Never had a Model 8 or 81 but hunted in idaho back inthe '50's with Earl Harris, he shot a 81 .300 Savage caliber. He was deadly on deer & elk in the timber. Saw him once put 3 deer in a pile not much bigger than my living room with 3 shots. We skidded 'em down the mountain to the horses without much trouble in the snow. Earl was a big man, 6ft. 4 & 218 lbs. Strong as an ox. He put half of my elk on his horse without any help. I couldn't even pick up a hind leg. Yeah, the 81 Remington was a fine rifle.