8X60 collectable ammo

[pitfighter]

Does anyone in the San Fernando valley have a round or two of 8X60 ammo?

I will buy it - I have a feeling this Mauser sporter I have may be in 8X60 - as this was the caliber many civilian sporters were being made in 1925 - the date on the receiver.
One of those non-military caliber rules imposed post WW1.
*I just learned about this, last week - so my apologies for posting here, but thought it was quite interesting info.

Apparently the 8x60 was very popular in Europe between the wars and was derived from the fact that the treaty of Versaille didn't allow the manufacture or use of 8x57. I will have to check the bore to see if it is .318 or .323
Then also, in the the 1950's and 1960's (non-military caliber, not the treaty of Versailles) for the same reasons in other parts of Europe.
Lots of converted K98's exist over there in the 8X60 caliber for this reason.

Looking to cerrosafe check it, too.
But, having a spare round to cycle would answer a lot of questions - do not need to fire it - I know it does that 8X57 worked, ok.

Feel free to PM me -

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Could it be chambered in 8x57JR or 8x57JRS? Or were those only used in break action multi-barreled sporting guns?

[pitfighter]

I do not know about those calibers - this rifle is not too fancy, being a converted and scoped action derived from a G98 - somewhere around 1925 -

What I learned this week was that the vast majority of civilian firearms that period were converted from 8X57 to become 8X60 - so trying that one first

[TRAP55]

Jesse, That never crossed my mind, and it should have, when you said you thought there might be a head space problem.
There are about 5 or 6 versions of the 8x60, the two most common being the rimless 8x60 (.318 bore) and the 8x60S (.323 bore). So you will need to do a chamber cast, and slug the bore. Do that and I'll track down a couple of rounds for you!
Question, have you fired a 8x57 through it?

Brass is easily made from running a 30/06 case through a sizing die, and trimming to length. Buffalo Arms stocks the 8x60S ammo too.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/8X60S_Rimless_Mauser_Ammunition_it-158151.aspx?CAT=4452

[pitfighter]

Trap55,

I picked up some old norma 8X60s ($10 for a box of 20 ) at the Santa Barbara show - it is definite no go on the Mauser Sporter.
I think it is 8X57 and just needs tuning and correct head-spacing - the bolt appears to be an unnumbered replacement, and could also be the source of the problem.
*I fired three rounds of 8X57 they were just very stiff (read required a plastic mallet) to chamber and eject.

It was worth a try - the Mauser needs to go get a professional tune up and service - still looking for a great Mauser smith - it's a beautiful little rifle and deserves a second shot.

In the meantime I learned a little about interim war German sporter calibers, which is never a bad thing -

An 8X60s next to a wartime 8X57

[TRAP55]

still looking for a great Mauser smith

Mike never answered you?

[pitfighter]

Yes he did - he was very gracious - but heavily over booked.

Thank you, for the lead regardless, Trapp - always appreciated, sir.

Pit.