In looking over available ammo in 8x57 I have noticed that some have bullet diameters of .318 and others .323. I assume that there is a reason for this, but one I have missed. Anyone enlighten me?


Thanks,

Yep - original groove diameter on the 8x57 mauser was 0.318". Most, but not all, rifles in that caliber are now for 0.323" bullets. If you have an old 8mm mauser, best check groove diameter before you order ammo. Almost all of the military mausers are 0.323", but there are exceptions, and sporting rifles could be either.....

Yep - original groove diameter on the 8x57 mauser was 0.318". Most, but not all, rifles in that caliber are now for 0.323" bullets. If you have an old 8mm mauser, best check groove diameter before you order ammo. Almost all of the military mausers are 0.323", but there are exceptions, and sporting rifles could be either.....

Let's say that one has a 2004 Remington 700 Classic in 8x57, would either bullet diameter work?

Modern US rifle is a pretty sure bet to be sized for the .323" bullet...the offical change in the German military took place in 1905 but as noted, European sporting rifles were still being produced with the older .318" (J-bore) dimentions long after that.

Some of that can be blamed on the Treaty of Versailles and the odd ways of getting around military arms production...part of it just has to be German hard-headedness.

It also explains why US ammo was/is loaded with .323" bullets, but to only 35,000PSI...if one finds it's way into an old rifle with a .318" bore, the pressure increase would be tolerable.

With a modern rifle, no reason not to avail yourself of modern ballistics.

Let's say that one has a 2004 Remington 700 Classic in 8x57, would either bullet diameter work?

.318" bullets would work in a modern gun with a .323" bore, but there's not reason to use them, accuracy would surely be non-existent.

No doubt there's a better selection of .323" bullets than .318", as well.