Why no commercial 7.92x57 JS popularity?

[No4Mk1*]

I'm curious why this round is not a popular chambering for commercial rifles in the US as manufacturers seem to be coming up with as many redundant cartridges as possible, why not make commercial rifles in the 8x57JS round? It of course is only academically different from .30-06, but that doesn't seem to stop us from buying .308, .270, .280, 7mm08, 7mm magnum, .300 magnum, & .338-06- all of which are very similar to the old .30-06 as far as I am concerned. It just seems logical that they would be trying to sell rifles in 8x57 so we would have an excuse to buy one more rifle.
My only guess is this is related to the issue of rifles with .318 bores which only seems to worry US ammo manufacturers.
Any thoughs?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

IMO, the 8x57 has never been popular in American sporting rifles is that it doesn't offer anything over the "standards." E.g., if you want a long action non-magnum, you get a .30-06 or .270. (I realize the 7x57 has a following in the US, but it's sort of a cult. Of which I'm a member.) If you want a short action, traditionally you got a .300 Savage, .308, or .243.

While the new stuff like the WSSMs don't really offer anything new that'll make a difference in a hunting rifle, they are "new", and us Americans like stuff that's "new."

 

[Moparmike]

I too have wondered about this. I also hate that so many of the hunting ammo out there is painfully anemic.

The only way to get a good round these days is to reload. I am finding more guns I want, therefore more reasons to reload. After I get my HD SG, I will be getting an AK. The poor man's AR.

 

[Jim K]

At least part of the reason is because American ammo makers have loaded down the 8mm because of the fairly large number of old Model 1888 rifles in this country. If ammo makers won't load decent ammo, there would be little point in a commercial maker producing the rifles. And I doubt that any maker would want his rifles dependent on surplus ammo, mostly corrosive, and of uncertain availability.

Actually, 8x57 military ammo is quite hot, certainly equal to the .30-'06 if not better.

Jim

 

[TODD3465]

Plus all those surplus rifles that have been made into sporters in various degrees of workmanship, from bubba jobs to ones redone by importers.