Opinions on 8mm Mag

[Glenn Slaven]

Thinking about an 8mm Rem Mag. Trying to decide if it’s worth the money plus buying a scope and of course reloading supplies and components. I have several 9.3x62, a .375 HH .375 Ruger, 8x57, and .338 WM. Is it going to fill a hole in there? Trying to talk myself out of it and just put towards a reasonably priced Ruger RSM when one pops up. As I type this I’m starting to think it’s the Irish whiskey saying to do it... Opinions, from the peanut gallery needed.

 

[IvW]

8x68S....

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

8x68S....

+1

 

[HWL]

8x68S....

 

[BeeMaa]

I know it goes against the AH mentality of "you never have enough firearms" but...
It's the whiskey...you have your bases covered.

Spend the money on another animal on your next Safari.

 

[bruce moulds]

glenn,
does anyone make one?
I have often wondered about one for camels here in oz, using 220 gn swift or similar.
if you need that bit more point blank range, they have that, and the bit more whallop when they get there.
cases can be formed from 300 or 375.
similar case capacity to a 340 weatherby with a little less backlash.
bruce.

 

[dchamp]

I have a 8mm Rem. Mag. It is a wonderful thumper but there is not much out there for factory ammunition. Recoil is similar to a .300Wby. Hand loading is straight foreword. The load I am using is pushing a 200gr TSX bullet at around 3060f/s.

I also have a 8x68s and while I think it is a very good caliber, it is not a 8mm Rem Mag. Their difference is similar to what the .300WM is to the .300WBY IMO.

 

[dchamp]

He are a couple fo pictures of my 8mm Rem Mag.

 

[Bullthrower338]

When I was a kid my friends dad shot an 8 Mag, I came to the conclusion that the 8 was bad medicine on elk after watching a couple fall to it. I was in the 7 Rem Mag cult at the time and remember almost becoming a convert because of what I had seen. I own two now, one will travel home to Montana next trip to reside in the safe up there as a go to elk rifle. It likes the accubond well and that is a great all around bullet IMO for elk and mulies!
As to your question, there isn’t really a spot to fill that none of your others won’t handle. But if you want one, do it!

 

[Glenn Slaven]

I was a good boy and acted all adult. I think I shall spend it on an animal.

I had considered it for a host gun for something else, but would prefer a Winchester for that.

 

[Bullthrower338]

There you go acting all grown up and stuff!

 

[Glenn Slaven]

There you go acting all grown up and stuff!

Not as much fun in the short run, but when I don’t have to pinch pennies on my next trip, it will be nice. I figure if I was buying a rifle every other month, that was starting to add up.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Not as much fun in the short run, but when I don’t have to pinch pennies on my next trip, it will be nice. I figure if I was buying a rifle every other month, that was starting to add up.

I always justify it as it is better than a cocaine problem and cheaper than another divorce!

 

[Glenn Slaven]

I always justify it as it is better than a cocaine problem and cheaper than another divorce!

Very good perspective. I’m going to have to keep that one in my memory banks.

 

[sierraone]

When I was a kid my friends dad shot an 8 Mag, I came to the conclusion that the 8 was bad medicine on elk after watching a couple fall to it. I was in the 7 Rem Mag cult at the time and remember almost becoming a convert because of what I had seen. I own two now, one will travel home to Montana next trip to reside in the safe up there as a go to elk rifle. It likes the accubond well and that is a great all around bullet IMO for elk and mulies!
As to your question, there isn’t really a spot to fill that none of your others won’t handle. But if you want one, do it!

So back to Montana next week huh? Jealous as always since I have never made it there. Any fishing on the schedule?

 

[IvW]

I also have a 8x68s and while I think it is a very good caliber, it is not a 8mm Rem Mag. Their difference is similar to what the .300WM is to the .300WBY IMO.

How do you come to that conclusion?

The 8x68S shoots a heavier bullet at higher velocity with less chamber pressure and it comes with no belt.....

8x68S...the Germans knew what they where doing.

 

[Bullthrower338]

So back to Montana next week huh? Jealous as always since I have never made it there. Any fishing on the schedule?

It won’t be next week, July for my nephews wedding and I’m sure I might flip an elk hair caddis on the Ruby River while I’m there God willing! You are welcome anytime David!

 

[dchamp]

How do you come to that conclusion?

The 8x68S shoots a heavier bullet at higher velocity with less chamber pressure and it comes with no belt.....

8x68S...the Germans knew what they where doing.

My experience with the 8mm Rem. Mag. runs about 100-150+ fps faster than the 8x68s including 220-250 grain bullets. Yes the 8mm Rem. Mag. is about 2,000 psi higher than the 8x68s. Yes it has a belted case. So what. I am not berating the 8x68s, in fact I think it is an excellent cartridge. But the 8mm Rem. Mag. with its higher pressure and greater case capacity gives it a greater velocity edge. May not be much but it is there.

My load for the 8x68s with 220 gr Sierra Game King is about 2750 f/s and with the 250 gr Woodleigh about 2530f/s. Could I get more velocity, of course, a little, but thats where my best precision is and it wont reach the velocity of the 8mm Rem. Mag without excessive pressure or more case capacity.

My 8mm Rem. Mag. with 220gr. Sierra Game Kings runs about 2925f/s and as I stated earlier the 200gr TSX's about 3060f/s. I haven't personally used the 250gr Woodleigh in my 8mm Rem. Mag. but I do know of another man who successfully loaded it up to 2800f/s.

So anyway that is how I came to my conclusions. If you have loads that reach or exceed my 8mm Rem. Mag. loads please share them with me so I can further explore the 8x68s.

 

[Ray B]

I think the best thing that can happen to an 8mm Rem Mag is to have it's neck expanded to .375".

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I was considering an 8mm Rem. mag; was enamored with the gun/cartridge when it was first introduced back in the 1980's; fast forward about 40 years......thought about getting something "bigger" than my .30-06 and again started thinking 8mm magnum. Did some research.......not much available in factory ammo, and what you find you will pay dearly for! Not much available in rifles, and minimal reloading components (esp. premium bullets and brass).....and again, when you found them, they were costly. I found a used Ruger 77 in .338 Win. magnum and never regretted it. If it were me, I'd put the $$$ towards another hunt........but that's just my opinion.