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Guide

8mm Mauser (8x57) Ammo 2026: Loads From Federal and Hornady

By , EditorUpdated How we verifyEditorial standards

We checked 3 current 8mm Mauser (8x57) loads on Federal's and Hornady's own product pages on November 5, 2026: 1 from Federal and 2 from Hornady. The bullet weights, velocities, energy figures, test barrels and statuses below are copied from the maker pages. We don't use retailer prices or third-party ballistics. This is a comparison of popular loads from 2 makers, not every 8mm Mauser (8x57) load sold.

Federal and Remington loads show the usage label each maker prints on its own page, copied as written. Hornady is listed in its own table, because Hornady prints no usage label. The Cartridge column shows the name the maker page uses.

Federal loads

Figures are copied from each maker page. The usage label is the maker’s own wording.

LoadCartridgeItem #BulletMuzzle velocityMuzzle energyTest barrelBoxMaker usage labelMaker status (Nov. 5)
Federal Power-Shok Rifle8mm Mauser8A170 gr Jacketed Soft Point2,250 fps1,911 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Big GameAvailable

Hornady loads

Hornady's pages show no usage label and no stock status on our capture, so these loads are listed by product line, such as Vintage Match and Custom International. Velocity and energy are the muzzle figures from each page's ballistics table, and the test barrel is the one the table names.

LoadCartridgeItem #BulletMuzzle velocityMuzzle energyTest barrelBoxMaker status (Nov. 5)
Hornady Custom International8x57 JS82291195 gr SP Custom International™783 m/sec3,877 joules24 cm as printed (unit not verified)20Not listed on maker page
Hornady Vintage Match8x57 JS82298196 gr BTHP Vintage Match™2,500 fps2,720 ft-lb24 in20Not listed on maker page

Velocity and energy are the muzzle figures in each maker's ballistics table. Test barrel is the length the maker lists. "Box" is the round count per box. Status is the maker's own wording on its product page, and it changes daily. All pages checked November 5, 2026.

Which bullet weight? What the makers' numbers show

Loads in our tables run from 170 gr to 196 gr. The lightest is Federal Power-Shok Rifle 170 gr (8A), and the heaviest is Hornady Vintage Match 196 gr (82298). The fastest listed muzzle velocity is 2,500 fps, Hornady Vintage Match 196 gr (82298), tested on a 24 in barrel. The highest listed muzzle energy is 2,720 ft-lb, Hornady Vintage Match 196 gr (82298), tested on a 24 in barrel. 1 load lists velocity in m/sec and energy in joules, so it is not ranked against the fps figures. Because test barrels differ or are not listed, compare across makers with care.

The makers label loads for game or for target use. They don't tell you one weight is right for a species. The right choice depends on bullet construction, range and your state's rules. Check your state hunting rules and your state wildlife agency before you buy.

Barrel length matters: the test barrels

Muzzle velocity depends on barrel length, so compare loads tested on the same barrel. Of the 3 loads, 1 list no test barrel, 1 list 24 cm as printed (unit not verified), 1 list 24 in. The loads with no test barrel are from Federal. A rifle with a shorter barrel than the maker's test barrel will likely give lower velocities than the box. SAAMI's test barrel for the 8mm Mauser (8x57) is 24 in.

No barrel-length-velocity page exists yet for the 8mm Mauser (8x57), and we have not charted one. Our barrel length vs velocity data covers other cartridges, so do not read those numbers as 8mm Mauser (8x57) data.

8mm Mauser (8x57): what SAAMI lists

SAAMI lists the cartridge as "8MM MAUSER (8 X 57) [8MM (8 X 57)]" in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4, its centerfire rifle standard (approved Feb. 10, 2025). The cartridge drawing was issued 04/21/1980 and revised 03/02/2022. SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi, measured by transducer (the table shows 350 in psi/100). SAAMI also lists a crusher maximum average pressure of 37,000 CUP (the table shows 370 in CUP/100). Cartridge overall length runs from 2.815 in minimum to 3.250 in maximum. Case length is 2.240 in (−.020). The drawing shows 4 grooves and a twist of 1 in 8.00 in, right-hand (marked optional). Bullet, bore and groove diameters are Not yet verified, because the PDF text does not pair each figure with its label clearly. SAAMI reference velocities are Not yet verified, because the PDF text does not clearly pair each bullet weight with its velocity. Read the standard at the SAAMI Z299.4 PDF. The 8mm Mauser MAP row is also on our SAAMI maximum average pressure table (Z299.4, 35,000 psi / 350 psi/100). Check any 8mm Mauser load against your rifle’s markings and a gunsmith before shooting it in an older military rifle.

SAAMI says all standard rifle test barrels are 24 in long and that exterior ballistic data for centerfire rifle cartridges is based on that length. Its listed exceptions (7.62x39, 277 Sig Fury, 30 Carbine, 300 AAC Blackout, 300 HAM'R, 350 Legend, 350 Remington Magnum, 360 Buckhammer, 400 Legend and 44 Remington Magnum) do not include the 8mm Mauser (8x57), so SAAMI measures it on a 24 in barrel.

Not yet verified

These makers and loads are not in the tables.

Rifles for 8mm Mauser (8x57)

The 8mm Mauser (8x57) is a rifle cartridge, and the loads in the tables run from 170 gr to 196 gr. See also new rifle releases and the new hunting rifles of 2026.

Where to buy

We link only to maker pages, listed in the sources below. Federal and Remington show availability on their own product pages. Hornady's pages show none on our capture. We don't track retailer stock or prices. Before you order, check your state's ammunition rules, because some states require a background check or restrict shipping.

For more ammo, see .303 British ammo, .30-06 Springfield ammo, .308 Win ammo, 7.62x39 ammo, .30-30 Win ammo, .270 Win ammo, .35 Whelen ammo, 45-70 Government ammo, the SAAMI maximum average pressure table, the barrel length vs velocity data, new ammo for 2026 and all ammo releases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAAMI maximum pressure for 8mm Mauser (8x57)?
SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi for 8mm Mauser (8x57), measured by transducer, in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 (the table shows 350 in psi/100).
What grain is 8mm Mauser (8x57) ammo?
In our tables the bullets run from 170 gr to 196 gr. Check your firearm maker's manual for what your rifle is set up to shoot.
How fast is 8mm Mauser (8x57) ammo?
In our tables, listed muzzle velocities run from 2,250 fps to 2,500 fps, and muzzle energies from 1,911 ft-lb to 2,720 ft-lb, plus 1 load listed in m/sec and joules. Test barrels vary, and some maker pages list none. See the test barrel section of this guide.
What does test barrel mean?
It is the barrel length the maker used to measure the listed velocity. A shorter barrel will likely give lower velocities than the box.
Do you list prices or stock for 8mm Mauser (8x57) ammo?
No. We link only to maker pages. Where a maker page shows a status, such as "Available" or "Currently Unavailable," we copy it as of Nov. 5, 2026. Hornady's pages show none.

Sources

  1. Federal: Federal Power-Shok Rifle 8mm Mauser (8x57) 170 gr Jacketed Soft Point, item 8A (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  2. Hornady: Hornady Custom International 8mm Mauser (8x57) 195 gr SP Custom International™, item 82291 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  3. Hornady: Hornady Vintage Match 8mm Mauser (8x57) 196 gr BTHP Vintage Match™, item 82298 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  4. SAAMI: ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 centerfire rifle standard, 8mm Mauser (8x57) drawing (checked Nov. 5, 2026)

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