same velocities. I know a french ph who uses it with great success (I think he even killed a few buffaloes with it) on most antelopes, and red deer / wild boar in Europe.

Frederik

I started lusting after a 8x68S many years ago to be teamed with a 6.5x68.

The problem with it appears to be the lighter bullets are designed for the 8x57 and may be too fragile at the higher velocities. And unlike the 338 which has good bullets in the 250 to 350 gr range most of the suitable bullets appear to be 200 and 220 gr bullets in the 8mm

Basically the choices seem to be duplicating the 300s but without the versality. Which is a shame.

If a wider range of bullets were available - say 180 gr for smaller deer, 200 and 220 gr for larger soft skinned and 250 to 275/300 gr for bigger stuff it would be great.

Still undecided as it is still tempting ......

Are you thinking of getting one?

PS They have been used on water buffalo down here using 198 gr RWS FMJs and they reportedly worked fine.

[ 10-31-2002, 13:30: Message edited by: NitroX ]

NitroX,

No, I'm not thinking of getting one just yet but I like the idea of not having the normal 300 but something else. BUt then again the 300 H&H also looks very tempting so much too choose from and so little time to shoot

Not to even talk about the wait period for evey license

First on my list of have to have is a .40 caliber rifle when I get some money together.

Safari-Hunt

I know of a few people who use it, they all think very highly of it, it is kind of popular in Namibia, not like the 30-06 or so on but you do get a few poeple who use them. They say it is a better performer on large game at long range than the 300 magnums. I know of poeple who sold their 300 Winchesters and got them, the only thing that put me of is I have a large supply of bullets for my 300 Win, and don't want to go and buy expensive bullets for the 8 x 68. But I think it is a cartridge that should be more popular

A late buddy, Alec Shraga, had one which he used regularly when we were out hunting. Worked like a charm, he shot everything up to eland with it with great success.
His widow may still have it skulking around. I remember him bitching about ammo cost, he bought several 100 RWS factory rounds.

Flip,

Yes that is precisly what I would have thought when I opened the magnum magazine this month and the cartridge of the month being th 8 x 68.

With 220 grain bullets downloaded a bit it would be a super killer even in close range bushveld.

Doesn't the 8mm have a higher bullet density than the 338 anyway on a 220 grain bullet ?

Safari-Hunt

I agree with you, just think about it getting close to 3200 with 180 grain bullets, downloading it with 220 grain bullets or with claw 250 grain bullets will make it a very good round for shooting of most animals, but dam it is expensive, and the lisense is another thing to think about. I had someone offer me cases for free about a 100, but could not collect them.

/

I well know the lure of shooting something other people aren't! However, for hunting the .338 Win or .340 Weatherby work a lot better than the 8X68. You get larger cross sectional area, heavier bullets, cheaper bullets, better premium bullets, etc.

I think the 8X60 is a "better" bush veld cartridge.

With all that said, I would still like to shoot the 6.5X68 and the 8X68.

jim dodd

Gentlemen,

I would estimate that over half of our clients from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland shoot the 8x68S and they love it. I have seen ammo in the various gun stores in Windhoek, but I don't recall the price. As far as performance goes, I think it worked great on all species of plains game. The Kegelspitzers from RWS tend to blow up a lot of meat if hit in the wrong spot. Stick with the H-Mantles.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

The 6.5x68 was designed for Chamois hunting. its still king of the hill ( read: Alpen ).

For long distance shots on chamois and strong red Stags: 8x68S.

Its a big case - bigger than H&H mags. Its smooth feeding - no silly belt and a sloping shoulder.

200 grs Nosler Partitions, 220 grs Swift A frames, Blaser CDP ( one of the few good things from Blaser ), Woodleigh�s, ...

I WANT ONE!!!

Hermann

Lover of fine beers, chaser of beautiful women, certified gun nut

Never used on but they have some impressive balistics when handloaded....I see no reason not to hunt anything up to Eland with one....

Hallo Alf

Seems you still have a lott of friends over here and seems like the globe, I like the ogies styf toeknyp, betaal en skiet min bit, nice to see Afrikaans on a English websit

Cheers

Flip

I suppose if you close your eyes order 100 cases from Norma on your credit card and get it over with you shouldn't have any problems with the 8 x 68 when reloading.

I like the idea of maybe using 250 grain bullets sounds like a wicked bushveld round.

Nosler makes a fine 200 grain partition for the 8mm that has slightly better SD than the the 180 grain .30 bore. Woodliegh is supposed to make 250 grainers.

Yes, I shoot Woodleigh 250 gr. RN bullets in my 8x57...They are bloody effective.

I like the 8x 68 and we have several clients use them in RSA. Bullet choice is critical! I would like a barrel set up for my Blaser R93 it would be a handy combo for me teamed with the 6,5x68. I really do not care for the expense of ammunition issue, if it does the job then use the gun and belly up to the bar a buy enough ammo to get a discount.

Aleko