Anyone have experience with 8mm-338 Win Mag on Military Mauser

[archeratlrg]

I have one truck gun in 8mm Mauser and I have a hybrid 8x57 modern sniper rifle using M48A as the base and 8mm 8X63 Machine gun barel, custom stock, custom 30MOA scope base. I have plenty of VZ24 Mausers and at least 2 stepped NOS Yugo barrels in 8X57 and 1 more Swiss 8x63 machine gun barrel.

So I have the 8x57 covered. I agree it is a great cartridge. I consider the 8x57 easily the equal of 30-06 or 338-06 and maybe even the 338 Win mag inside of the 300 yards easily! It just depends on what bullet you use and what load you use!

This is just for giggles or just because. IF brass was not an issue I would build a 325WSM.

I have also considered 280AI or 7x57 mauser since I have an 7mm SS barrel just sitting around but it is an Ebay mystery barrel. To be honest I trust a NOS factory Mauser barrel from Sweden or Yugoslavia over random ebay 7mm barrel. The NOS Swedish barrels and NOS Yugo barrels are all really good barrels. Much better than ER Shaw or Green Mountain but not as good as a Lothar Walther, Brux or Hart etc.....

I have no idea if the feed ranps and magazine box would accept 325WSM. I have not run across anyone that has built a Winchester Short Magnum on a Mauser 98 action. It is not a pressure issue to me rather will it feed from the magazine reliably?

I also considered a 35 Whelan but I have so many barrels on hand that I hate the idea of not using what I have on hand first before buying more barrels. I have a SS 338 barrel blank but it is like 29 inches at least long and 1.35 in straight cylinder 1:9.5 twist. Finding a gunsmith that will contour that beast down to a hunting weight barrel or even a varmint weight is mission impossible.

Check with Dennis Olsen, gunsmith, in Plains, Montana. He does a great job profiling barrels.

 

[archeratlrg]

Back in my days of youth, {Ah, sweet bird of youth where hast thou flown?} 8mm Mauser’s were selling in the $30 - $45=brand new, range, the standard conversion was to run a chamber reamer in and convert it to a 30-06-8mm. The local gunsmith would do the conversion for about $25-$35 if I remember correctly.
Got around the problem of the only ammo available for the 8mm Mauser was surplus German WWII corrosive ball.
The reamer cleaned up the original chamber without any extra work and the barrel screwed right back in for a head space check.
A 30-06 case is an easy button to neck up and load with 8mm bullets, especially now that a greater range of projectiles are available.
Plenty of “Horse Power” without going into exotic chamberings and needing a magnum bolt… Perhaps even an “Ackley-used” 40* shoulder…??

When I was a kid, my dad and Ackley were friends. When he was visiting, I talked him into making me a reamer for the 8x57 Improved. He cussed me for days and finally gave un. He said he had never done that with the 8x57 case before, but I had an intermediate length action and the 06 case was too long. I still have it and it's a hot rod. If I stamp on it, I run just under 3000fps with a 180gr ballistic tip. I also have a 8mm-06 Ackley on a small ring KAR 98. Great cartridge.

 

[ISS]

I have a 98 in 8x68 Shuler out in the gun room, along with factory ammunition if anybody wants to buy it.

 

[Kurz]

Reamer for sale:

8x68S
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/reamers-for-sale-revised-description.386209/

 

[Fire Dog]

Reamer for sale:

8x68S
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/reamers-for-sale-revised-description.386209/

Here is a link that tells about this 1939 developed cartridge for the 98 Mauser platform.

8×68mm S - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org