Today I acquired a new 8mm barrel at a 'couldn't-say-no price'. Now I have to decide what to do with it and I have always been interested in building an 8x68s.

So, anyone care to offer opinions or suggestions about the 8x68?

I am thinking of using one of my VZ24 actions for this project - any comments on the suitability of a M98 for the 8x68s?

Thanks in advance.

Good luck on your project! That´s the only caliber I can think of nowadays that I sometimes wonder if I need... LOgic says no as I don´t do much (any) long-range shooting. The M98 should take it in standard length but don´t take my word for it, other people here know more about that.

Thats a project that i've have in mind for a while. You will need to lengthen the magazine box as the 8x68 case alone is 2.657 compared to the 8x57 case which is 2.240 & widen the feed rails toward the front a wee bit.

The 8x68 is a wonderful cartridge, and if the engineers at Remington had any sense they would have chambered rifles for this caliber rather than brining out the 8mm Rem Mag.

I agree with 500grains after doing some research on this cartridge, I believe it to much more effecient than the 8mmRem Magnum. I think anyone would be happy to own this caliber rifle. Are you building a target rifle or a hunting rifle?

It's a great cartridge. Especially for elk in the mountains.

It is a very popular cartridge in Europe - in particular for long range mountain hunting. For people who can handle the recoil (about the same level as a .300 Wby), it is a great cartridge, that will handle just about any North American or European game. No belt and the RWS brass is as tough as nails.

Aleko from Heritage Arms just got himself a Blaser R93 barrel in 8x68S, he was chuffed with how well it shot.

The 200 grs NP is just about the ideal bullet for the 8x68S, although the new AccuBond also sounds very interesting!

- mike

13,0g Nosler gives V200 of 774m/s and E200 of 3894J which is impressive, but most hunters prefer lighter 7mm Remington Magnum. Poor ammo selection and it's high cost (vs. 300Mag) hurt popularity of 8x68S. Yes, in Central Europe it's more pupular than .30R Blaser