NFrameFred
Member
A friend obtained an old German drilling that has a 16 gauge single shotgun barrel on top and a rifle barrel underneath in 8 X 57 R300* ( the designation stamped on the single old RWS cartridge that came in the butt trap underneath the stock).
In trying to research it on the net I must admit confusion at the listings of the metric variations of 8 X 57 Mauser, 8 X 57JS, 8 X 57JRS, etc., . . . .
It's obviously an 8mm projectile and a rimmed case with a 57 mm length but I've been unable to find anything definitive in the way of knowing what and if brass and dies can be procured. The old gun is in great shape and for it's day was likely a high dollar gun with engraving common to the type of the day. Someone (many years gone by) has milled the rib to accept scope mount bases for what I'm guessing were quick detachable mounts (which unfortunately seem to have been gone long before he got the gun). The bases are there but that is all; also obviously quality work. A very thin fold down "express" sight blade was original, as well, and provides a fine sight picture with the blade front which is inset with a brass (?) bead.
The gun is old enough and from my meager research it would seem obvious that it was (at least originally) designed as a black powder round, though the gun appears to be made from quality steel able to fire smokeless rounds.
Any help or information that the knowledgeable members here could supply concerning making of or procuring ammunition for the rifle barrel would be greatly appreciated.
*EDIT - See later posts - this was determined to be in error and should have been R360
In trying to research it on the net I must admit confusion at the listings of the metric variations of 8 X 57 Mauser, 8 X 57JS, 8 X 57JRS, etc., . . . .
It's obviously an 8mm projectile and a rimmed case with a 57 mm length but I've been unable to find anything definitive in the way of knowing what and if brass and dies can be procured. The old gun is in great shape and for it's day was likely a high dollar gun with engraving common to the type of the day. Someone (many years gone by) has milled the rib to accept scope mount bases for what I'm guessing were quick detachable mounts (which unfortunately seem to have been gone long before he got the gun). The bases are there but that is all; also obviously quality work. A very thin fold down "express" sight blade was original, as well, and provides a fine sight picture with the blade front which is inset with a brass (?) bead.
The gun is old enough and from my meager research it would seem obvious that it was (at least originally) designed as a black powder round, though the gun appears to be made from quality steel able to fire smokeless rounds.
Any help or information that the knowledgeable members here could supply concerning making of or procuring ammunition for the rifle barrel would be greatly appreciated.
*EDIT - See later posts - this was determined to be in error and should have been R360
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