8mm ammo question

[jrfoxx]

I am soon to be getting a Turkish 1893 Mauser chambered in 8x57 and i'm a little confused as I browse sites for ammo.I see some ammo listed as 8x57 (or somtimes 8mm mauser), some as 8x56, and some just says 8mm.Is there any rule of thumb or standard on how to tell if the stuff listed simply as 8mm is 8x56 or 8x57, or do you just have to call for clarification? Seems a little dangerously vague to me.....

 

[Ian]

If it just says 8mm, it's almost certainly 8mm Mauser (aka 8x57, aka 7.92x57). The 8x56R is a completely different cartridge, and can be distinguished by its rim (the 8mm Mauser is rimless). When in doubt, though, call and inquire.

 

[Sunray]

Generally speaking, if, like Ian says, the ad says 8mm Mauser, it's 8 x 57/7.92 with its .323" diameter bullet. Just be sure it doesn't say 8 x 57J. That uses a .318" diameter bullet.

 

[dfaugh]

BEWARE!

I have both an 1893 and 1898 style (VZ-24) Mauser....I've tried a variety of surplus ammo in both. One of the most commonly available is the Turkish 157 grn loads, which are considered to be very hot. I tried 2 rounds in the 1893, and in both cases the bolt was VERY sticky. So I quit shooting that in the 1893, works fine in the 1898. I also had some old German (60s vintage) where the cases ruptured, and I got a facefull of gases (again, this was in the 1893), and the 1893 doesn't have the gas handling characteristics of the later models.

Now the 1893 works just great with Sellior and Belloit (and other) commercial ammo, as well as medium-hot handloads. The S&B is not all that expensive, and it's very accurate in my gun. I've pretty much given up on amilsurp ammo anyway, as I can't grt anythg resembling accuracy out of it.