The Accurate Reloading Forums
8x68 info needed
28 December 2004, 18:46
z1r8x68 info needed
Hi all,
I'm contemplating a couple of new rifles and have chosen the 6.5x55 as one and am having a hard time deciding between the 8x68 or the 9.3x62 for the other. The 9.3 has both a good rep and a nostalgic appeal but since I have a .416 it is basically covered. The 8x68 would seem to fill the void in the smaller calibers up to .338. I already have a 338-06 but no magnum to speak of in that range.
I can't seem to find much data in the 8x68. I know where to find components but not useful ballistic data.
Input welcome.
Thanks.
28 December 2004, 19:09
Mike375Here is a link to the Clymer Reamers for rimless cases. Just scroll down the calibre listings to the 8 X 68S. Can't link directly
http://www.clymertool.com/cgi-bin/reamer.cgi?cmd=CMD_START&gunID=2&reamerID=7As you can see the case is slighly larger on the head than is a 300 Winchester just in front of the belt and it is slightly smaller than at the shoulder than the 300 Winchester and the length of the cases is about the same.
So it will be just a little less than the 8mm Remington magnum. Actually the 8 X 68 would relate to the 8mm Remington about the same way as the 300 Winchester relates to the 300 Weatherby
Here is a link to Hodgdon loading data for the 8mm Remington magnum.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/8mmremag.phpThose velocities look to be less than what an 8 mm Remington should be capable of and are probably pretty close to what can be expected from the 8 X 68
Mike
28 December 2004, 19:14
djpaintlesIf you don't read German you might try one of the translater programs on this:
http://www.brenneke.de/web/text/8x64.pdfThis site mostly in German has more than you will ever want to know about the 8x68S, including some of the ugliest muzzle brakes you will ever see......
http://home.snafu.de/l.moeller/8x68S.htmlAlso again in german you can find tons of info on the:
http://www.wildundhund.de/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi forum.
Hope some of this helps........DJ
28 December 2004, 20:38
KurtC Look Here29 December 2004, 03:51
<eldeguello>Thanks to Hornady for this information:



Hope this helps! I've always thought this would be a great round!

29 December 2004, 05:24
z1rVielen Dank f�r Ihren antworten!
It looks like the 8x68 is just what I need to fill the void of both the .300 win mag & .338 win mags. Looks like it'll shoot 150 or 170 grainers nice & flat and still have enough to throw the heavy weights around at respectible velocities.

I'll end up with a 9.3x62 someday just not this year.

Heck, it'll probably take me most of this year to build the 8x68.

04 January 2005, 21:24
El DeguelloBitte schoen, mein freind!!
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
05 January 2005, 18:14
JefferyDenmarkThe 8x68s is king of the 8mm caliber
You will not regret it.
Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE
06 January 2005, 20:52
z1rGuys,
thankls for all the input. I have just about convicned myself to order the barrel however I want to see if any of you know of bullets heavier than 220 grains? It would seem to me that if I could find something a tad heavier maybe up to 250 grains then it truely would be a replacement for both the .300 & .338 Win mags.
I think woodliegh makes a 250 roundnose but I'd prefer a spitzer if available. Although, given the case length & OAL issues a roundnose really probably makes the most sense.
Aut vincere aut mori
06 January 2005, 21:41
El Deguelloquote:
Originally posted by z1r:
Guys,
thankls for all the input. I have just about convicned myself to order the barrel however I want to see if any of you know of bullets heavier than 220 grains? It would seem to me that if I could find something a tad heavier maybe up to 250 grains then it truely would be a replacement for both the .300 & .338 Win mags.
I think woodliegh makes a 250 roundnose but I'd prefer a spitzer if available. Although, given the case length & OAL issues a roundnose really probably makes the most sense.
IF you decide to go to a spitzer heavier than 220 grains, make sure your twist is fast enough! You might have to make them yourself, or contact a custom bulletmaker.
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
07 January 2005, 02:33
<JOHAN>quote:
Originally posted by JefferyDenmark:
The 8x68s is king of the 8mm caliber
André
It is a very potent round that is most interesting

'Vorsprung durch technik'

Cheers
/ JOHAN
07 January 2005, 08:59
johnnyrebBoth Woodleigh and Hawk make 250 grain .323" bullets. Didn't some of the European companies load their 8mmS rounds with 227 and 244 grain bullets?
07 January 2005, 09:44
z1rJohnnyreb, Thanks.
eldeguello, what do you consider a fast enough twist. It seems most European Manufacturers have settled on 1 in 11" or 280mm.
Aut vincere aut mori
07 January 2005, 17:11
El Deguelloquote:
Originally posted by z1r:
Johnnyreb, Thanks.
eldeguello, what do you consider a fast enough twist. It seems most European Manufacturers have settled on 1 in 11" or 280mm.
zlr, I'd actually have to know the exact length of the bullet you are going to use to be able to determine what an optimum twist would be. However, according to my "abstruse calculations" using the Greenhill formula, a 1/11" twist would stabilize a bullet up to slightly over 4 calibers in length, which for an S-bore 8mm would be 1.4226" long.
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
07 January 2005, 21:37
z1rThanks. Given that, I dont think that 250's would be a problem then.
Aut vincere aut mori
08 January 2005, 03:46
JefferyDenmarkJohan
'Vorsprung durch technik'
LOL

Z1R
The 220 grn bullet will off most that walks the earth and quite flat too I might add.

Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE
08 January 2005, 03:47
justanothernorwegianjust out of curiosity, what would the advantage of the 8x86 over an 338 be??? Why is it king?
08 January 2005, 04:48
JefferyDenmarkNorge
Just study the data and you will see.
Velocity, trajectory, no belt etc.
The 8x68s is furthermore perfect for a mauser action, with the right buttom metal that is.
Do not get me wrong I like the .338 in any shape. I hunted RSA with the 338 LM and it is a great killer too. But I would rather have a 8x68s
JMO

Cheers,
André
Always always use enough... GUN & KNIFE