Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 8x57 JS or 9.3x62mm?

I have been looking at a Brno 22F in 8x57 JS with the intent of having JES reboring it to 9.3x62mm but I have started looking more closely at the 8mm and it ain’t a bad round. Anyone around here hunt with an 8x57mm? I don’t have any immediate plans for anything bigger than deer or pigs

It's a great round. Load it up with a 200 grain Partition and you're very well armed. More than you need for deer but great for even your biggest pig.

PM CowboyTim. I believe he's a 8x57 fan.

I've toyed with the idea of getting one just for use on pigs, but can't seem to migrate away from 7x57s.

As big a fan of the 9.3 as I am, I'd leave that rifle exactly as it is. The 8mm will suit your purposes just fine.

I don't think I would change that rifle except for a caveat. It is your gun and if you decide it needs to be a 9.3X62 then go for it. I think it will be a classy 9.3. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

I would keep it the way she sits! she's a beauty

I will probably change out the scope for a Leupold or Meopta 6x with a 4a reticle either way

Keep it the way it is and load up some 196gr Hornady Spire Point Interlocks and go hunting.

If the bore is still good, leave it alone.

If the bore is pitted or rusty, turn it into a 9.3x62.

I have a couple of Husqvarnas in 8x57 and like them them well enough, but the 9.3x62 with 286 grain bullets is a real drop 'em in their tracks thumper.

Respectfully, as was said, unless the barrel is roached, or was 8mm .318 and couldn’t stand the hassle, would run 8x57 and be happy. Understand the curiosity, but 180-200gr will level many beasts larger than pigs and deer, very 30-06 like. The little brno 22’s are arguably among the finest commercial mausers that were ever made. Have the same rifle in 7x57 - a dandy little thing, and dainty; can’t picture enjoying touching off a full house 9.3x62 off thru it. That's what a stout, heavier barreled Husqvarna is for.... And if back down the load to make it more manageable, then what’ve we accomplished.

If the bore and barrel look good, I’d try some 8x57 loads first to see how it shoots. If the answer is “good”, I’d probably lean towards leaving it as-is.

My feelings exactly.

I've hunted a bit with both and don't have a negative left in my teeth after using them. Properly loaded, the 8X57 is essentially a 30-06. The average 8 Mauser loves 200 gr bullets and makes for a good medium Thumper. American loaded ammo is anemic. European loaded ammo like Norma gets with the program. I've killed a fair amount of deer with the mild 8X57 JR, and it does fine to 250 yds. The "S" bore 8mm is a true 350 yd round.

I LOVE the 9.3X62, but it has some drawbacks. It drops like a rock beyond 250-275 yds, and it has a much stiffer recoil than the 8mm.

That's an awfully nice gun you have. I wish I had your dilemma.

Had an 8mm mauser carbine. Only shot factory ammo. Kind of like a hot rodded 30-30...err, or 32 Special maybe.

The 8x57 will take anything in North America. Leave it like it is.

Agree with wtf.

Good ideas. I will probably run it as is for now. I can always have it rebored later if Elephants are on the menu.

As with most others who know what they're talking about, if it's a shooter I couldn't alter that rifle. Should it be .318 groove diameter, Hawk bullets makes them and the few I've used have been excellent performers. The 8 X 57 will kill anything the '06 will kill.

30-30....32 Spl.? Now that's amusing.

I bought one a few years back in a Sako Grizzly. It is very accurate and the 180gn Ballistic tip is a great bullet and all I run in it. It is very tough and I have not stopped one yet in some big pigs. I haven't hunted with it for a few years now as, believe it or not, I don't really like the rifle that much. It has the best factory wood I've ever seen but is rather heavy. It makes it very stable to shoot off hand though. I was thinking of buying an Mauser M12 in 8x57 as I really like them. However, back to the cartridge, the 8mm Mauser will absolute flatten pigs and deer too I'd imagine. Handloading will lift its potential up where it should be as factory loads are even wimpier than some of the notable low pressure rounds.

Go for it I say.

Most American made Big Box ammo is indeed about 30-30/32 special speed with a 170 speer. S&B makes better (196 around 2600+) and their brass is good too. I shot a wad of Turkish 8x57 MG ammo from a battlefield P/U Nazi 98K one summer! Man it was smoking, ha. I gave that rifle to a young guy. It can be a wizbang hunting round with the right ammo! Good luck to you Pard.

8x57 when handloaded is a very useful round for the purposes you have described. Bullets (assuming you have the .323 bore) from the 160 grain Barnes TTSX, the 180 grain TSX, the 180 Ballistic Tip, the 200 grain Nosler Partition, the 200 grain Swift A-Frame will provide you with all that you could possibly need for slaying pigs and deer. Whilst keeping such a beautiful and classic rifle unaltered.

I look forward to seeing pictures of the rifle with dead beasts in the future