Just came across this forum so I'm new here. I've hunted 45 years mainly in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, primarily for elk. Been using 8mm's about 20 years as they put big elk down quickly. I used 8x57 for about 10 yrs. that worked very well, a Husqvarna that I found as an 06, then found an original Husqvarna 8x57 barrel and fitted and chambered it. Then I was given an FN 8x60 barrel so I fitted it to my favorite 1947 FN 30-06 and it has been more than equal to my 8x57's. I build my own rifles, so 4 yrs ago, interested in more reach as hunting in western Colorado ordinarily requires 300 yard shots on average, I built an 8-06 Ackley on a model 70. This is a superb elk gun with 175 Sierra's and 180's, although forming brass is tedious. Last year, I decided that I didn't want to form brass as much, so an 8x68 was in order. A 1950's FN98 and a 12" twist Douglas #4, with magazine box lengthened, have now combined to produce perhaps the best elk hunting rifle yet. Next up is moose for the 8x68 even though my last moose in Newfoundland was rather easily put down with the Mooser, a model 70 I built with a 24 inch model 70 factory barrel, extensively re-machined, as a 30-06 with 180 X. You see the trend - while 30-06 is very good, I have found 8mm with about 10 more grains of powder is more effective. For what it's worth, I use 180 moly coated ballistic silver tips or Nosler 200 partitions in front of IMR 4350, WW760, or H4831sc at 3100 fps+. Stunningly accurate - every combination is inside one inch at 200 yards. Fortunately, Norma brass is plentiful. While I may not make it to Namibia or SA, 8x68 in the US is a superior choice for Rocky Mtn. hunting, from open country pronghorn antelope to elk and moose. And,there's nothing more satisfying than machining and building my own rifles, loading the ammunition, and then the very hard work of finding and bringing home roasts and stew meat. Regards to all.
