The 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) is a centerfire rifle cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 35,000 psi. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) with the 30-06 Springfield on the same basis.
8mm Mauser ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI publishes one nominal mean instrumental velocity for each reference bullet weight, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed. Where SAAMI lists more than one velocity for a weight, both ends of the span are shown.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|
| 170 gr | 2,340 fps | 2,067 ft-lb |
Manufacturer-published loads
SAAMI’s figures above are the shared reference. The tables below are different data: what each manufacturer publishes for a specific load we stock, taken from that maker’s own page for the item number shown. Each maker chooses its own test barrel, so its figures can differ from SAAMI’s reference velocity for the same bullet weight and should not be laid directly beside another brand’s.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua Open Tip | 4318029 | 120 gr | Open Tip | 3,084 fps | 2,542 ft-lb | 0.248 G1 | 24″ |
| Federal Jacketed Soft Point | 8A | 170 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | 2,250 fps | 1,911 ft-lb | .354, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Nosler Expansion Tip | 40643 | 180 gr | Expansion Tip | 2,550 fps | 2,599 ft-lb | Not published | 24″ |
| Buffalo Bore Spitzer Soft Point | 8X57-195 | 195 gr | Spitzer Soft Point | 2,500 fps | 2,706 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady BTHP Match | 82298 | 196 gr | BTHP Match | 2,500 fps | 2,720 ft-lb | .525 G1 | 24″ |
| Norma SP | 20180452 | 196 gr | SP | 2,525 fps | 2,775 ft-lb | 0.305 G1 | 24″ |
| Buffalo Bore BARNES TSX | 8X57-200 TSX | 200 gr | BARNES TSX | 2,500 fps | 2,775 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 120 gr (24″) | 3,084 fps / 2,542 ft-lb | 2,695 fps / 1,941 ft-lb | 2,339 fps / 1,461 ft-lb | 2,010 fps / 1,079 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Federal 170 gr (barrel not published) | 2,250 fps / 1,911 ft-lb | 2,025 fps / 1,548 ft-lb | 1,814 fps / 1,242 ft-lb | 1,620 fps / 991 ft-lb | 1,444 fps / 786 ft-lb | 1,292 fps / 630 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 180 gr (24″) | 2,550 fps / 2,599 ft-lb | 2,346 fps / 2,199 ft-lb | 2,151 fps / 1,849 ft-lb | 1,966 fps / 1,544 ft-lb | 1,791 fps / 1,281 ft-lb | 1,627 fps / 1,058 ft-lb | 1,477 fps / 871 ft-lb | 1,342 fps / 720 ft-lb | 1,226 fps / 601 ft-lb |
| Hornady 196 gr (24″) | 2,500 fps / 2,720 ft-lb | 2,338 fps / 2,379 ft-lb | 2,182 fps / 2,072 ft-lb | 2,032 fps / 1,797 ft-lb | 1,888 fps / 1,552 ft-lb | 1,751 fps / 1,335 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Norma 196 gr (24″) | 2,525 fps / 2,775 ft-lb | 2,248 fps / 2,199 ft-lb | 1,988 fps / 1,721 ft-lb | 1,748 fps / 1,330 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (zero) | 0 yd | 50 yd | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 120 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | Not published | 0 in | −3.2 in | −13 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Federal 170 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | +0.2 in | 0 in | −6.9 in | −24.8 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 180 gr (100 yd zero) | −1.5 in | Not published | 0 in | −4.8 in | −17.2 in | −38.6 in | −70.9 in | −116.3 in | −177.7 in | −258.5 in |
| Hornady 196 gr (200 yd zero) | −1.5 in | Not published | +2.4 in | 0 in | −9.8 in | −27.9 in | −55.9 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists a single reference bullet weight for the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57): 170 grains, listed at 2,340 fps, which computes to 2,067 ft-lb. SAAMI publishes no other weight for it, so the table has one row. For any other bullet weight, use the figures the maker publishes for that item.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 8mm Mauser ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
The maximum average pressure is 35,000 psi. Fire 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
8mm Mauser vs 30-06: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) | 30-06 Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 35,000 psi | 60,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | Not read from the drawing | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | Not read from the drawing | 1 turn in 10.00 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | Not read from the drawing | .308 in |
| Lightest reference load | 170 gr — 2,340 fps / 2,067 ft-lb | 55 gr — 4,050 fps / 2,003 ft-lb |
| Heaviest reference load | 170 gr — 2,340 fps / 2,067 ft-lb | 220 gr — 2,400 fps / 2,813 ft-lb |
SAAMI standardises the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) at 35,000 psi and the 30-06 Springfield at 60,000 psi, so the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) runs 25,000 psi lower. SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like velocity row to compare.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 30-06 ammo.
8mm Mauser ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57)?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 sets the maximum average pressure for the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) at 35,000 psi.
What muzzle velocity do manufacturers publish for the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57)?
For the 7 loads we stock from Lapua, Federal, Nosler, Buffalo Bore, Hornady and Norma, the makers publish muzzle velocities from 2,250 to 3,084 fps, for bullet weights from 120 to 200 grains. Each maker measured its own load in its own test barrel, so these are not SAAMI reference figures and are not directly comparable between brands.
Is the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) more powerful than the 30-06 Springfield?
SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like row. Its highest computed reference energy is 2,067 ft-lb for the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) (170 grains) and 3,330 ft-lb for the 30-06 Springfield.
What is the effective range of the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57)?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 8mm Mauser (8 x 57) drop at 300 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 8mm Mauser ammunition from Buffalo Bore, Nosler, Prvi Partizan, Sellier And Bellot, Federal and Hornady. Browse the full 8mm Mauser ammo range.
