7,92x57mm Cartridge | 7,92x57mm Markings | 7,92x57mm Identification
Two things should be remembered about the 7,92x57mm Mauser. For one, modern .323" bullets must not be used in Model 1889 rifles with .318" bores. Secondly, the 7,92x57mm Mauser will do about anything the .30-06 will do. You can even use .30-06 brass to form 7,92x57mm cases. (see Shooting Clinic)
The 7,92x57mm Mauser cartridge predates many rounds including the .30-06. The .30-06 was inspired by Germany's development of the 7,92x57mm Mauser in 1888.
The Infanteriepatrone 7,92mm (Infantry Cartridge 8mm) was used by the K98K rifle and other weapons. During World War II over ten billion of these rounds in various configurations were produced. The typical velocity of this round is 2500 fps with a projectile weight of 197.5 grains. Between 80% and 90% of all the 7,92x57mm ammunition produced was of the sS type(sS for Schweres Spitzgeschoss meaning heavy pointed bullet). The OAL cartridge length was 80.6 mm containing a power charge of 41.7 grains. The regular sS bullet had the following penetration performance:
| Dry Pine | Steel Plating | Iron Plating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Pointed Bullet | 85cm at 100m | 5mm at 100m | 10mm at 300m |
| 65cm at 400m | 3mm at 600m | 7mm at 550m | |
| 45cm at 800m | |||
| 10cm at 1800m | |||
The next most common type used was the SmK (Spitzgeschoss mit Kern meaning pointed bullet with core) bullet that weighed 177.5 grains and contained a hardened steel core.
Another was the SmK Leuchtspur (Leuchtspur meaning tracer) bullet that burned for 900 yards. Tracers were usually loaded every seventh round in automatic weapons.
The lS(leichtes Spitzgeschoss meaning light pointed bullet) had an aluminum core and weighed only 85 grains which resulted in a higher speed of 3035 fps but its total range was limited.
An interesting bullet type was the SmK(H). The H stood for Hartkern (meaning hardened core), this was the armor piercing version of the 8mm round. The bullet was only 28.2mm long weighing 193 grains, containing a tungsten core (2nd hardest substance in the world, the first being diamond) that was 22.5mm long. The powder charge was increased to 55.5 grains. This gave the bullet the penetration power of almost 20mm of plain steel at a range of 550 yards.
North American made commercial ammo in this caliber will usually be labeled either "8mm Mauser" or "8x57". Foreign produced ammo and military ammo in this caliber is called by several other names depending on the manufacturer or country of origin.
The most common names are:
| Designation | Source |
|---|---|
| 7,92x57mm | German military |
| 7,92x57JS | German military, European hunting ammo |
| 7,90x57 | Portugal, Spain, Middle East, South America |
| 8x57JS | European hunting/sporting ammo |
| 8mm Mauser | Common commercial designation |
| 8x57mm Mauser | Common commercial designation |
There is also 8x57J, which is a low pressure loading with slightly smaller bullet diameter (i.e. .318) that will work fine in 8x57JS rifles, but accuracy will be reduced because the smaller bullet doesn't fully engage the rifling in the JS diameter barrels (.323).
There is also 8x57R (or 8x57JR, or 8x57JSR), which is a rimmed cartridge for use in German single shots sporting rifles. However these should not be used in rifles designed for rimless cases.
| Remington (USA) 8mm Mauser "Soft Point" | Norma (Sweden) 8mm Mauser "Premium Soft Point" | DWM (German) 8mm Mauser "Brenneke Ideal" | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet | 170 grains | 196 grains | 198 grains |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2570 f.p.s. | 2526 f.p.s. | 2732 f.p.s. |
| 100 yard Velocity | 2300 f.p.s. | 2195 f.p.s. | 2415 f.p.s. |
| Muzzle Energy | 2490 ft.lbs. | 2778 ft.lbs | 3276 ft.lbs. |
| Drop @ 100 yards | 0.8 inches | 0.3 inches | 0.3 inches |