What is the operating pressure of this round? Would it put less stress on a Mauser action than something like a 270, or belted magnum?

Thanks,
Todd

/

Todd, certainly not ! The 8x68S is a hot number and a true magnum devised before marketeers thought it would make the mag's more sellable by putting a (useless) belt around them. In power, the big 8 squeezes between the .300 and .338 mag.

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like a good one for an alloy action. I am looking for something kinder and gentler, for a case-hardened DWM that had some lug problems (one I get it re-cased).

I am still very interested in the 8x68 -- that would go well with a 9.3x62.

Todd

Todd, Wildcat Junkie on this site put together an 8 X 68S recently. You might want to do a search. I'm putting one together myself, at this point I'm tracking down brass (a little hard to come by on this side of the pond, at least for a reasonable amount of money). Dies are easy to get, it seems to be a little hotter then the 8mm-06 AI and a little behind the Rem 8mm Mag. - Dan

Dan OWS has Hirtenberger 8x68 brass at a good price.
http://www.ows-ammunition.com/cgi-bin/catalog25/search

[ 11-21-2002, 02:50: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

Thanks Bearclaw. - Dan

Hello Dan - you can make cases for the 8x68 by fireformimg .280 Ross cases ...... :-)

You might have to turn the rim down a fraction.

I know that it works the other way - ie 8x68 to 0.280 Ross - because that is what I feed my Ross rifle. It's a much closer match than using belted cases.

My own private opinion is that Gerlich, when he couldn't get the performance from the Ross case (0.280 Halger), then did an Ackley on it - and RWS took it from there.

When I fired the first factory rounds through my Sauer 80 - I did a double take - about 10 times.

The primer was absolutely flattened, but dead flat, no radius in the corner. If it wasn't for the difference in colour between the case and the primer you wouldn't have even thought that there was a separate primer.

The base showed every little machining mark on the face of the bolt and the case had grown just over 0.020" in length. The base of the case showed a shiny square that protruded 0.005" above the base - exactly where there was an extractor groove.

All the classic signs of a gross overload.

Extraction was quite normal.

I queried it with the agents in Namibia and they brushed my concern to one side and acknowledged that the cartridge operated almost at the limit of the brass- but not to worry.

I thanked them, resumed breathing and, in the interest of case life, reduced my reloads by a couple of grains.

Recently in a post to me Lutz Moeller mentioned that while the 8x68 and the 9.3x64 have the same case capacity, the 8x68 case will operate at pressures that will expand the 9.3x64's primer pocket.

Nice calibre - enjoy - edi

I have two friends that have 8x68S rifles. And it seems like this is a very accurate cartridge. The 8x68S approx. duplicates the 338 Win.Mag., but the 338 has a slight advantage then it comes to heavyer bullets. (over 200 grs.)
It's common to have 1/2 MOA groups with this cartridge.
Shortly said:
This is a damnd good all-round cartridge!

Thanks for the info Edi. - Dan

/

Interesting thread, and an interesting history for this cartridge.

Alas, it appears it would be WORSE than a 270 as far as abusing my DWM action, so I think I will go with the 8x57JS. This will give me a nice combination of a 7x57, 8x57, and 9.3x62 (35 Whelen got dumped in favor of this), all original Mauser cartridges on vintage Mauser actions.

Thanks to all for your input.

Todd

Hello Alf - that 0.2mm (0.008") difference at the base is a lot less than the unsupported ring just ahead of the rim on a 0.375 H&H case. That being the case that everyone recommends as a source case for forming 0.280 Ross cases.

While the rim of the 8x68 is 0.7mm (0.028")smaller in diameter than the semi-rimmed rim of the Ross - the extractor claw still gets a good purchase and pulls out the case without any problem. After all the rim is only 0.35mm (0.014") smaller as far as the extractor is concerned. Originally I thought that I would have to make a new extractor - but I tried it out and found that everything works just fine.

While comparing case dimensions - I make 0.300 Sherwood cases from 0.222 cases. I'll leave you to check the dimensions :-)

Hello Todd - now you've got me worried! I was about to introduce a 1904 K98 Erfurt action to a Walther barrel in 0.270 Win. I'll check the hardness of the action and bolthead before going any further.

Please guys - I have absolutely no proof for my comments on the origin of the 8x68 - but what the hell - never let facts interfere with a good story.

cheers edi

Hola Edi

Your Erfurt 1904 should have a bolt around 50 + Rockwell , and the action it's difficult to test as it's made case hardening with soft core , but not check outside as you'll found it very soft , check in the feeding ramp receiver magazine lips , as the flame to get it red hot comes from the barrel treads to the tang area , to have a very good toughness in the vital areas of the bolt locking and feeding ramp and rear bridge , ( not outside ) try with a file and you'll feel the case hardening , for me it's OK to made this rebarreling .

Saludos

Daniel

Greetings Daniel - thank you for this information. I shall continue the project with a happy heart.

cheers edi

dan belisle: Contact Ralf Martini at Cranbrook re 8X68 brass. He mentioned that he had quite a bit of it last spring when I was discussing reforming to 30 Newton with him. Sorry don't have his # handy but try him at Hagn and Martini. best

Thanks Stocker - Dan

Glad to see you back after your horse wrestling incident, WJ. I didn't mean to imply that you were completed on this project, bad choice of words on my part. Let me know how it comes along when you can. Hopefully I'll be fitting that barrel you sent me this weekend. Take care - Dan

Hola Wildcat

You can open the chamber and use the standard magazine , until you are right and want to progress in the project , then it's time to enlarge the magazine if you are not satisfied with the result you can change the barrel to another caliber and maybe you don't need a large magazine box , also I have a few cases in 8 x 68 RWS one fired , e-mail me you address and put under the Xmas tree.

Saludos

Daniel

Daniel M:

Interesting point about proceeding without lengthening the magazine. I could use it as a single shot for the time being.

A 3.5" magazine would not be overly long for 30-06 class cartridges if I decide to trash the 8X68S. My M700 Mountain Rifle in 280 Rem. has a 3.70" magazine!

I don't think the side rails of the receiver will require much work as the taper of the case seems to be the same as 8X57js. I can get empty cases to feed through the unmodified action. The as issued extractor and bolt face even picks up the case rim, albeit precariously. The last one tends to hang up, but when the magazine has been lengthened. the bolt face opened up and a bullet is seated in the case perhaps this will remedy itself.

I looked a little further down the page of "Quickload" data. A 100% density load of Vihtavuori N560 shows 2882fps with the 200gr Partition @ 55,614psi. This is again @ 3.425" COL in a 24" barrel. Perhaps a compressed load of 105% density would yeild another 100fps without sending pressure over 60,00psi. Does anybody know if "Quickload" will do "compressed" loads?

[ 11-28-2002, 19:31: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]

Hola Wildcat , not a single shot , you can seat a little deeper the bullets in the case and it's OK , you compress the powder a little but you gain a little more free bore , the Germans RWS original loads , KS in 220 and 185 grains are very deep seated , I'll measure and give you the actual OAL , for sure the 220 KS fit OK in a standard unmodified magazine .

Saludos

Daniel