Recommended contour for a 8x68s? Using a Lilja barrel.

Going with a 25.4" barrel.

I used a 24" #2 for a 280 AI.

I used a #2 Douglas for an 8x57, but it was a 20" barrel.

My 7mm Mag has a 26" #2.

I would do it as a 3 or a 4 and make it 25 inches long. But I like heavy rifles.

It is a great cartridge.

I thought it would be more popular in Germany, and I am not sure where it officially sits, but I would guess it is 3rd or 4th most popular magnum behind the 7mm Rem, 300 Win and 300 Wby. Germans don't handload in the same numbers that Austrians do. It is more popular in Austria.

Popular German rounds are 8x57, 30-06, 308, 7x64, 9.3x62. You can go to www.frankonia.de. and look at the rifles for sell from Blaser, Sauer and Merkel. The majority of them are only available in those five calibers. Frankonia only did special orders on random things, mostly they relied on their huge corporate buying power so they didn't stock a huge variety of calibers.

I was looking for a Heym SR30 in 8x68S in their long range model, but never found one, it worked out as I bought my dream rifle right after getting home a month ago.

Here is an example from Blaser
https://www.frankonia.de/p/bla...?navCategoryId=62283

And from Sauer
https://www.frankonia.de/p/sau...?navCategoryId=62283

https://www.frankonia.de/p/sau...?navCategoryId=62283

Merkel
https://www.frankonia.de/p/mer...&navCategoryId=62283

Every time I tried to order something strange they blocked me and told me to go to a small dealer. Because of volume, they only have what they have. Kind of like Sportsmans Warehouse.

I just built one using the original 1930 Oberndorf pattern, and it was the perfect weight. 25 inches long, .650 muzzle, stepped once as per Mauser Sporter type. I have the pattern....

I'm going with a Kreiger contour #3 that will be finished at 25". I built the 6.5x68 on a Kreiger #2 contour also finished at 25".

Both of these will be built on 1909 Argentinian M98 actions in a Wildcat stock. The 6.5 is topped with a Vortex Razor HD LH scope. Without being loaded my 6.5 weighs 8.6 lbs, so sub 9 lbs all in.

My choice we’re into build an 8x68S would be to duplicate the contour of a Sauer 90 in this caliber.

I love mine and would just duplicate it.

I lost count of the many animals I hunted with 8x68 and 200 Swift- A Frame. Still a good following in Germany.

I built several using the LW Art 722 contour, and they have been fine performers.

A #3 will finish at 9 to 9.5 and that's about right for the caliber IMO. My 8x60 finishes at 8.5, and its about a 3 at 24 inches.

/What bothers me about the 8x68 is the primers, I prefer good old Amerincan primers, that I can buy at the local stores..Ive thought about an 8mm on a 9.3 x 62 case, but then we have the .338 and .375, just my take on the subject, that can change in a flash on any given day