Except for rhino that do make a 220gr bullet in 8mm is there any other manufacturer of bullets that makes a heavy 8mm bullet preferably in the 250gr region ?

woodleigh has an 220 grs bullet, and 250 grs bullet also.

The Serbian manufacturer Partizan makes an 250 grs FMJ Boattail that will make the 8x68 into a nice matchround/sniper round.

Its many god 8mm bullets, how one can be without an 8mm , i dont know. IO have only an 8x57IS myself but its an very good round.

mr rigby,

Thanx and what velocities can be expected with the 250gr woodleigh ?

Then sorry for posting here this post was meant to be under reloading. Sorry.

mistakes about posting happens to us all.

I havent got an manula about the 250 grs bullets, but an 220 grs can go yo ca 2700 -2800 feet so i think the 250 can go to ca 2500 fps.

a good versatile round the 8x68s. send an email to woodleigh and hear with them, they have sendt me som advice before on loading data.

Ken Stewart makes a 250gr 8mm bullet. My 8x68 is a bit finicky so don´t buy big amounts of a bullet before it´s been tested -at least I wouldn´t.

Personally I won´t be loading anything heavier than 220gr and my main bullet will be the 200gr. I have other guns for heavier bullets and I feel that the 8x68S comes into it´s own as a long range round.

I'm thinking seriously of putting together a 8x68S on a Mauser action. Those heavy Woodleighs look interesting, but so does the Swift 220 gr, and I suspect the Seirra 220 gr would genetate some real accuracy.

I have a question for you guys familiar with the 8x68S. What is the preferred twist rate to enable the use of the heavy bullets? I noticed the Loather Walther #722 barrel is 11" twist, which they say is CIP specs. Their other barrels made for the US market have 10" twist in either CM or SS. It's a bit strange to me, as their 8x57 Mauser pre-fit #720 barrel is 9.4" twist, again supposedly CIP.

In 8x68S is 11" twist fast enough for the 220 gr bullets? Enlighten me, please.

Thanks, KB

quote:

I'm thinking seriously of putting together a 8x68S on a Mauser action. Those heavy Woodleighs look interesting, but so does the Swift 220 gr, and I suspect the Seirra 220 gr would genetate some real accuracy.

I have a question for you guys familiar with the 8x68S. What is the preferred twist rate to enable the use of the heavy bullets? I noticed the Loather Walther #722 barrel is 11" twist, which they say is CIP specs. Their other barrels made for the US market have 10" twist in either CM or SS. It's a bit strange to me, as their 8x57 Mauser pre-fit #720 barrel is 9.4" twist, again supposedly CIP.

In 8x68S is 11" twist fast enough for the 220 gr bullets? Enlighten me, please.

Thanks, KB

KB,

I'm in the process of doing what you have in mind: 8x68S on a Commercial Mauser action with a Pac-Nor barrel. From what I can gather, an 11" twist is ideal (and the standard) for this caliber. Unfortunately Pac-Nor does not offer that rate as standard, so I had to settle for a 10" twist. Hopefully this won't adversely affect accuracy or performance as I plan on using 200 - 220 gr. bullets although I'm intriguied by those Woodleighs as well.

Thanks for the info. I have several pac-nor barrels, and have no complaints. They have been a source of good service, and I'm happy with the accuracy. I haven't made up my mind as to whether to order my 8x68 barrel from them or not.

Asside from good service, and price, the factors leaning heavily in their favor are that they will fit the barrel to the receiver, or make a pre-fit barrel that is easy to headspace by your gunsmith.

I found some of the formulas on the internet which compute twist rate. I tried the 250 gr Woodleigh specs and the result was that 11" is fast enough. As I remember the ideal twist per the formula was 12.something. I don't really trust the formula, but that's what it said. Anyway, at this time I'm satisfied that 11" is enough. I get some assurance from the info that I believe CIP standard, set by RWS, for this cartridge is 11".

I am fairly certain that we will not be able to see any adverse effects in accuracy between 10" and 11" twist. Compared side-by-side, most likely each barrel will have different preferences as to bullet weights, the faster the heavier. In other words, I think the 10" twist would most likely work better with the 250 gr bullet, but they both will work well with 195-220 gr.

However, my experience with the 30-06 with 10" twist is that accuracy is better with 180-200gr, and falls off with lighter bullets. Based on that, I have no plans on using 8mm bullets lighter than 195grs.

Anyway, it's fun to think about.

I'm curious. How do you plan on solving the magazine length issue? As you know, this cartridge is a little bit too long for the standard 30-06 length magazine.

Are you planning on getting a stainless barrel or chrome moly?

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Safari-Hunt:
Except for rhino that do make a 220gr bullet in 8mm is there any other manufacturer of bullets that makes a heavy 8mm bullet preferably in the 250gr region ?

I can certainly see the need for something in the weight class of 220-250 grains for use in Africa. But if I am not mistaken, the 8X68S was originally intended as a relatively high-velocity round with a medium weight (198-grain) bullet. Therefore, they were rifled with a 1/11-5/8" twist which could prove marginal with a long 250-grain bullet at +-2500 FPS. Of course, your twist may be faster. But if not, I'd try both the Nosler partiton 200-grain bullet and the new 8mm 200-grain Nosler Accubond. The construction of these might compensate somewhat for their lighter weight, and perhaps they'd stabilize better in a 1/11-5/8" twist.....

quote:

Thanks for the info. I have several pac-nor barrels, and have no complaints. They have been a source of good service, and I'm happy with the accuracy. I haven't made up my mind as to whether to order my 8x68 barrel from them or not.

Asside from good service, and price, the factors leaning heavily in their favor are that they will fit the barrel to the receiver, or make a pre-fit barrel that is easy to headspace by your gunsmith.

I found some of the formulas on the internet which compute twist rate. I tried the 250 gr Woodleigh specs and the result was that 11" is fast enough. As I remember the ideal twist per the formula was 12.something. I don't really trust the formula, but that's what it said. Anyway, at this time I'm satisfied that 11" is enough. I get some assurance from the info that I believe CIP standard, set by RWS, for this cartridge is 11".

I am fairly certain that we will not be able to see any adverse effects in accuracy between 10" and 11" twist. Compared side-by-side, most likely each barrel will have different preferences as to bullet weights, the faster the heavier. In other words, I think the 10" twist would most likely work better with the 250 gr bullet, but they both will work well with 195-220 gr.

However, my experience with the 30-06 with 10" twist is that accuracy is better with 180-200gr, and falls off with lighter bullets. Based on that, I have no plans on using 8mm bullets lighter than 195grs.

Anyway, it's fun to think about.

I'm curious. How do you plan on solving the magazine length issue? As you know, this cartridge is a little bit too long for the standard 30-06 length magazine.

Are you planning on getting a stainless barrel or chrome moly?

KB

KB,

I ordered a chrome-moly bbl. as I wanted to be able to blue it when the time comes.

I'm still mulling over how to exactly address the magazine box problem. Most likely I'll end up lengthening it a couple of mm's. I'm a current gunsmithing student so I'll have plenty of time and supervision when this becomes necessary.

I wish I'd been able to get a bbl. with an 11" twist from Pac-Nor but having them re-wire the tooling would have added cost and time so I went ahead with the 10". Like you, I don't think there will be a significant difference in performance (at least I'm hoping there won't be).

As far as bullets go, I've been looking at the 220-gr. Swift A-Frame and the 200-gr. GS Custom HP. Hopefully Barnes will get the 8mm MRX into production soon. Word is that they're going to be expanding that line quite a bit. I'd love to find a source for RWS ammunition.

DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW WHERE RWS AMMO IS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S?

Pinotguy:

I don't believe they carry loaded RWS centerfire ammo, but Natchez Shooters Supply, www.natchezss.com, does carry RWS brass including the 8x68. Perhaps they can obtain it for you or advise you where to look.

Good Luck.

RCG

I am fairly certain that we will not be able to see any adverse effects in accuracy between 10" and 11" twist. Compared side-by-side, most likely each barrel will have different preferences as to bullet weights, the faster the heavier. In other words, I think the 10" twist would most likely work better with the 250 gr bullet, but they both will work well with 195-220 gr.

However, my experience with the 30-06 with 10" twist is that accuracy is better with 180-200gr, and falls off with lighter bullets. Based on that, I have no plans on using 8mm bullets lighter than 195grs.

Anyway, it's fun to think about.

I'm curious. How do you plan on solving the magazine length issue? As you know, this cartridge is a little bit too long for the standard 30-06 length magazine.

Are you planning on getting a stainless barrel or chrome moly?



As far as bullets go, I've been looking at the 220-gr. Swift A-Frame and the 200-gr. GS Custom HP. Hopefully Barnes will get the 8mm MRX into production soon. Word is that they're going to be expanding that line quite a bit. I'd love to find a source for RWS ammunition.

DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW WHERE RWS AMMO IS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S?[/QUOTE]

http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/advanced_search_result....0d7bafe6769b&x=4&y=7

http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_rws.html
http://www.ruagammotecusa.com/rws_reloading.cfm

Gee, I can't find ANY outfit that currently carries any RWS ammo in the US right now except for .22 RF and airgun pellets. But primers and cartridge cases are available........

Old Western Scrouner is now part of Navy Arms right here in Martinsburg, WV, and no longer carries RWS rifle or pistol ammo...... Looks like Dangerous Dave has retired!

I have a Lothar Walther barrel on my 8x68 and it shoots very well -extremely well with 187gr RWS H-mantel (factory load) and just as well with 200gr Sako Hammerheads (handloads). It didn´t like the other 200 grainers I had and I´ve yet to try a 220gr bullet -have some Swift A-frames waiting though.

Has anyone run 200gr bullest through a chrony? I got 870m/s with the Sakos but I think one could get more.