Roe Deer you are absolutely correct. The low BC of bullets is not due to the fact they are 8mm and it puzzles me that U.S. bullet manufacturers don't give us more 8mm bullets with high BCs with the addition of the .325 to the ranks of the 8x57s, 8-06s, and 8mm Mags that are out there. Actually, I do believe Nosler has rectified that somewhat with their 200 grain Accubond. Does anyone other than Sierra offer an 8mm 220 with a high BC?

Expat

I apreciate the comments. Most guys when they go through their mid-life crisis they drive little red sports cars. Not me I dig up and compare cartridges I raced by in my youth.
A little more on the use of this particular gun. The barrel is about 19", over length of gun is under 40". It will be a gun that I carry alot. With factory load performance it will probably not make 2000 FPS with 180 gr bullets. Should be no problem for deer. It would be very light recoiling for plinking and keeping my practice eye in shape. But I really want to try the 250 grain Woodleigh 8mm bullets and see what they may be capable of. I do wonder what we may have missed in the rush to modernize and re-invent the wheel when it comes to cartridge design past and present.

If your intent is to carry factory loads don't overlook 196 gr. Privi partizan,Hansen (if you can find them) or Sellier & Bellot.
You might be pleasantly surprised at what they will do in short barreled 8x57s.

With the utterly long throat of the 8x57 IS, the trick with heavier bullets is to set it out just before the lands. That increases burning space (Co-case capacity).
That said, according to QL, out of your 19" barrel, 50 gr of Accurate 4350 accelerate a (set @ 3.3") 250 gr Woodleigh Weldcore @ circa 2200 fps @49000 psi.

BTW I found another reason for the 8x57 IS beeing so underloaded and not liked: SAAMI says 35000 psi only whereas CIP allows 56565 psi. URP loaded ammo is very capable and so are good handloads.

Just saw this thread and wanted to add this: I just got back from Namibia and rented a 8x68 . First time I ever used one. It took down a silver medal with one shot. I was impressed.

Where did you hit the medal?

Sorry, couldn;t help it.

JB

I was wondering how long that would take...

A G W...

Keith was full of BS all too often, and had too large of an unquestioning audience.

That's blasphemy! True, but still blasphemy.

Gents,
ten years ago 8x57 was considered an "old mans cartridge" here in Sweden but recently it is getting more popular.

I've used a double gun from Merkel (m/141) in the wonderful 8x57 IRS during the last 2 seasons and the 196 grains Norma Oryx leaving the muzzle at 2400 fps has proven effective of moose, boars and deer as long as the shooting distance is kept within reasonable double gun range i e not more than 150 m.

Best regards,
Henrik