Gun and Game Forums - View Single Post - Best ammo to shoot out of an 8mm Turk Mauser?

rfc357 · 03-13-2008, 06:57 AM

J or JS refers to bore diameter. J is .318, JS is .323. Any 8x57 ammo you are likely to encounter will be .323. Your rifle is almost certainly .323. There is probably no issue.

American commercial 8x57 ammunition is loaded light because there are still a few .318 bore rifles out there. European commercial ammo is hot stuff, if a couple of boxes of RWS I shot are representative.

Any 8x57 milsurp should be OK. The Turkish actions are not the strongest, and heat treatment was inconsistent. Best have the rifle checked by a knowlegeable 'smith before shooting. Then have the headspace re-checked after a couple of hundred rounds.

Remington hunting ammo should be fine, if expensive. Just don't expect much performance. It's a popgun load. The brass is great for reloading.

I hunt with a sporterized Kar 98K that still has the original military barrel. It is a WWII Steyr, groups 1.5" with handloads, and anchors elk.

turner is correct, the 8x57 does not get the respect it deserves in the US. It's ability to handle heavy bullets makes it superior to the .30-06 for some uses. (After all, the .30-06 is a copy of the 8x57!) But you have to handload to get the performance.

Good luck from a retired USAF O-5.

03-13-2008, 06:57 AM	#4
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	J or JS refers to bore diameter. J is .318, JS is .323. Any 8x57 ammo you are likely to encounter will be .323. Your rifle is almost certainly .323. There is probably no issue. American commercial 8x57 ammunition is loaded light because there are still a few .318 bore rifles out there. European commercial ammo is hot stuff, if a couple of boxes of RWS I shot are representative. Any 8x57 milsurp should be OK. The Turkish actions are not the strongest, and heat treatment was inconsistent. Best have the rifle checked by a knowlegeable 'smith before shooting. Then have the headspace re-checked after a couple of hundred rounds. Remington hunting ammo should be fine, if expensive. Just don't expect much performance. It's a popgun load. The brass is great for reloading. I hunt with a sporterized Kar 98K that still has the original military barrel. It is a WWII Steyr, groups 1.5" with handloads, and anchors elk. turner is correct, the 8x57 does not get the respect it deserves in the US. It's ability to handle heavy bullets makes it superior to the .30-06 for some uses. (After all, the .30-06 is a copy of the 8x57!) But you have to handload to get the performance. Good luck from a retired USAF O-5.