I don't believe the velocity on the bullets for which they are loading. I've been playing with several 338's and NONE equal or get close to the Win Mag, nor to the velocity they claim for the 325. They are slower by about 100 fps in all the bullet weights. One rifle enabled seating the bullets out as far as you wanted and you still can't equal Win Mag so I can't see how they would do it in a 8mm with longer bullets of the same weights. They're already marketing but there are going to be some disappointed buyers if they are relying on the published ballistics.

It would also be good for Moose, Bear, (even the big ones)etc.

Yup Brad , dam Winchester , why didn't those sob s make this a 9mm(.35) (grin) .



Wildcat Junkie.....to get those quoted ballistics , they will load this new cartridge to the gills , as hot as the cases will stand , just like the other WSM caretridges . That's the way they will get it to look "better" than the old .338 . What really will the 200 gr 8mm at 2950 do that the .300 WSM with a 180 at 3050 not do ? You will never see any difference in the field



I hope no one considers rechambering war surplus 8mm mausers to this new round . I think the combination of pretty high pressure with factory cartridges, along with the heavy bolt thrust inherent with WSM design and possibly soft old military actions has the potential to screw up someone's day......

Why doesn�t say someone: "8x68S"?

No belt, fat case, steep shoulder ( both not too extreme for reliable functioning ), works in a Mauser action ( lenghtwise, and its one of the fattest cases you should do in a Mauser ).

I appreciate the new bullet, I will use it in my future 8x68S.

Hermann

Bitch, bitch, bitch. They make a 300 WSM and all you hear is "thats just more of the same thing in a different shape".



I think what we are seeing here is confirmation in the gun world that it too is becoming an international market. Also I view this as affirmation that Winchester is doing more than just looking at what will sell in developing such a chambering, they had to be looking at what is really efficent in their case to come to a conclusion like this.



Parker Ackley refered to the 8mm as a "much neglected number". I say its about time that someone like Winchester realized its potential usefulness with a case that isnt either anemic or ludicrous. I think the WSM case and a .323" dia slug are a real good fit. And maybe this means I can start getting some 196 grn Hornadys without having to mail order that damn things.



Granted it isnt going to be much different from a 300 WSM, but it IS halfway from there to a 338. Ill side with the positive prospects of this development. There may yet be a 35 or ??? WSM down the road, I dont think they are going to go away.



Looking at the #'s posted, it appears to be quite similar to the 300 with 200's, but leaves it in the dust with 220's.

Brad:
I agree wholeheartedly. My .338 mag accurate load give me a bit over 2825 fps with a 225 gr. Northfork. When sighted in +3" at 100 yds., the drop at 300 yds. is not quite 7". These figures are from the chrono & from actually shooting out to 300. I don't see where this new chambering fills much of a niche.
Bear in Fairbaks

I agree with Brad on this one. When it comes to Alaska hunting (some of you mentioned "bears"), whoever wants to use his 8mm with a 200-grain bullet can do that, but for me a .338 with a 250-grain bullet at 2,700 fps, or a .300WM with a 200-grainer at 2,700+ fps is much better medicine.

I think many of the arguments leveled at the first WSM offerings apply here, as do their defenses.
Fact is, there's not a whole lot of difference in the jumps we already have (go from 260 R up to 338 Win Mag and it's a pretty steady climb.) Throw in the RUM line on top, and squeeze Winchester's magnums into a smaller action, and then tell me how to sell a rifle. The "other" guys have something, we need something. Innovation is the name of the game. The CRPF hasn't made a huge splash, though it probably cost a pretty penny, and the market is for "guns with balls," but still under 4k ft lb. The 338 WSM isn't as "innovative" as an 8mm, and so there you have it.
If you're looking for a "niche" to justify a new round, well, you better look hard. You or I may have our favorite, but the mass sales needed for profit call for mostly smoke and mirrors and a few thousand suckers, NOT smart ballistics.
Muself, I'd love a M70 compact with express sights and a 20" bbl chambered in 10mm WSM shooting 320 grainers at ~2450fps! That'll happen.
All that said, if you had no gun, and went to buy, there's really nothing wrong with an 8mm WSM for deer, moose, caribou, even bear. What's not to like?

That's it Brad, next time I'm in Bozeman, I'm going to make you drink Fat Tire Ale 'till you puke! - Dan

Dan, you must be a prophet... I'm literally sitting here drinking a Fat Tire as I type! I think your prophetic edge doesn't extend to the 8mm WSM tho...

Gents.

Why keep messing with the light calibers, there is a bunch out there already. Just step up to the plate and give us a heavy. Something along the lines of the 458 Noveske. Two loadings. A light load for medium game, and a heavy for the big stuff.

John's getting, I believe 2600 with a 300 grainer, and will let us know what a 500 is capable of soon. His round is the 300 WSM necked up to 458.

Roger QSL