8x68

[Dash431]

Hi guys.

I'm looking into buying an 8x68 S, and cant seem to find any decent articles or reviews on the cal.

Can anyone help with a link to an article, or some info on said cal?

Thanks!

431

[Tweety]

Many years ago a let an 8 X 68 slip through my fingers, A decision which i still regret.

I am quite sure that the Somchem reloading manual has reloading data for the 8 x 68.

the 8 x 68 is very similar ballistically to a 300 win mag, only it is firing an 8mm 200 to 250 grain bullet whaeras a 300 fires a 180 to 220 grain bullet. I would even be so bold as to say it stradles the gap between a 338 win mag and a 300 win mag which is a very desirable place to be in terms of caliber.

I believe an 8 x 68 can fire the 200 grain bullet at 2700 fps and the 250 grainer at 2500 fps. The heavier bullet will make it a big game slayer of note, very similar to the 333 Jeffrey or 318 Rigby, which , as we know, was a very effective elephant caliber. So you have very large bushveld capabilities as well as flat medium game such as Gemsbuck/Wildebeest over long range.

SO if your pockets are deep enough, you can harvest Eland and even Giraffe, and you can shoot smaller plains game regularly, you have a very versatile caliber indeed.

You will however, have to reload, and your initial order of brass will probably be a special import.

What make of rifle is it and what is the price, and the guys in the "know" will tell you if its a good deal or not.

[Dash431]

Thanks for all the gen Tweety! I havent found a rifle yet. Uncle Helmut from Brooklyn Circle Gunsmiths recommended the cal. to me when I chatted to him at Huntex, so I thought I'd do some research on the cal. I was initially looking at a .375, but am never going to hunt dangerous game, and dont like its banana trajectory an aweful lot. for some reason I just dont like the .300 Win Mag... dont ask me why, and am looking for a cal. that can handle blue wildebeest and gemsbok at longer ranges. in all honesty, I'm also considering the 7x64, and .280 Remington...

[krobar]

I copied this off another hunting forum, so not my words but a poster called BJV.

If you compare the 8x68s to all 300's and the 338 win mag you will find that it outperforms all 300's in the 180-220gr class. the 8x68s can also a fires a 250gr bullet for bushveld conditions at 2380 ft/sec with a 20mm grouping. the 338 WM can not shoot a 250gr bullet slower than 2500ft/sec with a good grouping. Sabi arms in SA makes custom guns. You can also try Rosenthals in Windhoek in Namibia. Should you require more detail regarding the 8x68s, search Google for "Germanys great eight (8)". The 8x68 is becoming more popular in SA and Namibia. I have heard from Ken Stewart of Stewarts high performance bullets, that hunters use the 8x68s in Zim and in Mozambique with 250gr Stewrt bullets on buffalo with great success. Good all rounder for African conditions if you use 200gr for long distance flat shooting and 250gr for bushveld conditions.

Well-known PH Karl Stumpfe swears by this calibre for plainsgame.

[Rudib]

375 H&H Banana trajectory.......you must be joking :-)
You can shoot a 200gr in your 8x68 and I will shoot a 200gr in my 375. See you on the range :-)

[375 Ruger Man]

375 H&H Banana trajectory.......you must be joking :-)
You can shoot a 200gr in your 8x68 and I will shoot a 200gr in my 375. See you on the range :-)

Can I join Rudi with my 375 Ruger 260gr accubonds. Bring a few 300 winnies too.
My rifle can get 260s running 2940 with a little room for more if I wish banana like 375 is not chipped in stone any more cause. I busted that rock.
Long live the 375s
Johan

[Dash431]

Yeah Yeah... Lets do the whole "apples with apples" thing, and I'll put a 165grainer in the 8x68.
Still gonna make your trajectories look like a rolled-up hose pipe... HAHAHA!!!

Dash

[300H&H]

Dash, i serously considered the 8x68 n few years ago as n custom built rifle i wanted. the 8x68 is a true allrounder. in the end i went for the 300H&H. last time i checked i saw a 8x68 rifle for sale at Gerrie Coetzee rifles in Bloem. check if it is still there 051-4441012.

[Rudib]

The 8x68S is a great calibre. You should definately get one.

[Dash431]

Thanks 300! I'll give him a shout.