PA Revolver Guy
Member
Hi there folks. I'd love to get thoughts and or opinions on this from those more knowledgeable than me. I understand the issue of why American 8mm is under loaded relative to foreign spec ammo (S&B, Norma etc). Its generally a .318 vs .323 bore thing and the dangers associated with loading the latter into the former. What I don't fully understand is the comparison to the 30-30 winchester and the concept that American 8mm is "weak" or "anemic". Perhaps weak relative to foreign factory ammo or handloading potential of the cartridge but not weak for general hunting of game in the 300lb or less range. Winchester goes as far to say their 170 grain power point 8mm is "recommended" for deer, elk and black bear right on the box. I wouldn't hunt elk with American 8mm ammo or large black bears for that matter. For that purpose, a handloaded 200 grain Nosler Partition at 2,500fps would seem more ethically appropriate but I digress.
I have a Rem 700C in 8x57 (2004 vintage) 24 inch barrel as well as a 1951milsurp Yugo M48. The Yugo has never been in the hunting fields. I also have a Remington 788 in 30-30 with a 22 inch barrel given to me by an old time hunter friend who had unfortunately past on some years back. I enjoy shooting both calibers and both have taken their fair share of whitetails over the last few years. All within 125 yards or so. I hunt the North Central woods of Pennsylvania. Tioga County to be more specific. I have seen how Remington 170 grain coreloks kill in each caliber. I will say that the 8mm hits a noticeable amount harder than the 30-30. The 8mm seems to put them down fast. Several have been DRT. That said, I dont think there are any flies on the 30-30 out to 100 yards or so. I don't know if 2 inches of barrel length could account for difference I see in the field. I have never lost a deer shot with either caliber but the 30-30 has definitely required more blood trail tracking even when shot placement was relatively similar to the 8mm.
When I check out the American ammo paper ballistics it would seem that the 8mm mauser has a modest power advantage over the 30-30 in 170 grain loadings. Around 160fps (276fpe) plus about a 10% frontal surface area advantage. Is this not enough difference to make a difference? What I see in the field shows otherwise.
Underpowered for the caliber, yes. Range constrained, yes. A 30-30 in disguise? I don't think so. All comments welcome!!
I have a Rem 700C in 8x57 (2004 vintage) 24 inch barrel as well as a 1951milsurp Yugo M48. The Yugo has never been in the hunting fields. I also have a Remington 788 in 30-30 with a 22 inch barrel given to me by an old time hunter friend who had unfortunately past on some years back. I enjoy shooting both calibers and both have taken their fair share of whitetails over the last few years. All within 125 yards or so. I hunt the North Central woods of Pennsylvania. Tioga County to be more specific. I have seen how Remington 170 grain coreloks kill in each caliber. I will say that the 8mm hits a noticeable amount harder than the 30-30. The 8mm seems to put them down fast. Several have been DRT. That said, I dont think there are any flies on the 30-30 out to 100 yards or so. I don't know if 2 inches of barrel length could account for difference I see in the field. I have never lost a deer shot with either caliber but the 30-30 has definitely required more blood trail tracking even when shot placement was relatively similar to the 8mm.
When I check out the American ammo paper ballistics it would seem that the 8mm mauser has a modest power advantage over the 30-30 in 170 grain loadings. Around 160fps (276fpe) plus about a 10% frontal surface area advantage. Is this not enough difference to make a difference? What I see in the field shows otherwise.
Underpowered for the caliber, yes. Range constrained, yes. A 30-30 in disguise? I don't think so. All comments welcome!!