Thinking about buying an 8mm Magnum
I've wanted an 8mm Remington Magnum rifle since Remington came out with them in the late 70's. Now I am seriously thinking about buying one. Trouble is, I'm having problems justifying the purchase. What can the 8mm Magnum do that my other rifles in 7mm Rem. Magnum, 300 Win. Magnum, and 338 Win. Magnum can't do as well. What do you think about the 8mm Magnum as made by Remington in the 700 BDL model?
Thanks for your replies.
Thanks for your replies.
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Life is short. Enjoy yourself as much as you can, as long as you can. If you want to buy a 8mm Rem? Do it!
Realistically there's nothing you can do with a 8mm Rem, that a 338 Win won't do if your a reloader.0 -
Need has nothing to do with WANT. Get one and ENJOY. 0 -
When it's a "dream purchase", there is no justification, it's either a "do it or don't" proposition. Especially for a niche' round that has a great supporter (Craig Boddington) who adores it. The BDL is a great gun, and the 8 will take almost anything on the planet.. anywhere at anytime...provided you have your rounds with you when you hit the hunting trail ('cause if you lost them in transit you're SOL)
The 8 died out because it really didn't do anything much more than established rounds did, plus the .323 bullet isn't an American favorite. Sure it hits harder than the 7 Rem or .300 Win ever will; bigger bullets at higher velocities. The .338 has it in bullet weights, selection, and a bit of bore size, but moves out at a slower speed. These rounds were established years before the 8MM Mag was commercialized, and they do their intended jobs very well, so they got the jump.
Much like your 8mm Rem dream, I want a Ruger #1 .300 H&H someday. There are better, more popular rounds out there, but it is a dream purchase so reality be damned [;)].0 -
Prior to the RUM cartridge series the 8mm was very popular for wildcatting. It had the capacity of the 300/340 Wby cases but had the standard shoulder facilitating easier forming. The main reason I recall that it lacked popularity was that there were very few bullets at the time suited to it (most were designed for 8x57 velocities), but there are enough partitioned/bonded bullets around now that it is a very workable cartridge. 0 -
Your other rifles will not beat you as much, but hey I shoot a 5.25 pound 45-350 Rem mag.. Nice to carry but kills on both ends. 0 -
TWalker,
When the 8mm Remington Magnum, arrived on the scene, part of the reason it has not been popular, was the Metric nomenclature"8mm", that it was labeled with. The American public, outside of the 7mm Remington Magnum, back then, was just not ready for metric names. Another good example, was the 6.5 Remington Magnum. Note the 284 Winchester, and the 280 Remington were fairly popular, and they were but a 7mm, labeled with the inch label. Some goes for the 243, and 6mm. A couple newer popular Metric rounds are the 260 Remington(6.5mm), and the 325 Winchester(8mm). They say the latter will do everything the 338 Winchester will do, but in a short action rifle, using less powder, and shoot a little flatter...go figure.
The other reason, is that with factory loadings, the 8mm rem. Mag., had a rather ho-hum performance level, and there were not the super powders, like today, to really make it run.
As far as owning an 8mm Magnum, if that is what your dream is, then go for it. You can't go wrong. Even in the "HO-HUM" factory loads, it is still a great performer.
Best
EDIT 1
quote:What can the 8mm Magnum do that my other rifles in 7mm Rem. Magnum, 300 Win. Magnum, and 338 Win. Magnum can't do as well.
To all the naysayer's...
You are absolutely correct, when it comes to factory fodder. However, when it comes to today's newer super propellants, and knowledgable hand loading, that 8mm Magnum can smoke any of the rest of them that were listed. Especially from a 26 or 28 inch barrel. Like in fast car's, with fast cartridges, within any given caliber, there is no replacement for cubic inches. That is just a function of the laws of physics. I am not saying the gain will be monumental at all points, but it will be noteworthy.
Best0 -
Thanks for all your replies. They were just what I needed to hear. I think I will go ahead and buy the 8mm Magnum. If I only bought the guns I needed, I'd probably only own 4 or 5. I've got a Nikon Monarch 4-12 (AO) sitting on my loading bench that I'll put on it. It should make a great long range big game rifle. Thanks again! 0 -
Nosler has some 8mm bullets on sale for good prices right now:
http://shootersproshop.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=73_84
Best.0 -
quote:Originally posted by TWalker
What can the 8mm Magnum do that my other rifles in 7mm Rem. Magnum, 300 Win. Magnum, and 338 Win. Magnum can't do as well.
Nothing, other than maybe scratch some long standing nostalgia itch you have. T
hat's a perfectly valid reason to get a gun, I think, especially if you have the time and inclination to actually use it!
quote: What do you think about the 8mm Magnum as made by Remington in the 700 BDL model?
If you want an 8mm magnum, that's as good a platform as any.
Go for it.0 -
That scope will work just fine for that caliber/rifle combo. Like we said; if it tickles your fancy, pull the trigger! [8D] 0
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