I've been messing with the 8x57 off and on for 40 years and my experiences mirror MM's. 'Tain't no flies on it. The only drawback is the bullet selection isn't as varied as with the .30's.
Everybody pooh-poohs the factory 8x57 loads as being anemic. True, they aren't as hot as what one can safely hand load, but I have found them to be entirely satisfactory for deer hunting, and a lot more pleasurable to shoot. Anymore, I load my own to those levels out of choice. White tail deer aren't armor plated. If .30/30's and .35 Remingtons kill with aplomb, why shouldn't an 8mm bullet moving a couple hundred fps faster do just as well or better?
