faucettb - Since your a 8mm guy, can you provide info on getting a modern 8x57? I grew up with a friend who shot a 7x57 - great round. The data I've seen from WWII indicates that the Germans loaded 8x57s quite hot - hotter than the .30-06 was loaded in the same era. So:

1. Who, if anyone is producing new, strong 8x57s?

2. Where can you get older military actions, and what kind of loads can they handle?

Any info anyone has on this would be interesting.

Thx, BD

If you do a search on Guns America you will get a good idea of what is out there. If you are flexible and can move to other cartridges, not the 8X57, it opens more options. The new 325 WSM is a pretty attractive round and lots of modern guns are made for it. The Browning BLR is a nice rig for this cartridge.

Yeah, I've considered the .325. I just wondered if there were not some good mausers (either old or new) out there in 8x57MM.

just about any of the later mauser 98 based rifles are great. you can still find quite a few around at reasonable prices. there have been a few coomercial mausers I have seen lately as well. It is great cal. I have had and beena fan of the 8mm-06 for quite a while. The only caveat I have is to be wary of the J because of the.318 bore. That is the reason US comapanies ave never put out full potential ammo. they have compensated fro the elevated pressures of guys putting the ammo through undersized bores.

you can look at any of the surplus gu outfits online. Just be sure you are aware of what the difference is between J R S desgnations. I think the undersized are becoming less frequently found though. I think you will love the 8 mm it is a great midbore. I have a 8x57 action just sitting around waiting to be built up. I can't decide whether to leave it as 8x57 or rechamber for 8-06 imp.

faucettb - Since your a 8mm guy, can you provide info on getting a modern 8x57? I grew up with a friend who shot a 7x57 - great round. The data I've seen from WWII indicates that the Germans loaded 8x57s quite hot - hotter than the .30-06 was loaded in the same era. So:

1. Who, if anyone is producing new, strong 8x57s?

2. Where can you get older military actions, and what kind of loads can they handle?

Any info anyone has on this would be interesting.

Thx, BD

Probably the nicest I've seen in 8 by 57 is the one year Classic Remington made in 8 by 57. There are lots of mausers out there, but having one stocked, blued and fixed up into a modern sporter can delve into more bucks than most want to invest in a hunting rifle.

The new 325 win is a good alternative and if you want a push feed mauser type action the Rugers are some of the best of that type. I'm a Remington type of guy so I like them. I'm not sure what CZ is chambering, but their as close to a commerical Mauser action as your going to find and from the two CZ's I have quality is excellent.

As far as comparing the 8mm to other cartridges, well all the small case hunting rounds seem to kill well. The 06, 7mm in any guise and the 8 by 57 all are in the same power range.

The real advance in power comes when you combine the full size 375 H&H cases and the Ultra-mag cases with those bores. I really like the 8mm and the 338 bore size when you start pushing those heavier bullet over 3000 fps. Combine that velocity with bullets designed specifically for those velocities and power generated by those velociteis and you have true 500 yard plus big game rounds.

If I were buying a new long range cartridge today for elk and Alaska hunting. I'd probably have either an 8mm Ultra-mag built or buy a Remington 338 Ultra-mag.

For a medium range modern 8mm check out the Ruger, CZ or Remington classic. There all available and all nice rifles.

if you don't absolutely have to have a Mauser , you can get a Czech VZ 24 , which is a direct copy of a Mauser. These are very well made and are every bit as good as a good Mauser. what do you think faucettb ?

Bid dog II, Allans Armory has some nice 8x57 and 9.3x57 (Even some 9.3x62) Large ring 98 Mausers. These are Post war FN recievers, w/ Swede Build. They will handle the hottest loads.
Sarco also has a few 8x57 and 9.3x57 FN/Swedes.Good luck, JP

Many moons ago, it used to be popular to convert the surplus 8x57 Mausers to 8mm-06 as well.

Just something else to consider.

Up until 1991, Parker-Hale chambered their model 1200 Super in 8x57. You may find one on the used gun market.

The action is 100% commercial Mauser and made by Santa Barbara in Spain. Some folks don't care for the Santa Barbara action because it is not forged but cast, like Ruger bolt action rifles. I had one but gave it up on a trade and miss it. A 200 grain Nosler Partition loaded to 2500-2600 fps will dispatch anything on the planet but is best for moose/elk and smaller game. The 196 grain RN Alaska nickel-steel jacketed bullet loaded by Norma is one heck of a penetrator and I would not stay on the proch in Brown Bear country if all I had was a modern 8x57.

If you want a NIB modern rifle chambered in 8x57, go to www.cdnnsports.com and download their latest catalog. In it you will find the above mentioned Remington 700 Classic for under $500.00. That's a very good price and it is on my "want list" but not as high as one or two other rifles. If they have any left in 2-3 months, I'll have one.

Keep us posted.

Bird Dog II,
I think the Remington classic was 2004-2005. CZ Brno and Manlicher still make 8x57. The Czech WWII, model 24, surplus are also CZ Brno. CZ don’t make but an excellent gun (my other one is a Steyr). Lot of ways to put a custom together, for moderate $.

8x57 has been a pet of mine. Tricky thing now is finding bullets for it’s velocities, rather than the legion of magnum 8mm have come along. Back in the 1970’s and 80’s, the 150 grain was about as good as it could get for deer. Loaded way light; no bark, no kick; but great IMMEDIATE killing, on their seconds of heavenly clover before their bodies hit the ground.

Can load the 8x57 about 500 fps faster than my pet deer load; I just never saw a reason to. Last deer I shot with it dressed out around 300 pounds. Lost an 8mm hole in and out (edible meat); lungs looked like they’d been run through a blender. That buck was on seconds before his body began to fall.

If you want a NIB modern rifle chambered in 8x57, go to www.cdnnsports.com and download their latest catalog. In it you will find the above mentioned Remington 700 Classic for under $500.00. That's a very good price and it is on my "want list" but not as high as one or two other rifles. If they have any left in 2-3 months, I'll have one.

Keep us posted.

That does sound like a good price considering I saw a very clean used 700 on a rack yesterday for $650. I imagine they'd taken $75-$100 less than that for it. But under $500. Wow, that's a tough price to beat.