I am wondering why the 8x57 isnt more popular for plains game and such in Africa. Historically it seems to have once been very popular but has lost its glory as of late. What is the reasoning behind its lack of use? Is it used commonly by residents over there?

I know with factory ammo it is very anemic and under powered. But handloaded or using factory ammo that loads it decently, like Norma, it is a very capable round.

I would like to hear your opinions on this round and any knowledge you have about its historical use in Africa.

I wonder, Bill, if the lack of appreciation for the 8mm is just an American thing. This question might get a lot of "Whaddyer talkin' about?" responses from the European members. Except for a few years after WWII, the 8x57 was never populat in the US and, in fact, 8mm cartridges have just simply not caught on here. On the other side of the pond, though, it's a whole different world. Perhaps we just don't hear about how many German, Dutch, Belgian, etc. hunters are carrying 8mm's.

quote:

Originally posted by M1Tanker:
I am wondering why the 8x57 isnt more popular for plains game and such in Africa.

I believe that the reason is that people tended and tend to opt for a gun to take to Africa, which is considered capable of taking all possibly encountered game. Among the metric cartridges, the 9,3x62 was, for a long time, one of the most popular non-magnum African cartridges.

The 8x60 also enjoyed some popularity, and Finn Aagard has commemorated this fine cartridge. Its olden "Magnum" and "Magnum-Bombe" loads were definitely better suited for long shots than the normal 8x57 IS loads.

Carcano

OldSarge,
I personaly enjoy shooting and reloading the 8x57. While I was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX me and a few friends used restored surplus rifles for a deer and hog hunt. I used a very nice VZ-24 and had great results.

I think a nice combiation for Africa would be the 8x57 loaded with Partitions for Plains Game and a 375 H&H for the big stuff.

I agree with that evaluation. The 8x57 loaded up to full potential is so close to an '06 that no Kudu could tell the difference. I might prefer the 8x62 (or is it 8x63?) but again, what difference would it make to a warthog? I think you ought to take that safari and report back to us.

M-1,

The only reason is that the army that used the 8X57 kept loosing wars! They got occupied for half a century after the last one and their 8X57's got reamed out to 60mm.

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