| vegard_dino |
| (.333 member) |
| 14/04/12 07:32 AM |
Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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Hello all,
A local dealer have a M1908 carabin in, the barrel is 49 cm, around 20"(?), caliber is 8*57 IS, but is that a re-done? Maybe it was a 8*56 MS to start with?
How are these short barreled Mannlicher to shoot, make a BIG blast and a lot of noise? Or not that bad??
They are some handy guns for short range hunting in thick cover.
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 15/04/12 03:48 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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if its a M 1908 the original caliber was 8x56 Mannlicher Schönauer. the rechambering for 8x57 IS was very little work because the two cartridge are close to being inerchangeable. you have the advantage of factory ammuntion now. muzzle blast and recoil may depend on the load you use.
| vegard_dino |
| (.333 member) |
| 15/04/12 04:29 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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Hi and thanks for the information.
Yes, the gun has change caliber in time. Maybe sadly, but as you say, today we still have the good old 8*57IS around.
A interesting rifle.
Was the carabin back then a rifle made special for hunting in tich cover, short range? Or, more a handy traveling all round gun?
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 15/04/12 03:28 PM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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the short mannlicher stutzen was made primarily for the moutain hunter in the alp's where the length is an advantage when climbing.
imho its allways possible to fire the original 8x56 MS in this rifle.
| vegard_dino |
| (.333 member) |
| 16/04/12 02:12 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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Hi and thanks for the information.
Oh, made for mountain hunting? Interesting.
Wonder why they did go for the 8*56 MS for mountain hunting. Or, was mountain hunting back then also including spices like bear, red deer, wild boar and so? Not just the Gems, the game that comes to my mind when talking about mountain hunting in Germany/Austria.
I guess the full stock also made the rifle less noisy, covering the barrel 100%.
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 16/04/12 03:28 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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dont take it to serious! its based all on the great success of the Mannlicher Schönauer M 1903 in 6,5x54, the dedicated rifle for the mountain hunter. the short barrel wasnt realy the right thing for bigger cartridges but the whole concept of the short full stocked rifle works.
dont forget that the red deer is very important in the alps. an animal the older 6,5x54 is just enough but dont have reserves.
| vegard_dino |
| (.333 member) |
| 16/04/12 06:10 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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Thanks. I understand.
Good information.
| Igorrock |
| (.400 member) |
| 16/04/12 07:45 PM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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Mannlicher Schönauer carbines were quite popular rifles in africa safaris too (mainly supposed to antilopes and other plains game) but I think 8x56 MS and the other bigger calibers were more usefull against eg. lion than 6,5x54. ;D
| Thaine |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/04/12 07:23 AM |
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Re: Mannlicher M1908 carabin in 8*57IS
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"imho its allways possible to fire the original 8x56 MS in this rifle"
WHOA THERE! I would beg to disagree with this statement. The location of the shoulder and the angle of the shoulder provide for an excessive headspace issue when firing 8x56MS in an 8x57JS or I chamber. The shoulder starts at 1.819" on the 57 case and at 1.80 on the MS. The MS also has a steeper taper 22 degrees vs. 19+ of the 57mm case. Given the chance of maximum chamber and minimum case deminsions, I believe you are asking for trouble. Maybe not disastrous, but surely problemmatic. Secondly, the 8x56 uses a .323 dia. bullet, while the I uses a .318 diameter. While that would relieve pressures, it would do nothing benifical for accuracy and limit bullet selection.
When I had my 1908 8x56MS half stock carbine, I used Remington 8x57 Mauser (JS) cases that I resized in RCBS 8x56 MS dies and trimmed to length. Worked great and lasted forever. I did not own an 8x57 of any type at the time so wasn't worried about mixing ammo. The MS is long gone and I recently picked up a nice O.G. Scherell pre 1913 sporter in 8x57I. First thing I did was go looking for the left over ammo for the MS so I could get rid of it and not run the risk of a oversize bullet and excess headspace combination.
I would sugest the OP slug his bore and he may find it suitable for .323 bullets and have a larger selection. That with proper 8x57 sized brass (for proper bulllet diameter) will give him a woods rifle that is a joy to carry, shoot and let others admire. Mine accounted for more than one large Maine Whitetail when I had it and if it wasn't for me being left handed and that butter knife bolt being a bear to operate, it would still be in my safe.
Just my .02 and HO. Far better to do it right (and no more trouble) than risk injury or gun damage.
Thaine