Dear Ron: More Info on 8x60 Mauser Please

Q: Good day Ron. I would like to get more information on the 8X60 cartridge and Rifle. I have an old Rifle that was handed down from my Grandmother, that was her Father or Husband. It is an old Mannlicher, Mauser. I do not know anything about this rifle. It's all in German and very nice engraving. I can send pictures if you like. But the Cartridge is something I would like to know the evolved and how to obtain this to have fun and shoot this. I still have a couple of Norma 8X60 boxes but I don't want to shoot them up. I am currently an FFL holder in good ole' Douglas Arizona. I do small-time gun-smithing and service our firearm needs to the public as well. Thank you for the information. If you need any of my info to make a video. please reach out to me.

Richard

A: Richard,

The 8x60 Mauser is a confusing round that evolved after WWI because German civilians were not allowed to own the 8x57mm military rifles. So they rechambered to this slightly longer cartridge. There were rimmed and rimless versions. Additional confusion comes from bullet diameters. Just as the old 8x57 J and S versions went from .318 to .323, so did the 8x60s. As the 8x60 became more popular, manufacturers began chambering new rifles for it. Sounds as if that might be what you have, a Mannlicher-Schoenauer? I believe that would have the more modern .323 diameter. As a gunsmith you will know how to check this. Power should be similar to a 30-06, but not trajectory. They loaded some “hot” rounds in stronger rifles. These approached 300 H&H Magnum power levels with those wider bullets. I don ’t know if Norma still loads these. Probably do. RWS would be another to check. I would enjoy seeing some pictures of the rifle!

(Richard subsequently send some photos and here are three. They depict a quintessentially German Mauser with “butterknife” bolt handle and high, detachable scope mounts.)