7.62x54R vs 8mm

[darkknight]

Whats the better round and why? it seems the 8mm is a very popular round and their is plenty of ammo out their or so it seems. I was looking on cheaperthandirt.com an dsaw i could get more 8mm cheaper plus it came with stripper clips is that common? what round is more accurate?

 

[Niner]

It's my experience that in surplus ammo the range in quality, bad to good, is a lot narrower in the 8mm. Since I assume that you have to also buy a rifle to shoot the ammo with, that's another question.

The simple answer would be to get a Nagant and a Mauser and some of both kinds of ammo and see what you think from experience. But if only one is going to happen, my advice would be to take the 8mm path.

8mm rounds often come with stripper clips. Rimless rounds, such as the 8mm, are easy to package on cheap clips.....thinking of all those bandoleers of Turk ammo that I still have some of stored away. The rimmed Nagant round requires a more refined clip and you are not likely to find it on clips.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have no experience with the 8mm.... yet, but with 7.62x54r there are a few variables.

First it depends on the rifle doing the shooting. my m39 prefers heavier gr. weights and really does not shoot the cheap czech silvertip stuff well at all. the hungarian heavyball on the other hand has produced 2.5" groups @ 100 yards with just the iron sights. i've heard that the czech stuff works very well in m38 and m44's.

Second, country of origin can come into play. some use different bullet designs (finnish 7.62x54), some use different materials (many steel cased, but some (yugo) have brass), etc.

My solution in progress is to get samples of each over time and try them all. When I am satisfied I've found the best I'll buy a bunch of it.

There are also available in both x54 and 8mm new commercial loadings from S&B, Wolf, Igman, PRVI and some others.

 

[GD]

I keep a range session book with all the details about how the rifle was shooting with particular ammunition. That way, when I go out with the rifle again, I will know what to expect in terms of accuracy with a particular cartridge. Which one is better? It varies by rifle and cartridge. I have extremely accurate rifles in both calibres and poor shooting ones also. I would have to say my two most accurate rifles are a 1942 VKT M91 in 7.62x54 and a M98/22 in 8mm. When I want to impress my in-laws when we target shoot, I bring those old guns out and beat the socks off their Remingtons and Winchesters. They can't believe that iron sights on an old rifle can beat a brand new scoped rifle!

 

[dispatch55126]

The best advise for you is shoot both rounds, find out which you like best and find a corrisponding rifle. I've never shot a Mauser or an 8mm and I may never. I bought a 91/30, love the rifle and have no problems with the 7.62x54. For me personally, I don't feel any differance between it and my (former) Mini 30 as far as recoil. My 91/30 took a deer this fall so accuracy is fine for me. If I had the money and came across a K98K I would jump on it in a heartbeat but my budget won't allow it anytime soon.

 

[vzenmn]

. They can't believe that iron sights on an old rifle can beat a brand new scoped rifle!

I do that to the hunters at my range; It is so funny to see the look on thier faces.

 

[dispatch55126]

. They can't believe that iron sights on an old rifle can beat a brand new scoped rifle!
I do that to the hunters at my range; It is so funny to see the look on thier faces.

This is off the subject, but this shows there is more to it than optics. You can buy the most accurate round out there and the highest quality optics, but if your trigger control is good and you don't control your breathing, it doesn't matter.

 

[vzenmn]

This is off the subject, but this shows there is more to it than optics. You can buy the most accurate round out there and the highest quality optics, but if your trigger control is good and you don't control your breathing, it doesn't matter.

Right on.

 

[wnycollector]

I shoot both regularly and I kind of prefer my nagants and the 7.62x54. I have a 1937 k98 that shoots ok with romaninan 8mm...but it is VERY VERY dirty to shoot! My 1932 Izzy hex 91/30 is a tack driver with heavy ball ammo.

I really think it come down to the individual rifle/ammo combo! I guess that is the fun of mil surp's...you can NEVER have to many different rifle's

 

[DWARREN123]

Where/how the ammo is made seems to be more important. When all is said and done I do like the 8mm Mauser best.

 

[Hutch]

Terminal ballistics for each round are close enough to equal. Pick the rifle you like the best. The Mausers LOOK better, IMHO, but that's a poor criterion for choosing. My Chinese M44 clone M/N has much easier sights to use than any 8mm I've shot.