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

8x57s reloaded with good bullets, don't give up much to the ought six. Other than S&B, most factory ammo is pretty anemic.

I've never used anything but IMR 4064 in my loads, regardless of bullet choice. A 150gr is about perfect for whitetails. Have even taken deer with the Hornady 125gr spire point, which I think they've dropped and now only offer that weight in a round nose?

My rifles are pre WWII production M98s, sportied up a bit. Odd as it sounds, one rifle shoots the 125s more accurately than any of the heavier bullets, including the 180gr Btips.

All ways wanted a good mauser sporter in 8x57 never found one that wasn't over priced or wore out barrel wise. I finally got a clearance deal on a 700 Classic in 8x57 I couldn't pass on. American factory ammo is way under loaded in the 170 gr weights as Dollar Short says. It is easily handloaded up safely to 30-06 levels one of these days I'll work up a load for that bunch of 185 gr 8mm Corelokts I have, right now it sure shoots whitetail nice with 150 gr SP Hornady's loaded to 2800 fps easily and great accuracy.MB

I have that same rifle, though mine is not drilled/tapped for a scope. My eyes have aged to the point where I can't see the sights well enough for precision shooting, but the rifle will put three rounds of Federal blue box into less than 2 inches at 100 (closer to an inch when I can align the sights with precision). I find it's handling characteristics to be very reminiscent of the Winchester 94 - light, short and handy. Svelte. I did a bit of loading for mine, and got excellent accuracy with the Barnes TSX 200gr. Man, I'd bet that thing would drill through the earth's core and still kill a game animal on the off side! I guess I had dreams of elk in the timber back in those days. I've only shot one deer with mine, a doe. She offered me the shot I wanted, standing broadside at about 50yds. At that range, my issues with the sights were irrelevant. Knocked her right off her feet - literally. They say that blue box stuff is loaded down to 30-30ish power levels, but she didn't know that.....

Good luck with your decision....

Kaiser Norton

Thanks. It was down to this one and a 21 that wasn’t drilled and tapped. Since this one has a Jaeger side mount already and the Lyman receiver sight already mounted I wouldn’t feel bad about messing up a pristine example. Since I sold my last .30-06 I might just need the European Version

Keep it as it is. I've been carrying a Model 98 for almost 50 years. I believe that Those Mauser People knew something's about guns and cartridges.

As has been mentioned, forget US factory 8x57. S&B and Privi (PPU) are much better choices for factory loaded ammo.

Glad you're amused. Factory Federal 170 grain at 2360 fps kinda sounds like a hot rodded 30-30 to me though. And that's what it shot like too.

I know it's capable of more.

I had a Brno 22 with a rough bore that I had JES rebore to 9.3x62, and bought a 2 position Model 70 style safety and had the stock reworked by a member on here but then sold it before I got to finish it. Should have kept it. It was a shooter and lightweight

.....or use .30-06 and buy factory ammo for < $20 per box.

The ZG47 and 22s are head and shoulder above ZKK, CZ550 and CZ557 and were made in wonderful caliber .30-06, ammo available world-wide. I like Husqvarna Mausers because they can still be bought for $500-$600.

It seems perfect the way it is. 8mm is a good cartridge for hog and deer. I assume you know it's like a 30-06. American companies make lighter charged rounds. I'm not a gun geek so I don't tinker and change anything. If that's something you like to do than go for it. Only you can decide.
I rarely ask others to help me make up my mind-not in my nature. Besides even though guns can be fine tuned, I figure that often you are not going to do much better than how a good firearm was originally made. Buy another for your collection. And yes 8mm is good(one of the oldest cartridges in existence) or it would not have survived for so long. Does well with heavier bullets also-particularly 196-200 grains. I own a German Mauser k98k and two 325wsm(.323) rifles. It works for me. I'm even considering getting another 8x57. One more thing. I assume you know the difference between the .318 and.323. Also 8mm Lebel was the first smokeless powder cartridge. It was a good caliber in the 19th century and is still a good caliber in the 21st Century.

Yes on the different 8mm bore sizes. I like to hear from other people to get the pros and cons of the caliber before traipsing off and making what could be a mistake. If my mind is made up I usually don’t ask for assistance about making a change to get just what I want that is not made by any gun company right now or is outrageously expensive (try finding a Mannlicher-Schoenauer in 9.3x62 under $5000)

It's your rifle and you should let it reflect your needs/wants. It has already been modified to reflect someone else's wants, so further mods properly done will not diminish its value. That being said, if the barrel is in good shape, the 8X57 will do the job.


Both of my 22Fs have slight mods that were done back when compatible scope rings were either sky high or unobtainium in the States. The 7X57 (top) also gained a recoil pad, shiny finish, and a jeweled bolt. The 8X57 (lower) is much closer to original condition. To me, they are both close to perfection as deer rifles and would be the last to go if I were to pare down collection. One other thing, the Brno 21s and 22s were almost entirely a post WWII production and I don't think any were produced with the .318 bore.