8x68

23 September 2003, 23:51

Karoo Boer

8x68

The other day I looked through some of my old magnum magazines and notice an article about the 8x68.
Do any of you have experience with the calibre.
I am looking for a rifle between the 270 win and the 375 H&H.
Would it be wise to go with the 8x68 or must I rather go with one of the various 300s?
The next thing is the availability of reloading components.
Then what bullet weight would you recommend for general long range hunting in Namibia?

23 September 2003, 23:55

carcano91

The 8x68 is one of the most popular middle-bore magnum cartridges. Superior to 8mm RemMag on most accounts, and still not too boisterous to be used as a Middle European hunting round. Excellent performance recoards on antilopes, too. Not recommended as the best choice for the very heaviest and/or dangerous game, but neither are the other middle-bore magnums.

Carcano

24 September 2003, 04:22

Jedi

Many of the other choices you mentioned are "slick nice" cartridge-designs (.270win ...), - but I guess none of the belted middle-bore magnums feed as good as the 8x68S - and as you know that's a factor that's important, - in addition to what's been said in the comment abowe!
Go for the 8x68S it's the best choice!
(get a proper fitting stock and do not make your rifle too light, - it kicks like a slap from a redhaired ferocious woman).

24 September 2003, 05:24

<JOHAN>

Well

I would say that 180-220 grains are the best choice. For anthelopes the 196 grain RUAG. CDP, or a 200 grain partition would do fine.
Good luck [Smile]

/ JOHAN

24 September 2003, 12:59

dan belisle

"Superior to 8mm RemMag on most accounts". Well, except ballistically. - Dan

25 September 2003, 08:43

snowman

I'm with Dan on this one. I have a rifle in each calibre and while the 8x68 is an excellent cartridge it is at leasr 100 fps behind any load the 8mm Rem mag is capable of. Comparing these two cartridges is very similar to comparing the 338 Win and the 340 Wby. Anything the 338 can do the 340 can do better. The 8x68 is a very slick feeding round with no belt.

25 September 2003, 13:05

leo-too

The 196 and 200 grainers are to the 8mm bore as the 180 grainers are to the .30 bores.

25 September 2003, 13:20

mho

quote:
Originally posted by Karoo Boer:

The next thing is the availability of reloading components.
Then what bullet weight would you recommend for general long range hunting in Namibia?

Here in Europe, almost the only decent choice for 8x68 cases is RWS. They are expensive, tough as anything and probably last a long time (assuming you don't load too hot). Don't know where that leaves you in South Africa??

Don't know what .323 cal bullets you have available in SA? A 200 grs Nosler Partition is usually a solid choice in the 8x68. Not too heavy (after all, the 8x68 case is a bit smaller than the 8mm Rem Mag and tries to make up for this with higher pressures), yet not too light for tough plains game. In general .323 cal bullets are not as proliferate as .308 cal bullets are.

The 8x68 can be tough to shoot, I have seen quite a few shooters to whom it was a tad too much. If one can handle it, it is a great round - as is the 8mm Rem Mag, in spite of that pesky belt... [Big Grin]

- mike

26 September 2003, 05:00

carcano91

quote:
Originally posted by mho:
Don't know what .323 cal bullets you have available in SA?

Apart from the well-suitable, but lamentably discontinued MEN SFS, the new heavy Brenneke TOG would also bee expected to perform finely in the 8x68.

Carcano