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8 mm Mauser

dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
I read in a book on Military Mausers of the World that the Czech 98/22 caliber was 7.92 X 57 rimless. Is this the same as 8 X 57 JS?

Comments

  • dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have the chance to buy an older check gun in 8 mm Mauser. It is a pretty rifle, in good shape, at a good price. Since I reload, the availability of ammo is not an issue. My question is, how does the 8mm Mauser compare to 30.06?
    Thanks,
    dchristian
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you load it to full potential, having the larger diameter bullet, it is about par with the 30-06.

    See Cartridges of the World by Frank Barnes.

    What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
    A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour
  • kingjoeykingjoey Member Posts: 8,636
    edited November -1
    American commercial loadings of the 8mm are very light, probably in the .243 area as far as KE. The European loads are equal to the 30.06 with some loads even being on the hotter side. I use MG ammo in my 8mm Hakims that puts a 196gr bullet out in the 2600-2650 fps neighborhood

    Love them Beavers
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  • 1KYDSTR1KYDSTR Member Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ????? You are a little vague on what you might mean by this comparison. I would not rechamber it as Mil. Surp. ammo is VERY plentiful and cheap if that is the tack you're on. The relative power differences between the two are minor and most people will merely support one over the other as a matter of personal preference. The bullets, if you are a reloader, are much easier to get forthe American 30 cal. than are those for the 8mm. Both of these rounds were chambered in extreemly strong military rifles and should be little different one to the other. There were MILLIONS and MILLIONS of 8m mausers made over time and most are cheaper to collect than thier American counterparts so there's another thing to ponder! The 30-06 shoots a little flatter but I DO mean a little! Most commercial loadings for the 8mm are a bit anemic but this was done in deference to the older ('93,'95,'96 vs the '98), somewhat weaker Mauser actions that also took a very similar 8mm round that wouold chamber BOTH military loadings; sometimes with disastrous effect! To sum up, I think the czech Mausers were really good guns and the differences between the 30-06 and 8mm Mauser are sorta' academic in a lot of ways!

    "When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
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  • mauser_centralmauser_central Member Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the above. The surplus 8mm and reloads should be able to do anything the 30/06 will. the 8mm is a great round.

    I've always followed my father's advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be damn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble.
    John Wayne
  • rediceredice Member Posts: 1,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    edit: stupid me I was reading to fast and thought he said .30-30
  • mauser_centralmauser_central Member Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    8mm specs / info

    Bullet dia. .323
    Bullet weight 170 grs
    Muzzle velocity 2360fps
    Muzzle energy 2102 ft-lbs

    info
    The first version of the German 8mm Mauser cartridge
    was introduced for use in the Model 1888 Commission
    rifle and was officially dubbed the 8x57mmJ. A 1903
    variant was called the 8x57mmJS and the two were
    NOT interchangeable, but appear to be. The
    development of the two types of the "same" ammunition
    has cause much confusion about the 8mm Mauser,
    particluarly in the U.S.

    The primary problem is that the two cartridges use
    different size bullets! The earlier cartridge uses bullets of
    .318-inch diameter, while the later employs .323-inch
    diameter bullets, a full five-thousanths of an inch larger!

    Use of the smaller bullets in a barrel made for the
    larger results in poor accuracy. Reversing the
    mismatch, that is, using larger bullets in the smaller bore
    can result in excessive chamber pressures and possible
    damage to firearm and/or shooter.

    American ammunition makers have dealt with this
    issue by intentionally UNDER-loaded their 8mm ammo.
    European makers cut no such corners, and provide
    both types of ammo in full-power flavors. It does not
    seem to be a problem for the Europeans. Before
    shooting an unfamiliar 8mm, it is a good idea to have the
    firearm checked by a gunsmith as to type.
    30-06 specs/info

    Bullet dia. .308
    Bullet weight 150 grs
    Muzzle velocity 2910 fps
    Muzzle energy 2820 ft-lbs

    The .30-06 Springfield ("thirty-ought six") is a standard
    bearer with both military and civilian histories. From it's
    roots as the 30-03, it emerged in 1906 to see the U.S.
    through 3 wars. Millions of Americans have depended
    on the .30-06 for their lives.

    Successfully used in rifles as varied as the Springfield,
    M-1 Garand, Browning Automatic Rifle, Johnson amd
    others, the .30-06 was effective in the widest variety of
    battlefield conditions. It is still often regarded as the best
    "all-purpose" hunting cartridge (with of course
    "all-purpose" being left up to the reader to judge).

    From 1906 to 1954 the 30-06 proved itself a
    tremendously effective small-arms military cartridge and
    versatile hunting round. It's excellent ballistics combined
    with the high-quality of 1903 Springfield surplus actions
    have provided sportsmen exceptional rifles that will
    continue to be useful in the field and only increase in
    value.

    info from haa's ammo guide

    I've always followed my father's advice: he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally. If I insult you, you can be damn sure I intend to. And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble.
    John Wayne
  • mag44pistolmag44pistol Member Posts: 229 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Me personally, I think its a matter of preferance, I like both calibers but have more favor for the 8MM, its just my personal preferance If you ask me why its like why do you like Ford over Chevy or Chevy over Ford. Both calibers have proven themseves and can stand alone without any added words by me,

    mag44pistol

    If you like my first shot? wait until you see my next!
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    Hear Hear...! I like'em both myself....

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
  • PinheadPinhead Member Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own and shoot both 8X57mm and 30/06. If you load your own or buy european ammo, they are almost identical in performance. I doubt if man or beast would know the difference if hit with one or the other. I have a load for the 8mm and a 150grain bullet that reaches 2800fps on the chrongraph and a couple of 150grain bullet loads for the 30/06 that go to 2900fps. 100fps difference in speed is not enough to worry about in foot pounds of energy or in trajectory.
  • dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gentlemen:
    Thank all of you for the information, it was very helpful to me.
    dchristian
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