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GPJ12345
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Loc: South Africa
8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular?
      #262854 - 28/03/15 07:16 AM

Good day members
Your opinion regarding the 8x68S rifle for longer distance hunting plains game out to 400 meters will be much appreciated. I am in the process of putting one together for this type of hunting. I would like to know the pro and cons of this caliber. Your opinions will be much appreciated...


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8x68
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #262857 - 28/03/15 09:22 AM

Hello there from the "Newbie Canuck!"

I have an BRNO 602 in 8x68. I have a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10x40 on it. It's a fantastic calibre. Just this morning I was reading an article by Karl Stumpfe about it. The articles are actually from this forum from 2010. The article is a bit blurry unfortunately but here is the link: nitroexpress.info/ezine/Articles/KarlStumpfe/germanysgreateight.pdf

I like the 200gr Nosler partition, or Speer 175 or 200gr Spitzer depending on game being hunted. 8x68 is on par with the 8mm Rem Mag, or 338 Win Mag just more pleasurable to shoot.

200gr bullet is going to give you around 2900fps at the muzzle. ME would be about 3700ftlbs. If you hold 3" high at 100m your drop at 400m would be about 17". 400m velocity would be around 2100fps & ME around 1440ftlbs.

175gr Sierra is going to be around 3025fps at the muzzle. ME is 3550ftlbs. 400m stats MV 2114fps. ME 1740ftlbs. Drop about 15" if holding 3" high at 100m
If you're 2.5" high at 100m then it drops an additional 2.5" for both loads at 400m.
Data is from RCBS Load V3 program using 25.5" barrel.

I'm sure the Speer Hot-Cor, Swift A Frame, North Fork, or Lapua 180gr Naturalis would be decent choices as well. Barnes 200gr TSXbt would be interesting to play around with also.

I used to use the Hornady 150gr Sppt to hunt groundhogs with devastating effect.

If you need anymore info I'll see what I can do.

--------------------
John 3:16


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DarylS
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: 8x68]
      #262859 - 28/03/15 10:11 AM

Buddy of mine here has been using an 8x68S in one rifle or another since I met him in 1979. He is an incredible game shot, and moose kills at close to 400yards are nothing special.
His favourite moose bullet for many years, was the 196gr. yellow Plastic Tipped Norma. It worked beautifully on them at all ranges.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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GPJ12345
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: DarylS]
      #262874 - 28/03/15 05:11 PM

Thank you Julian, Daryl S
The replies are appreciated. I always wanted a 8x68S rifle, it seems to be difficult to purchase one since it is extremely expensive..I do have an opportunity to build my own 8x68S rifle now. I really like the appearance of the 8x68S round, it seems bulky and capable...


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #262875 - 28/03/15 06:26 PM

I've used Karl Stumpfe's rifle. The calibre works well. I shot some warthog, a couple of springbok and a hartebeest with it. Hits nice and hard.

My comments - pros and cons:
- similar to a .300 Magnum in performance but more exotic sounding. With history.
- Evokes the African bush, German sporting hunters in German East Africa and German South West Africa in the first half of the century. And also Afrikaan hunters from Southern Africa.
- while similar to the .300's, works better in its range of bullet weights with the heavier bullet range of 200 t0 220 grains. Has lighter bullets available too though, but often these are designed for slower velocities.
- I would like to source and try some heavier bullets such as 250 grs in it.
- disadvantage is loaded ammunition would be hard to find. South Africa might have some gunshops carrying it, same for Germany etc. A problem when travelling, if ammunition needs to be purchased if bags are lost etc.
- the original 8mm Magnum is the 8x68S.

I must have liked it as I added a barrel to my Mauser M03 for it. Planning to take it up to the NT later this year if things go as planned.

I bought mine as it was planned to be my "world hunting rifle" for medium game. Flat shooting and hard hitting. Powerful to take virtually any game with proper bullets and shots.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
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"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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Kiwi_bloke
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #262877 - 28/03/15 06:32 PM

JC Munnell wrote in The Accurate Rifle, (March 2002 edition), about his 8x68S Weatherby, (such things exist in Europe). He noted that the 8x68S cartridge is generally based on the .280 Ross case introduced in 1906. He concluded, "I know an African PH who thinks the 8x68S is the best African antelope cartridge extant, and frankly I find it impossible to dispute him".

I use an 8x68S for sambar, a large deer species, (for instance, it used to be known as 'Ceylon elk'), so in many ways this deer is like a kudu, eland, etc. This cartridge, which is in general terms a metric equivalent to .338 Winchester Magnum, has always seemed to me to be as ideal as Mr Munnell stated. Compared to a .375 H&H, the recoil is quite a bit less.


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Rule303
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Kiwi_bloke]
      #262882 - 28/03/15 09:50 PM

Great cartridge. You do need a full magnum lenght action to get the best out of it. Mine is built on a M17 with the mag box lenghtened. A mate has one built on a brno 602. You can seat the projectiles out and add a bit more powder.

I am still develping loads for mine. At the moment I am getting 2800fps with the 220 grain Woodlieghs, 3250fps with ACP 175grain pills. All have an overall lenght greater than 90mm.


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GPJ12345
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Rule303]
      #262889 - 29/03/15 02:02 AM

Thank you John, Kiwibloke and Rule 303 for the replies it is much appreciated. I think I will be able to work on the action to accept a longer seated bullet for more power....it really is going to be a nice project for myself. Since it will not be a walk and stalk rifle I will make use of a long heavy barrel, maybe a 28 inch barrel will be suffice .

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Rolf
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #262941 - 30/03/15 10:10 PM

Gentlemen,

on my first Safari to Namibia I took an Mauser 98 system based 8x68S with an unusual short barrel of 58cm (22.8").
With a 2,5-10x42 scope it weighed about 4.45 kg (9.8 lbs) and was comforting to carry and to shoot.
As the muzzle blast and fire was severe with full power factory loads, only medium to medium-slow powders were combined with below-maximum-loads.

Due to the advice of several gentlemen in this forum (again, thank you very much!) I used the 200grs Swift A-Frame and the 200grs Accubond on hartebeest, zebra, oryx and springbok. Sierra 200grs Matchking bullets were used for training and sighting-in.

If the animal was not standing broadside, the 200grs Accubond stayed within the animal.
I would not use it again on zebra, oryx and hartebeest, although it did not "fail".
The Swift A-Frame did always exit and I had not to think about the angle or position of the animal.

System mauser 98:
The standard cartridge length is about 87mm, but if it is possible to lengthen the magazine box for cartridges up to 91,0mm (and to make the throat correspondingly longer), I would recommend it.
My rifle had this modification, and it is really an advantage to seat the bullets further out!

Cases were produced by Hirtenberger and currently only (in good quality) from RWS.
If you need help for acquiring cases, I can offer support.

best regards
Rolf


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Rolf]
      #262942 - 30/03/15 11:39 PM

That is a good point. The 8x68S is a "magnum" length cartridge and a 25 to 26 inch barrel is worthwhile.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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GPJ12345
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: NitroX]
      #262956 - 31/03/15 05:21 AM

Thank you Rolf

I appreciate your input, since it is knowledge you acquired by using the 8x68S in the hunting scenario. I looked at the possibility to lengthen (opening up the back of the action/lengthen the magazine box as well ) I can do it safely...the stripper-clip opening can make way for the longer seated bullet, taking metal away to the back of the action will not compromise strength of the action.
The barrel will at least be 28 inches a type bull barrel (heavy)....the 8x68S rifling twist is 1:11 I am contemplating ordering a 28 inch heavy profile barrel with a 1:9.45 rifling twist (8X57JS)...It will be a special order and more expensive...my rationale for this idea is that a tight twist and large case capacity will stabilize a heavy long bullet even better than the 1:11 rifling twist...I would like to hear your /members opinion on this specific remark...

Do you think it makes sense or will there not be any noticeable effect?

Rolf, I certainly will make use of your offer to assist us to get 8x68S RWS brass, since it is not a common item in South Africa...can I contact you regarding this issue?

Gert

Edited by GPJ12345 (31/03/15 05:25 AM)


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DarylS
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #262960 - 31/03/15 05:48 AM

P-14's make good 'action' platforms for the 8x68S.

Case Length 2.658"

8x68S RWS brass is super.

If need be, 8x68S brass can be made from .375H&H quite easily.

Turn the .532" belt down to .522" to .524" on a lathe, to fit the 8x68S chamber. I used .522" and it worked perfectly for me in the chamber I cut in the .375" bl. for the 9.5x68 chambering I dreamed up, for a rimless .375 - in the mid. 1980's.

Lube and run the .375H&H case into an 8x68 seater die with the seating stem removed, then the Fl sizing with decapping stem removed. Trim to the length of 2.660".

Replace the decapping stem and re-FL size to open the neck for the 8mm bullet. The necks may or may not need to be reamed or turned. Trim to 2.650". Max case length is 2.658" according to Hornady's Loading Manual.

Note, the 2.85" .375H&H case might have to be shortened 1/10" before sizing it in the 8x68S seater die, but probably not. The seater die's dimensions will be kinder to the brass shoulder movement - normally, when using normal die sets. You may not have to use the seater die first - it is best to experiment first.

When the brass is fireformed, the case will expand ahead of the belt to fit the chamber perfectly. Once fore formed, this brass is then capable of handling any 8x568S loading.

This is how I made my 9.5x68 cases when I could not find RWS brass. It took longer to type this out than to make the brass.

I found the RP or Fed. .375H&H converted brass to be roughly 2gr. greater water capacity than 8x68S RWS brass simply necked up to .375" for my 9.5x68. My ballistics were identical between the 20 or so, RWS cases I had and the .376" brass I converted, using identical loads.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Kiwi_bloke
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: DarylS]
      #262963 - 31/03/15 06:32 AM

Nick Harvey had an 8x68S in a Mauser 66. He used this switch barrel in a standard action, but seated his heavier bullets slightly deeper to do so. He said the velocity loss was only small. If I were doing this, I'd simply experiment with powders until I found the one that (hopefully) minimised or even overcame this velocity loss. Also, just beware that RWS revised at least some of their bullets in this calibre to allow it to be loaded to a shorter length. I have details of that change if you're interested, but off the top of my head I think it was the then new KS range.

With the longer action and normally seated bullets, I have never had any trouble reaching published velocities. That makes it a very easy cartridge to load for using 8mm bullets that were designed for magnum velocities, such as RWS and Speer make.

One of the advantages of the Mauser 66 is that, although the barrel is full length for magnum velocity, the telescoping action and the barrel band sling attachment means the rifle does not sit higher on the shoulder than a standard barrel length Mauser 98. Recoil is also quite acceptable in this flat-shooting cartridge.

I think it might have been the A-Square reloading manual that said that, in in former German African colonies this calibre remains the yardstick, (or 'meter-stick'), by which other cartridges are compared. It's not too hard to see why if used for everything below thick-skinned dangerous game.


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Kiwi_bloke
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Kiwi_bloke]
      #262965 - 31/03/15 07:01 AM

I looked it up for you in a draft article I wrote that I've yet to submit for publication:

The pre-war style H-Mantel bullet for this calibre was reintroduced in 1957 but in 1966, the 33,5mm long H-Mantel, copper capped, spitzer bullet was reworked to become a 30 mm long semi-pointed design. This meant the new loaded round could now be chambered in standard (84mm) long actions. But what exactly is an H-Mantel? It was the inspiration for John Nosler’s very similar partition bullet. In 1960, a full metal jacket, round-nosed bullet was released especially for thick-skinned game. This has been used in the Central African Republic, (where calibers smaller than .375” and 9,3mm are legal on large dangerous game), to successfully take elephant.

After the war, Roy Weatherby made the hunting world sit up and take notice with rounds such as the .300 Weatherby developed in 1948. Cartridges in the .300 Weatherby and .338 Winchester magnum class were proving to have the advantage over older metric cartridge favourites in terms of flat shooting and energy for certain types of big game European hunting. Against this background, the excitement over the 8x68S really began in 1967 when it was “reinvigorated” by RWS with a sensational new bullet. A totally new design called the “KS” (Cone-Point) was then released for the equally new 5,6x57 RWS, a close metric equivalent of the .220 Swift. With the new bullet, this high-velocity 5,6mm (.22”) cartridge was far better suited for shooting the European roe deer and chamois than the standard Swift with varmint bullets had ever been. This was made possible by the double interlock-type bullet design which prevented core shedding even at very high velocity. The 8x68S was the very next round to be released with a one-interlock version of this sensational new KS bullet.

Until recently the 4 classic RWS loadings for the 8x68S were:

• A 187 grn H-Mantel at 3,180 fps produces 4,195 ft/pds energy at the muzzle.
• A 180 grn Cone-Point at 3,250 fps produces 4040 ft/pds.
• A heavier 224 grn Cone-Point at 2,850 fps provides 4,440
• A 196 gn Full Jacket at 3,050 fps provides 4045 ft/pds.

The FMJ bullet doesn’t make the 8x68S a classic “stopping rifle”, but noted Aussie gun-writer Nick Harvey had this to say:

“The 8x68S with solid bullets has never let me down even on the biggest (Australian water) buffalo bull. Typical of its performance capability was a shot taken by Heimo Petzl on a trophy bull standing nicely side on at 150 m. The RWS solid broke both shoulders and dumped the huge beast dead on the spot!”

In fact, I had the honour of talking to the Maestro in person about this cartridge’s performance on buffs. Follow-up shots, Harvey told me, were never needed.


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Kiwi_bloke]
      #263000 - 01/04/15 06:56 PM

Quote:

This was made possible by the double interlock-type bullet design which prevented core shedding even at very high velocity. The 8x68S was the very next round to be released with a one-interlock version of this sensational new KS bullet.





About the only thing I would disagree with is the description of th Kegel-Spitz (KS) Cone-point.

It is not a game bullet, fragile and does not hold together. Basically a varmint bullet.

Pity as RWS factory ammo with a 300 gr KS shoots extremely accurate in my .375, virtually a three shot, .38 MOA group at a 100 metres, and with considerable velocity too.

I don't understand the purpose of these heavier for calibre KS buillets, 300 gr in .375, 220 gr in 8mm etc. What are they intended for?

I kniw RWS claims the KS is a game bullet but it doesn't perform, and is too heavy as a varmint bullet.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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Rule303
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: Kiwi_bloke]
      #263006 - 01/04/15 09:38 PM

Woodliegh make the 196 grain and 220 grain soft nose for magnum velocities and they also do a 170 grain Hydro for the 8mm.

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DarylS
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: NitroX]
      #263013 - 02/04/15 01:53 AM

Quote:

Quote:

This was made possible by the double interlock-type bullet design which prevented core shedding even at very high velocity. The 8x68S was the very next round to be released with a one-interlock version of this sensational new KS bullet.





About the only thing I would disagree with is the description of th Kegel-Spitz (KS) Cone-point.

It is not a game bullet, fragile and does not hold together. Basically a varmint bullet.

Pity as RWS factory ammo with a 300 gr KS shoots extremely accurate in my .375, virtually a three shot, .38 MOA group at a 100 metres, and with considerable velocity too.

I don't understand the purpose of these heavier for calibre KS buillets, 300 gr in .375, 220 gr in 8mm etc. What are they intended for?

I know RWS claims the KS is a game bullet but it doesn't perform, and is too heavy as a varmint bullet.




Seems to me my buddy Keith mentioned that the Cone Point in the 8x68S was a 'soft' bullet that failed to penetrate well on moose. He had a bunch of them in factory. I suspect he pulled them all.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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rigbymauser
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: DarylS]
      #263014 - 02/04/15 03:16 AM


The 8x68s does easely +3000 f/sec with a 227grain. One of the best European cartridges for hunting ever made.


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: rigbymauser]
      #263016 - 02/04/15 03:27 AM

But what is the 227 gr KS meant for? RWS charts usually show a fallow deer, maybe red deer. Plus roe. It would handle roe fine, but why not use a 180 gr or lighter bullet for roe? JMO.

A behind the shoulder lung shot on deer would probably work fine too, if the shoulder is not in the way.

***

Nick Harvey when writing his article on the 8x68S in Mauser 66 used a 196 gr RWS FMJ on water buffalo for good results.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (02/04/15 03:29 AM)


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Rolf
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: NitroX]
      #263132 - 04/04/15 11:37 PM

Gentlemen,

some comments about the mentioned topics :

twist rate and bullet weight:
- Mauser 98, barrel length 58cm, twist 250mm or approx. 1:10"
The rifle shoots very good with 200grs bullets: the Swift A-Frame, the Sierra Matchking and the Nosler Accubond at measured velocities of ca. 820 - 840 m/s

- Mauser 2000, barrel length 65cm, twist 280mm or approx. 1:11"
The rifle shoots very good with the 220grs Sierra SPBT Gameking at a measured velocity of ca. 825 m/s.
The RWS factory load with the 224grs Kegelspitz (cone point bullet)was measured at 835 m/s and shot out of a firing device 5 shots touching at 100 meters (!)

- Remington 700, caliber 8mm Rem. Mag., barrel length 61cm, twist 254mm or 1:10"
shoots very good with 200grs Sierra Matchking and 180grs Barnes TSX (and nothing else)


181grs and 224grs RWS Kegelspitz cone point:
According the the RWS relaoding manual the 181grs bullet was intended for hunting medium sized (german) game like red stag and chamois at longer range. A possible explanation would be that the bullets slowed down after 250 meters and the penetration would be better but bullet mushrooming at this distance would be ensured with a soft bullet.
The 224grs Kegelspitz was intended for shorter distances and heavier game.

I do not use the RWS conepoint bullets in my rifles, I feel that the bonded core or partiton type bullets ae better suited for this cartridge.

best regards
Rolf

@Gert: PM sent


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GPJ12345
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: GPJ12345]
      #263138 - 05/04/15 02:26 AM

Quote:

Thank you Rolf

I appreciate your input, since it is knowledge you acquired by using the 8x68S in the hunting scenario. I looked at the possibility to lengthen (opening up the back of the action/lengthen the magazine box as well ) I can do it safely...the stripper-clip opening can make way for the longer seated bullet, taking metal away to the back of the action will not compromise strength of the action.
The barrel will at least be 28 inches a type bull barrel (heavy)....the 8x68S rifling twist is 1:11 I am contemplating ordering a 28 inch heavy profile barrel with a 1:9.45 rifling twist (8X57JS)...It will be a special order and more expensive...my rationale for this idea is that a tight twist and large case capacity will stabilize a heavy long bullet even better than the 1:11 rifling twist...I would like to hear your /members opinion on this specific remark...

Do you think it makes sense or will there not be any noticeable effect?

Rolf, I certainly will make use of your offer to assist us to get 8x68S RWS brass, since it is not a common item in South Africa...can I contact you regarding this issue?

Gert




Good day to you Rolf
Thank you kindly for the reply and pm send , I did respond ....Gentlemen , regarding my assumption of a 8x68 barrel with a 8x57JS twist( 1:9.45) ...please feel free to give me your opinion regarding this assumption...
My question: Will there be any improvement in stability/accuracy when using 200-250 gn bullets in this rifling twist in a 8x68 barrel ? I will not hold you to any opinion in this regards...I just want to have a look at your opinions and maybe give me a better insight regarding the order I need to make to receive a barrel from Walther( any other barrel company) Germany since we do not experience problems by importing from Germany unlike orders from the USA...we do not get much from the USA due to ITAR regulations and our South African/Marxist/communist /Arab connections our government have...

I really would like your input in this regards....

Regards

Gert


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93mouse
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: DarylS]
      #263166 - 05/04/15 05:53 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

This was made possible by the double interlock-type bullet design which prevented core shedding even at very high velocity. The 8x68S was the very next round to be released with a one-interlock version of this sensational new KS bullet.





About the only thing I would disagree with is the description of th Kegel-Spitz (KS) Cone-point.

It is not a game bullet, fragile and does not hold together. Basically a varmint bullet.

Pity as RWS factory ammo with a 300 gr KS shoots extremely accurate in my .375, virtually a three shot, .38 MOA group at a 100 metres, and with considerable velocity too.

I don't understand the purpose of these heavier for calibre KS buillets, 300 gr in .375, 220 gr in 8mm etc. What are they intended for?

I know RWS claims the KS is a game bullet but it doesn't perform, and is too heavy as a varmint bullet.




Seems to me my buddy Keith mentioned that the Cone Point in the 8x68S was a 'soft' bullet that failed to penetrate well on moose. He had a bunch of them in factory. I suspect he pulled them all.




One must take into account that the original KS bullet was nickel plated steel jacket one that took the early awe - it was much tougher than recent KS. See:



A friend of mine is shooting 8x68S for 50 years and is remembering those "silver" KS's - saying those were superb (he was a culler in former Yugoslavia Tito's hunting grounds - shooting 100 red deer a day on occasions).

And just my 2c - I used 8x68S for 4 years with heavy 13g ABC (predecessor of X type bullets made by Hinterberger) - until I bought 9,3x62. Basically you operate with the "same energy level" - 9,3 based on weight, 8 based on velocity. Taking in account that I hunt mainly in woods and my shots are usually well within 150m with an odd 200m shot 9,3 took over no looking back. If I'd be shooting 200m + with average around 250-300m on game under 500 kgs I'd pick 8 anytime, but would pick some lightest contemporary monomental bullets and push them over 3000 fps.


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RobertL
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Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: 93mouse]
      #263174 - 06/04/15 01:39 AM

Gerd,
I am happy to add my two cents to the discussion as well.
The cartridge 8x68 needs a long barrel – what a short barrel does to it’s performance can be seen from Rolfs experience.
I achieve 835 m/s (2740 fps) with the 200 grains Speer bullet seated to an OAL of 87,5mm (3,44”) out of my ZG47 BRNO in its factory cambering 8x64 and a heavy load of Vihtavuori N160 together with the 600mm long barrel.
Although this performance is not bad and adequate for most game the user of an 8x68 search for better performance.
Twist
When RWS developed the cartridge in 1937 they tested the regularly twist length of 240mm which is about 9,5” just to find out that the 33,5 mm long H-Mantel bullet weighing 187 grains was not stabilized at the velocity of 1000m/s the 8x68 is capable. Reducing the twist to 280mm (11”) gave the requested stabilization.
Therefore I do not think going back to 9,5” again will be a good idea.
The claimed velocity of 1000m/s (3280 fps) was reached out of a 700mm (27,5”) long test barrel. Internal test shows that a barrel length of 600mm (23,6”) reduce the velocity to 956m/s (3136 fps). It should be noted that this where tight test barrels. (see: Schiesstechnisches Handbuch fuer Jaeger und Schuetzen RWS 1940)
I also believe that the today overall length given by CIP with 87,0mm (3,42”) do not justify the cartridges performance. Original advertisements list the cartridge together with the magnum length Mauser action (see page 173 John Speed The Mauser Archive).
With boat tail long bullets like the 200 grains Nosler Accu Bond even an OAL of 94 mm (3,7”) could be used effectively.
When I decided that I need an 8x68 for my Namibian hunt in the Khomas Hochland, I was influenced by an article of Harald Wolf in his Hatari magazine. He made me aware what is much more important than action/magazine length and that is barrel length! My barrel is 750mm (29,5”) and this gives me about 945m/s or 3100 fps for the 200grains Speer bullet. My action is a modified DWM 1909 action with a new magazine box to accept a cartridge of 87,5mm OAL.
Yes, this is limiting me to some shorter bullets e.g. without plastic tips, but the velocity is limiting me to strong bullets anyhow.
Robert


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: RobertL]
      #263175 - 06/04/15 02:08 AM

In my opinion, the 11" twist would be a bit slow for the longer bullets contemplated. a 9 to 10" twist would be better of course, and still nicely handle the lighter bullets if so desired.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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GPJ12345
.300 member


Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
Re: 8x68S caliber hunting rifle popular? [Re: DarylS]
      #263178 - 06/04/15 04:29 AM

Hallo 93 Mouse, Robert and Daryl S, thank you kindly for the replies, it really gives insight to my question. I think it is safe to say the following aspects are crucial to keep in mind. I have looked at the magnum/fast calibers like the .300 calibers, including the .338 , most of them have a 1: 10 twist...I am the odd one out who really like hunting rifle with long heavy barrels, especially the 8x68S I think needs a 30" inch barrel ...since it is not a walk and stalk rifle but rather a "drive around with" rifle I will use to hunt at longer than two hundred meter distances.

I shot my son , Ruan`s .308 Israeli Mauser at 200 meters and got an excellent grouping ...but must say the bullet drop even with a 145 gn military round is excessive...when adjusting from 100 meters up to the 200 meter zero...this is why I need a 8x68 hunting rifle that will shoot "flat" out to at least 350 meters...I will fit a scope with at least 4-16 x50 magnification for the 8x68 hunting rifle...

While on this subject , what scope magnification will you put on a 8x68 rifle ?

I really want to hear from you members...please.

Regards

Gert


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