As my quest continues to decide on the chambering for my custom elk rifle, I think the 8mm-06 AI may be the compromise. I have been waffling between the 338-06 AI and 30-06 AI. Does anyone have any experience with the 8MM-06 AI cartridge? Game taken, loads, etc. Thanks.

C-ROY

C-Roy -I don't have any direct exp with this cartridge but it's gotta be a good one. My only concern is bullet selection. The 8mm is sort of a forgotten caliber by and large and no one seems to be knocking themselves out about designing and producing new bullets for it. If you're happy with the bullets available, I think you'd be very happy with such a rifle. Several advantages to such a project and I wish you luck with it.

[ 12-04-2002, 23:42: Message edited by: Pecos45 ]

Mark Pinkston of Kailuacustom guns has the reamer, and some experiance with the cartridge. Drop him a note.

Plenty of bullets available, 125gr 150, 170, 175, 180,185, 200, 220, and that's just the US makers. Ballistic tips, and Partions available, plus lot's of European bullets.

I have an 8mm-06 AI and am putting one together for a friend. I got the barrel from Wildcat Junkie who also posts on this forum. This is a great wildcat, you can shove 180 gr Nosler BT's along close to 3000 fps, and the 200 gr bullets should hit 2850. 2700 with the 220's rounds out the useful big game bullets, but all of them are good for differant size game. I've used the 8mm-06 on numerous hunting trips, from whitetail to moose, and when I've done my part, this cartridge has done it's job well. A great cartridge as I said. I'm not sure it's any better then the 338-06 (I have one of those as well) but it's differant, and let's you use those good unfired surplus barrels and mausers to good effect. Try it, you'll like it. - Dan

If you are going to use an existing 8mm barrel the 8mm-06 AI is the way to go. If you're going to rebarrel, go with the 338-06 AI. You'll have a much greater bullet selection with the 338 and a hair better performance. Since the 338-06 is a semi standard round, you'll have better resale potential if selling it ever becomes an issue.

The 8mm/'06 AI is a great caliber, BUT, if I were building a rifle JUST FOR ELK (and maybe something larger), I'd go with the .338/'06 AI!!

will the 8-06 AI feed properly from a k98 mauser receiver without retouching the feeding rails or the feeding ramp?
tks.
montero

What cartridge will shoot as flat as a 243 loaded with 100gr bullets yet deliver over 2000ft#s of energy @ over 300yds?

Answer: An 8mm-06 Ackley Improved loaded with 180gr Nosler Balistic Tips @ 2950-3000fps!

The 8mm-06 A.I. loaded with 180gr Balistic Tips will indeed shoot as flat as a 243 with 100gr bullets. The B.C. of the 180gr B.T. is .394, similar to 100gr 243 pills that are suitable for use on Deer sized game. When launched @ similar velocities (they are) the trajectory will be the same.

Although the Nosler Balistic Tip bullets in 8mm and larger are designed for Elk sized game, perhaps you prefer a litle more mass. How about a Nosler 200gr Partition @ 2800-2850fps? Now we can deliver 2000ft#s of energy @ 350yds!

The 200gr 8mm bullet will have a higher B.C. and higher sectional density than a .338 bullet of similar weight. That means that the 200gr bullet from 8mm-06 A.I. will deliver more energy and penetration @ the longer ranges, as the 338-06 A.I. has little velocity advantage @ the muzzle. Any advantage in muzzle velocity is soon overcome by the higher B.C of the 8mm bullet of similar weight.

The old argument about bullet choices does not hold as much water as it used to. Bullet weights range from a 125gr spitzer to a 250gr BRASS SOLID! That is a much broader choice than any caliber with the exception of .308. Granted one may not find a selection of bullets from as many manufacturers as some other calibers, but there is still plenty to choose from.

Want to take care of a Woodchuck problem around the farm while getting some off season practice with your "Elk" rifle. How about a 125gr Hornady spitzer @ 3500fps? Now we are shooting a bullet with a similar B.C. as the Hornady .243 58gr V Max @ a M.V. that is not far behind the .243 loaded thus.

There are also 150gr spitzers, 170gr round noses, 175gr spitzers, 180gr Balistic Tips, 185gr Corelocs, 200gr Match Kings, 200gr Partitions, 200gr spitzers and 220gr boattail spitzer Game Kings. These are only the American choices, go to the European manufacturers and there is a whole new realm to choose from, up to the aformentioned 250gr round nose brass solids.

The comment about rechambering a military barrel is right on, to a point. Yes, in my opinion, it is a shame to not utilize a perfectly good (if it is indeed in good condition) military barrel, and "cheap" replacement barrels in 8mm are not available, I would not hesitate to have a "custom" barrel done in 8mm-06 A.I. I believe that the 8mm bore may be more versitile than the .308 as an "all around" caliber. The 8mm gives little in trajectory and does better in the energy department, especially with heavier bullets.

If one is looking for a rifle for smaller "big" game such as Antelope @ plains ranges, with ocassional use on larger game up to and including Elk, then perhaps the 280 A.I. would be a better choice for an "all around" cartridge.

As Dan Belisle said "Try it you'll like it". I certainly have.

montero:

The rails will indeed need to be opened up, the ramp will not need to be touched. Feed rail work is something I would leave to a "professional" as a mistake here could result in an expensive "paper weight" The magazine on a M98K will have to be lengthened, but a little work with a file will give about 3.380" in length.

[ 12-10-2002, 02:02: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]