Several years ago I bought an FN commercial action Husqvarna 648 in 8x57 since it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. It went to the back of the safe and sat there since. I want to do something with it to make it a purpose built elk rifle and would like something with a little more "umph" than the standard 8x57. 8x68S would be perfect, but I understand that will require bolt face and feed rail work and magazine length might be an issue.
Other options seem to be 8x60 (perhaps Magnum Super Bombe loadings), 8mm06/8mm06AI and 8x64. Ideally I'd like to shoot 200 - 220 gr bullets at 2800fps or a little higher. I reload (provided I can find components - everything seems hit or miss these days so I have no idea which will generally be available) so don't need commercial loadings available. I would prefer something that is a simple chamber ream conversion. Stock, bolt hand, side safety, scope mounts are already good to go so I'm not looking at a complete rebuild.
Am I missing anything here, or what other issues should I be considering? Thanks in advance from those of you who have done something similar or have experiences with some of these cartridges.

My vote....8-06AI...Simple conversion, cheap brass, 200,220,250 grainers
200GR @ 2800
Pretty much copies the 318 WR with 250 grainers



One of my favourites....

Roger

I, too, think 8mm-06 is the way to go if you intend to stay with 8mm. But that would be the perfect rifle to get rebored & rechambered in 9.3x62.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
I, too, think 8mm-06 is the way to go if you intend to stay with 8mm. But that would be the perfect rifle to get rebored & rechambered in 9.3x62.

I actually got the 648 the same time I purchased my Husqvarna 649 in 9.3x62. They also have a little brother in 6.5x55 Husqvarna based on the small ring action.

Standard 8x06; the others don't give you enough extra velocity to make them worth the effort and expense. Brass and dies I mean. I have several rifles like yours; bought for the actions.
Easy to do. I just did a 9.3x57 to 62.

8-06 wouldn't break my heart.
I'm sticking with the 8X57 and 170's at around 2700fps. for our Elk around here.
maybe they are bigger in other places?

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
8-06 wouldn't break my heart.
I'm sticking with the 8X57 and 170's at around 2700fps. for our Elk around here.
maybe they are bigger in other places?

Yeah, that's always been my take as well. I built a few 8x60's, then realized that there was very little performance increase over the 8x57. The 8x57 is a surprisingly efficient cartridge. Anything longer requies mag box mods at a minimum, something I feel not worth the effort. If I need more velocity than the 8x57, I drag out the 8x68.

I just went thru that process with my Brno mod 21..
I liked the original 8x57, great caliber, but punched it out to an 8x60 as I had an extra shot out original barrel,but not much if any improvment IMO. so I punched it out to an 8mm/06 and really liked this one, and used it to hunt deer and elk. Finally decided as long as I had a wildcat might as well have the best at very little extra work so Improved the shoulder of the 8mm-06 to the 8mm/06 Ackley IMP. and this turned out to be the best of the best if one doesn't mind the fireforming step...I put a pencil to it and each chamber change added about 5% to 7% and the last near 10%...I stopped here as I didn't want a belted case..To get any better Id rebore to a 9.3x62 on that small ring action, If I was using a larg ring action I do the 9.3x64 and stop there....

I had my BRNO Model 21 in 7X64 rebored and rechambered to 8X64 and am looking forward to trying it out on our native white tails. I already had a 7X64 made by Brenneke on a 98 Mauser action during the War. It shoots just fine.

Thanks all. I understand with what has been posted about the 8x57 and what it will do and will consider playing with it first to see what I can get out of it. Part of me though just wants something "different".

Also, if I could get a clarification from you Z1R, the rifle I am considering rechambering is a later model FN large ring commercial action, not the small ring. It shouldn't require mag box lengthening for a 06 length cartridge should it?

Thanks

I'll answer; an 8-06 will fit your mag box as is.
Before you decide on one of the more exotic 8mms, I would get prices on reloading dies first. Just me of course.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
I'll answer; an 8-06 will fit your mag box as is.
Before you decide on one of the more exotic 8mms, I would get prices on reloading dies first. Just me of course.

A buddy is the process of building a Mex Mauser in 257AI Roberts. A Redding 2 die set he found on FleaBay cost him over a 100 bucks. And Nosler 257 Roberts brass was a buck a piece.

Definitely good thoughts. 8mm06 dies seem to be available for around $75.

I had JES rebore a Brno Model 21 to 9.3x62mm so that is an option and pretty cheap and he did an outstanding job

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
8-06 wouldn't break my heart.
I'm sticking with the 8X57 and 170's at around 2700fps. for our Elk around here.
maybe they are bigger in other places?

Yeah, that's always been my take as well. I built a few 8x60's, then realized that there was very little performance increase over the 8x57. The 8x57 is a surprisingly efficient cartridge. Anything longer requies mag box mods at a minimum, something I feel not worth the effort. If I need more velocity than the 8x57, I drag out the 8x68.

I’m in the leave it 8x57 camp as well. While I’ve never taken any game with one, I’ve loaded and shot a few. It’s a really accurate round, and the gains wouldn’t be worth it to me. That being said, if you must rechamber, I vote 8mm-06. If you rebarreled, given your stated criteria, the 338-06 might be the perfect candidate. It will do what you ask. I would think a 210 grain 338 partition would be just the ticket. I would think an ‘06 mag box, and maybe a little feed work. I’m such a traditionalist that the 338-06 turns me off, but when I try to think rationally, I know it’s one of the most efficient Elk busters out there. The 35 Whelen as well.

What's wrong with a 0.323 inch diameter, 190 grain bullet at 2,600 fps mv?

Nothing!

A German company known by three magic letters loads such rounds: RWS.

Best metric ammo on earth.

Or handload your own.

I am also firmly in the keep it as-is department!

If I were going to do something like this I would go with the 8mm/06 as well. But another consideration is the PMM (8mm/338). It would also require some modifications, but box length isnt one of them and it will do anything the 8X68 will with no need to buy imported brass and dies. Altering to an 8mm/06 may require feed rail grinding for proper function as well. The 8/338 is same but includes the step of opening up the bolt face, which several smiths here could do for you. There are also some published sources for load data for it.

I really liked my 8mm/06 easy to load for and killed elk well about like a 338-06 best I could tell...but since it was a wildcat I punched it on out to the 8mm/06 Ackley and that was my favorite elk medicine for several years for no particular reason, but I ended up with two...the 160 GS Customs beat 3000 FPS in both guns and the 200 gr. Accubond was a great deer and elk load at 2800 to 2900 fps max load give or take depending on which gun. Both required polishing the rails and feed ramp, thats about it, very minor in my case..

I have had numerous 8mm's. one 8mm-06, two 8mm-06 AI's, an 8mm Gibbs, 8x68, 8 Rem Mag, and in a Charles Askins moment, an 8mm-378. Of the 06 based cases, I think the Gibbs had the edge, but the ease of forming 8mm-06 and the AI version made them my preferred choice. - dan

I have load and shoot a 8x52 R Siammese, several 8x57s, a 8x60, a 8mm06 ,a 8mm06 AI, a 8mm Mazon, a 8mm -338,an 8x68s and a 8mm Rem. If you need more than the 8x57 the 8mm-06 AI is hard to beat

I built a switch barrel 7x57 and 9.3x62 on a rough Brno mod 21, that had an extra shot out Brno barrel with sleeve and sigts..I had High country rebore and rechamber the shot out bore to the 9.3, built a stock copying the original m-21 stock but exhibition Russian Walnut..WAs a beautiful gun and perhaps my all time favorite, but like the good ones a gent in california talked me out of it with green backs...What amazed me was when the gun was finished with its 7x57 barrel, stuck the original barrel 8mm rebored to 9.3x62 in it and the barrel fit perfect and on top of that both barrels shot to the same POI...friends thats close to the second coming, a true miracle..

I have an 8mm/308 Norma Mag built on a CZ 550 action. It's called the 323 Hollis, but it goes back further under another name. I've had it several years and never developed a load for it yet. I have some notes regarding the use of IMR 4350. I had it built with the 220 gr Sierra in mind for longer range hog hunting.

Being a wildcat it's a little spooky re load development, but I think I know what to do and be safe. After all, I need only one load, so I'll choose the most likely to succeed by looking at loads for similar cartridges. IMR 4350 seems to be the right powder to work with.

I need to buy a chronograph.

BTW, I have two rifles in 8x57, and consider them excellent. The 8x57 has a lot of power as a hunting cartridge. IMO, overkill for most game outside Alaska or Africa.

I always figured the 8x57 sporter rifle would make a great starter youth rifle using the std Remington or Winchester factory loads that are underpowered - low recoil. Later, when the kid grows up, switch to the factory loads full power.

I've had it several years and never developed a load for it yet. I have some notes regarding the use of IMR 4350.

Being a wildcat it's a little spooky re load development, but I think I know what to do and be safe. After all, I need only one load, so I'll choose the most likely to succeed by looking at loads for similar cartridges. IMR 4350 seems to be the right powder to work with.

The 323 Hollis is almost identical capacity to the 8mm-338 and the 8x68. Loads in my rifles in those calibres are almost identical with similar results.[/QUOTE]