8x57

10 December 2002, 10:27

9point3

8x57

I've got a hankering to put an 8x57 barrel on a late model Husky, I think even though it has been aroud a long time, it would be different enough in a modern rifle to be cool.

Do any of you medium bore buffs have any insight on the caliber?

I'm thinkin about the 200gr Nosler or maybe the 220gr Hornady as my starting point.

What do ya'll think?

10 December 2002, 10:48

Stonecreek

Sounds like fun. The Nosler will perform well over a range of velocities and should take care of anything from whitetails to moose over reasonable ranges.

You may be able to find 8 x 57 brass readily enough, but if not, I've never had any trouble forming it from '06.

[ 12-10-2002, 01:49: Message edited by: Stonecreek ]

10 December 2002, 11:17

wildcat junkie

Anyone that has been around this forum for awhile knows that I am a "rabid" fan of the 8mm bore.

I have an 8mm-06 Ackley Improved on a rechambered M98K, I am working on rechambering another M98K to 8X68S and I eventualy want to rebarrel an "intermediate length" commercial VZ500 M98 action to 8X57. The VZ500 action has the "butterknife" bolt handle and a lever release hinged floorplate. I think it would be sexy in a full length "Manlicher" stock.

I personaly have loaded the 8X57 to 2800fps with 180gr Nosler Balistic Tips, a little over 2600fps with 200gr Partitions. I would expect the 220s to come in @ 2450fps or so.

IMR 4064 in compressed loads works well with the 180s, IMR 4350 works well with the 200gr Partition when slightly compressed. This is with cases formed from once-fired military 30-06 brass.

10 December 2002, 13:58

Wstrnhuntr

If your going to put a new bbl in 8X57 on then why not make it a 8X57 AI? With the bullets you mentioned it should definatly benefit from the extra powder and it is still an 8X57, just not the same old 8X57 everyone else has. Besides, I want to know how how well one of those performs and if you made yours improved then you can let me know.. [Big Grin]

That is if I dont do it first.. [Wink]

The 8X57 cast bullet mold in the cast forum under old fellers post look interesting as well.. I think Im going to order one.

10 December 2002, 14:21

9point3

I was wondering how long it would take until the AI was mentioned.

It's a possibility but I will probably lean towards the standard.

10 December 2002, 19:03

Mauserkid

Heck,,, GO all out and make it an 8mm Gibbs..

10 December 2002, 22:30

<BigBob>

9 point 3,
My wifr a a M-98 that her father brought home at the end of WW II. The rifle had been customized. The way this cartridge is loaded in this country is a shame . When loaded to its safe potential the cartridge is almost on an even footing with the '06. Our daughter Chris now has the rifle and has taken several elk with it. The load pushes a Sierra 175 grain SBT to 2675 fps. I'm glad that Kathy likes her pre-64 Win. M-70 FW in .270. I don't think I could get that rifle back from Chris with a baseball bat. The fifth edition of the Hornady loading manual has loads that go to 50,000 psi. I make 8x57 cases out of .30-06 without much trouble. Good luck. [Smile]

10 December 2002, 23:51

<.>

In a 98/22 Czech Mauser with a 29" bbl. (I think), I'm getting 2965 fps chrono'd (Oehler 35 twin screen) from 155 gr. surplus Turk circa 1940's ammo -- the cheap stuff in the green bandoleers. Similar chrono speeds with the Equadoran ammo in the grey cardboard 15 rd. box (on clips), circa 1950's.

Phenomenal accuracy out to 700 yds with this set up. Iron sights off a bench at rocks about the size of an office chair. We can pick which corner of the rock we want to hit. Same results with a M-1938 Turk.

That's what the surplus guns are turning out with surplus ammo.

11 December 2002, 13:11

Atkinson

I shoot a nice old Brno 21 rifle in 8x57...I really like it with 160 gr. GS custom H.V. bullets...It works great on deer and elk...I also shoot the 200 gr. Speer and Noslers, the 185 Rem Corelokts, and the 225 gr. Woodleighs...

The 8x57 is an all around winner akin to our 06, maybe a tad better and closer to a 338-06, but that is debatable. The europeans love it.

11 December 2002, 17:12

Nitroman

In Persian m98/29, throat lengthened 0.300" to allow use of long bullets, using Hornady 220 grain and H4831sc I can get 2450fps but that is very heavily compressed. I don't cruch it that much, just for a few cartridges to check it. Those I think were max. 220 grains at 2450 is excellent. I have some 180 and 200 grain Barnes that I want to try. i think the 200's would be just about perfect at 2550 fps.

12 December 2002, 12:04

TERRY8mm

Go for the 8, its a great round.
There is a cartridge from Bosnia, called Igman, that is non-cor,and reloadable. So far it shoots very well from several of my "8's".

Good luck with your project.

13 December 2002, 16:58

45nut

Terry,
Where do you buy the Bosnian ammo? TIA 45nut

13 December 2002, 17:24

Major Caliber

quote:
Originally posted by 45nut:
Terry,
Where do you buy the Bosnian ammo? TIA 45nut

AimSurplus

14 December 2002, 00:51

bama7x57

What process is involved in making 8x57 from 30-06 brass. Is there a specific set of dies needed or will a full lenght 8x57 sizer do it? Thanks in advance.

bama7x57

14 December 2002, 03:05

Pecos41

I've made tons of 8mm brass with the RCBS file trim die. Run it in, cut it off, FL size it in your 8X57 dies and load.

I wouldn't mess with the "improved" version of this cartridge. It was damn well designed to begin with. As all have said, it's an excellent round; however, it definately needs the loving touch of the reloader to bring out its true potential. Factory ammo for it sux.

14 December 2002, 05:07

wildcat junkie

quote:
Originally posted by bama7x57:
What process is involved in making 8x57 from 30-06 brass. Is there a specific set of dies needed or will a full lenght 8x57 sizer do it? Thanks in advance.

bama7x57

In the absence of a "trim" die, I used a "razor saw" (hobby tool) to trim of enough case length so that the pilot for my Lee trimmer would just enter the flash hole. (This was done before running through the full length 8X57 resizing die) After sizing, a few pulls on the "Zip Trim" an viola, 8X57 cases.

If there is a CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) near you, you can get all the once fired 30-06 brass you will ever need. Try to get in on the "Service Rifle Clinic". That is when they allow novices to "Qualify" for the program. Few of the "newbies" will save their brass and it will be free for the asking, esspecialy if you offer to "police" it up. A few turns with the inside portion of the Lee deburring tool will remove enough of the primer pocket crimp to make primer seating a snap.

The 8X57Js is probably one of the most "effecient" rounds ever developed. If one chooses an appropriate powder, maximum velocities can be reached @ 100% or more load density without excess pressure.

49gr IMR 4064 yeilded 2800fps with 180gr Nosler Balistic Tips. I didn't get a chance to work much with the 200gr partitions, but IMR4350 would exceed 2600fps with the 200gr Partitions. Again they were full density loads, but I didn't record the charge. This was with the brass formed as described above using CCI primers. The weapon was a like new M98K (circa 1942) with the issue barrel of 23 5/8".

[ 12-13-2002, 20:10: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]

14 December 2002, 19:19

TERRY8mm

Sorry, been travling.
www.ammunitionstore.com

15 December 2002, 02:14

Major Caliber

The 8x57 is a marvel of efficency, I was just looking at the Sierra manual, they have 7 powders listed, 5 give the same speed for a max load. In chrono tests, I've seen extremely uniform loads, once I thought my chrono was broke, I had 3 shot's in a row with the exact same velocity, so I had to fire my .270 across the screens to see if it was working, it was. The load was with H-380.

[ 12-14-2002, 17:14: Message edited by: GSF1200 ]

15 December 2002, 02:28

bama7x57

Thanks wildcat. I have a lee trimmer so I can follow your advice word for word. Looks like I have a "project" to work on this evening. I have a Turkish mauser and with milsurp 155 fmj it cronos 2950 pretty consistantly.

Bama

21 December 2002, 03:53

<Gary in Ohio>

Here is how I form 8x57 from 30-06.
First I run the '06 cases just through the expander ball. Then I look at this pile of 8mm-06 cases and ask WHY I don't ream the chamber. Then I trim then, run them through the resizing die (it's easier to size trimmed cases), then trim them again.
I have done a couple of hundred cases this way some to save money and some to use Winchester brass instead of Remington. But I've done my last one. From now on I'll but Win 8x57 if I can find them and Rem if I can't. Now if I was to get a few hundred matched headstamp '06 cases (WIN or Lake City) I MIGHT change my mind.