Guys, have been giving some thought to picking up a new double (SXS or O/U) in 8X57JRS. Anyone have one? How do you like it? Suggestions as to Chapuis, VC, Heym, Merkel? I guess I am really partial to the Chapuis. What weight bullet should I have it regulated with... 196 Norma? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I would ask the maker's direct as they will know the weights. Also I'd check what velocity the factory loads for those weights give. As in some jurisdictions (BRITAIN FOR EXAMPLE WHERE IT IS 2,450fps FOR DEER WITH ANY BULLET OF ANY WEIGHT) minimum velocity requirements may be mandated!

I shot a Heym Mod 26B O/U in 8x57JRS, with 198gr bullets.

It is just like my 30/30 only more powerful. The 8x57JRS is a great hunting cartridge.

I have an o/u 8x57r. Have only done load work with it (no hunting yet). Pushing the 198s @ 2400 f/21" bbls. 1-1.5" @100 reliably. Shoots quite well at 200 also.

Great calliber for most anything you'll likely encounter and sure to be a favorite in a small double.

Also, i use standard 8x57 dies... No need to pay a premium for the much more expensive 8x57r dies.

quote:

Also, i use standard 8x57 dies... No need to pay a premium for the much more expensive 8x57r dies.

Good to know!

One thing to be aware of is to insure the dies you are buying are set up for .323 bullets. There seems to be conflicting info on the 8mm where as some of the older guns shot a .318 bullet and now the newer ones use a .323.

Dave
The 8x57JRS would be great in a double low recoil and wonderful hunting round.The 196 or 198 are the normal in 8mm.The guys are right the regular 8x57JS dies are all you need just a bigger shell holder,I use the shell holder for a belted magnum to load 6.5x57R.As to the issue of .318 or .323 diameters the JS means it is .323. Bill

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Originally posted by Bill Brady:
Dave
The 8x57JRS would be great in a double low recoil and wonderful hunting round.The 196 or 198 are the normal in 8mm.The guys are right the regular 8x57JS dies are all you need just a bigger shell holder,I use the shell holder for a belted magnum to load 6.5x57R.As to the issue of .318 or .323 diameters the JS means it is .323. Bill

JS and JRS are both .323, JR is .318

You don have to worry about any rifle made in the last 50 years being .318 but if your not sure how old your rifle is slugg the barrel!

The 8mm would be fine in a Blaser Duo, that gives you some mid range capability.

The fixed barrel asseblies are ok for African rifles where you know that you shoot on short range on large target.

Up to 9,3mm the Blaser is great only because its accuracy. With all other DR you are limited to 100m and less.

Here's the Chapuis:

http://www.chapuis-armes.com/s...e-rifles/67-c15.html

What do you think?

I think the barrels go the wrong way.

The UGEX SXS is available in 8X57 also. $4400 IIRC

I have a Kodiak in 8x57JRS, little brother to the 9.3X74R I got from Mike Brooks. Shoots nice.

I've taken deer,caribou,black bear,and a bunch of hogs with my 8x57 Merkel double rifle.
They tend to be really light and sleek in this cal.

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Originally posted by Akshooter:
I've taken deer,caribou,black bear,and a bunch of hogs with my 8x57 Merkel double rifle.
They tend to be really light and sleek in this cal.

Shooting your sweet 8x57 O/U when I was in Alaska is what first got me to liking O/U's, and eventually led to me getting the Heym O/U.

Most other O/U's I had handled were big blocky and heavy.
Your vintage Merkel and the new Heym are light and sleek.

I have a little 8X57JR H. Berrela cape gun, made in Kassel(old spelling), Germany back in about 1905 with a 16 ga barrel on the left, and a 8X57JR (.318 dia) on the right! It is a sidelock exposed hammer cape gun, with a set trigger on the rifle barrel. That little jewal is a real hunting piece. I've had this thing for about 45 years, and it has accounted for a lot of muledeer,and whitetail, and two black bear, and two elk plus who knows how many coyotes and bobcats. while the shot barrel has filled my bag with hundreds of dove and quail.

The 8X57 rimmed cartridges are one of the best ballanced hunting cartridges for the North American woods, as well as open canyon country. You wont be sorry you bought a double rifle in that chambering.

I had a Merkel 141 in that calibre and it was a fantastic shooter. I mounted a Leupold 1.5-5 Vari X III on it in an MAK swing mount. After I finally fooled around and developed a load for it It would shoot composite groups into 1" all day long. Had absolutely no idea what I would use it for so I sold it. I have never had a more pleasant to shoot or accurate double rifle. I think I paid $4000 new for it and it WAS a bargain.I think these were special sale guns from the importer and were European models as they came with no test target or load data and were NOT the adjustable regulation model. For use on American game it would be a perfect rifle.

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Originally posted by zimbabwe:
I had a Merkel 141 in that calibre and it was a fantastic shooter. I mounted a Leupold 1.5-5 Vari X III on it in an MAK swing mount. After I finally fooled around and developed a load for it It would shoot composite groups into 1" all day long. Had absolutely no idea what I would use it for so I sold it. I have never had a more pleasant to shoot or accurate double rifle. I think I paid $4000 new for it and it WAS a bargain.I think these were special sale guns from the importer and were European models as they came with no test target or load data and were NOT the adjustable regulation model. For use on American game it would be a perfect rifle.

Zim, are you sure that was a Merkel 141? I seem to remember when you were posting about that rifle, and IMO that was before the 141 model came out, and was actually a 140 I believe. Maybe I'm thinking of a different rifle! Could just be "OLD-TIMERS" desease!

The 140 doesn't have adjustable regulation, and has 24 inch barrels! Most had selective ejectors, and auto safeties! Mine is the 140E ("E" being for ejectors)9.3X74R weighs in at 8.3 pounds and is built on the 20 ga size action. I bought mine from Cape Outfitters for $4600 with test target in a fitted case. It has become my favorite double rifle for North America, and for back-up to my Merkel 140-2 Safari 470NE double for Africa.

The 141 has just under 22 inch barrels, and is built on the 28 guage size action, is considerably lighter and fitted with adjustable regulation. I don't care for the adjustable regulation, or the light weight of the 141, but that is a personal thing. I like properly regulated doubles with fixed regulation, and a little more weight.

The 140 has been around since about 1980, and the 141 has only been around since about 2008!

.....................

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Originally posted by MacD37:The 140 doesn't have adjustable regulation, and has 24 inch barrels! Most had selective ejectors

Mac, never seen a Merkel with "selective" ejectors. More details please. Thanks in advance!

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Originally posted by DoubleDon:

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:The 140 doesn't have adjustable regulation, and has 24 inch barrels! Most had selective ejectors

Mac, never seen a Merkel with "selective" ejectors. More details please. Thanks in advance!

DD the 140E-1 has selective ejectors, and an auto safety. The largest chambering you can get in that model is 9.3X74R! None of the 140-2s Safaris have ejectors. The new Mono-block models I believe do offer ejectors in larger chamberings.




The Model 140 is a self cocking, Anson & Deeley boxlock with cocking indicators, side clips and receiver ledge. Greener crossbolt with double under barrel locking lugs. Double trigger with the option to have the front trigger as a set trigger. Also, a single, non-selective trigger is available on special order and at extra cost. Automatic tang-mounted sliding safety. Case ejection through split cartridge slide or Holland & Holland ejector for rimless cartridges with extractor claw. Ejectors available at extra cost. Barrel Length 600mm (23.6") and weight approximately 3.5kg (7.7lb). Classic English-style pistol-grip oil-finished walnut stock (Hogsback available on request). Receiver is colour case hardened and hand engraved in Arabesque pattern with higher grades of engraving available at extra cost.

Imported into Australia in 7x65R, .308Win, .30/06, .30 Blaser, 8x57IRS and 9.3x74R.

One trigger and an auto safety.... Oh my goodness!

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Originally posted by Dave Bush:
One trigger and an auto safety.... Oh my goodness!

Easy Dave! Mac was just passing along information. He didn't recommend it!

Thanks Mac. I was thinking that it would be along the lines of the Heym ejector switch which I had not seen on a Merkel.

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
I have an o/u 8x57r. Have only done load work with it (no hunting yet). Pushing the 198s @ 2400 f/21" bbls. 1-1.5" @100 reliably. Shoots quite well at 200 also.

Great calliber for most anything you'll likely encounter and sure to be a favorite in a small double.

Also, i use standard 8x57 dies... No need to pay a premium for the much more expensive 8x57r dies.

Here's my final load at 100. Shown with some scope adjustments, but overall, it's quite a shooter.



Largest group is 1.5" C-2-C.