Thinking about a 8 x 57 in a 14.5" Encore.
Any thoughts on 8MM bullets at around 2500fps

I am looking for a rifle Cal that will fill the upper end of my Encore stuff.

Trying to keep the recoil in check without a break

338 Federal was my first thought but the old 8MM sparked my interest.

Thinking of a 180 Nolser BT or 150 Hornady Interlock SP

I know it does not have the fame of the 8MM GNR or the umth of the 8MM Rem mag

But this old timer is bound to have someone that likes it

Yes?

Any thoughts about a 8mm-08 AI or even a 8mm 06 AI? If you want to shoot 180’s why not a good old fashion 35 Wheelen AI?

Well if you recall I have a 356 Win that I shoot the 180 Speer Hot core and the 180 Hornady SSPB out of but the recoil on that dude is --- well lets just say it will flat thump you.

I was thinking that the 8 x57 would give me a 180gr bullet at about 308 win recoil.

Fact is for the long shots I will use the 308 or 257 but I was thinking that the 8 x 57 would be a great deer gun with almost as much thump as the 356 but a bit less recoil.

Alson I think the 8 x57 may be as good as the 8-06 in a 14.5" barrel.

Probably nothing to be gained over the .308 Win., but logic doesn't always (usually?) enter into such decisions. Either bullet should do fine at the likely velocities.

The 8x57, when properly loaded, is the almost ballistic equivalent of a 30-06. It is a very fine round that is little appreciated in this country. Most factory loads are very weak. If a 30-06 would work, the 8x57 will also.

However, the choice of bullets generally available in 8mm are not nearly as good as those in other calibers. If I wanted more than 30 caliber, I would look at 338.

Just my opinion.

Here is the problem
Most of the 338 Bullets are designed to expand @ 1800 + FPS

On the other hand there are several 8MM bullets that are designded to expand down to 1500 fps

I would get the 338 Federal in a minute and love the 308 case and the 338 bullet.

But I just do not think that I can generate the velocity needed to expand a 338 bullet in a 14" T/C out at 200+ yards

On the other hand much like my 356 Win I think I can get a 180 BT in the 8MM moving fast enopugh to do pretty good using a powder like Varget or 4895

H2OBUG,

Thre is a complete Contender with scope, dies in 8mm JDJ for bid on GunBroker.

Doc

Better Yet / 30 R Blaser:

You Ought To Try This Euro~Babe On For Size. The Beauty Of This Cartridge Is That It Was Specifically Designed For Break-Action Guns Like The Side-By-Side And Over-Under Hunting Rifles Such As Holland & Holland Makes. The Rimmed Case Feature Alone Makes It Ideal For Contenders.

http://www.municion.org/30/30Blaser.htm

Just Look At The Velocities On This Guy/Beast:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=554 (Scroll Down To The "Not Yet Verified Loads" Section)

The Folks At RWS Can Set You Up With Fresh Cases And Ammunition Too* * *

H20BUG,
THe Hornady .338 200 gr. spire point will expand very well at well over 200 yds. when started with a muzzle velocity of 2285 fps from a .338 JDJ No. 2 from a 14" Contender.

My guess that is about the same velocity the 338 Federal would do.

You have recovered some bullets?? and they expanded well??

I've only ever recovered one,shot diagonally through a deer and nicely expanded. I didn't keep it, so can't measure or photo it for you. The rest have all exited on whitetails and have shown massive internal disruption and large exits, demonstrating good expansion.
I prefer the .338JDJ No. 2 to the .338 Federal in a break open single shot due to the rim, but both would be ballistic twins.

In The BLASER You'd Have The Choice Advantage Of The 7.62mm/.308 In. Bullet Selection Which Can't Be Equalled By Any Other Caliber. If You Picked(For Example) The Sierra 168 Gr. "Matchking" HPBT Bullet(An Excellent Expander) And Stuffed-It-Over About 60 Grs. Of "Reloader 19" Or "N550" Powder You Oughta' Be Hittin' Around 2900 Fps. In A Rifle-Length Barrel. That Load Would Give DEAD-EYE Accuracy In Any Quality Firearm With About As Much Whump As The .30-06 And A Recoil Still In The Moderate Range* * *

When the Blaser handgun was introduced at the Annual SCI Convention a few years ago, I handled one and spoke with their Chairman, Michael Luke. The introductory price was $2750 about 5-6 years ago.I have no idea what they would cost now. I really disliked that straight pull bolt feature on a handgun.

But With An Encore You Have The Choice Of Customized Barrel Lengths In Addition To Just Their Standard 12" & 15" Models.Why Not Add Another 3-4(?) Inches O' Tube Just To Get That Extra Powder-Combustion And Velocity(Plus A Bit Less Recoil & Roar) Since We're Talkin' Full-Bore Rifle Cartridges Here?