Thinking of buying a rifle in this caliber, but I cannot locate a source that sells it, much less in any kind of variety.

Anyone know who manufacutures it, or where it can be had?

This is pretty much a European cartridge, although it is obviously also shot in the US - if in limited quantities.

I know that Aleko from Heritage Arms shoots an 8x68S. So he might be able to tell you where he got ammo from.

You can try to see if the excellent (although expensive) RWS loadings are available in the US via an RWS dealer in the States: RWS US Retailers.

Huntingtons sells both RWS and Horneber 8x68S brass.

In Europe, the ammo is available commecially, at least under the following brands: RWS, Blaser, and Hirtenberger also used to load it, but I don't know if they still do. Both RWS and Hirtenberger are owned by Swiss Ruag, but I believe the ammo is still loaded in the individual facilities of the previously independent brands. The Blaser ammo is most likely loaded by Ruag in Thun, as Blaser does not have its own ammunition manufacturing facility. (Norma also loads some ammo for Blaser, but not the 8x68S as far as I know)

- mike

Old Western Scrounger

LINK

quote:

Originally posted by live4thestalk:
Thinking of buying a rifle in this caliber, but I cannot locate a source that sells it, much less in any kind of variety.

Anyone know who manufacutures it, or where it can be had?

Well if you buy factory ammo so buy the RUAG CDP load or the RWS DK (Doppelkern) load. Or the older Hirtenberger Partition load(it is not produced any longer!) because any other load has too soft bullets for the fast 8x68S(great cartridge!).

If you reload i would only go with RWS brass!!!

I agree, use only RWS brass for this one. New RWS brass can be purchased "reasonably" from Natchez Shooters Supplies on the web. Natchez is doing everyone a favor by stocking RWS brass. I only wish they could get the RWS bullets too. I am having to buy RWS bullets via a friend's Dad whenever Dad goes to Europe, what a pain.
LLS

Unfortunately, if you are shooting an 8*68S in the state you are reduced to shooting handloads. I use RWS brass with 200 grs Nosler Partitions and 200 grs Speer Hot cores. It is a wonderful calibre, it would be nice to get Blaser and RWS ammo in the states for the 8*68S

Aleko

Aleko, and everyone else...

This has been a part time job for me, and I was in heritage arms site today looking for leads (as in clues, not lead) for this caliber, and lo and behold you write a post!

I am not a handloader (yet) so I may just abandon this, or pick up a bunch of factory ammo next time I am in Europe.....too bad it is unavailable.

.

live4stalk,

Just as an outside possibility, have you tried contacting one of the custom ammunition loading companies? I don't know of any off hand, but I do know that several members have had ammunition loaded for oddball calibers by such firms. Try googling "custom loaded ammo;" perhaps one of those people could furnish ammuntion for you or at least have a line on where some may be available. If they could do it, I would suspect it would be expensive but it may help. I'd think it at least worth a shot.

Re_Alf,

Whens the last time American arms manufacturers listened to what the Europeans were doing? Granted, they do occasionally...but not often...

Thanks for the tips, I do not reload, altough I would like to some day.

I did find a place, Superior Ammo, to make me up some in good bullets, and they will ahve em to me in a day or two, so they are a good source for odd calibers.