[ironcreations]

What is 8x50 used for, best I could tell it was for a STEYR RIFLE, I saw some on GB for $50.00 for 20 rounds .. no bids, but holy cow. I dont have anything that shoots the stuff, but was looking to see what it is for, and if it would be worth selling. any thoughts???

 

[kkkriverrats]

M1895

A friend of mine has a Styer straight pull short rifle in 8X50R. We have shot it a few times, requires a Mannlicher style clip to function as a repeater. I think that Austria changed calibers to 8X56R between WWI&II. Ammo is really strange looking, projectile is,or looks, way to long for the case, and the ammo we had was roundnose with some sort of gilding metal jacket.

The Schwarzlose 07/12 MG was chambered for the 8X50 until the end of WWI.

 

[BeltFedPlus]

8x50 and other odd calibers......

Way back in the dim recesses of my mind there used to be a book named Nonte's Home Cartridge Conversions or something to that effect. George Nonte was the author and for the reloader it was a gold mine of information about how to form brass from another more common cartridge and as I recall it did have some reloading data. The last time I saw it on the shelf was sometime in the mid '60s? but haven't seen one in years. If you're going to shoot that 8x50 or any other obsolete military firearm (they're fun!)you might try to dig up a copy of that book.

Regards,
Tom

 

[kkkriverrats]

Book title

The book title is "Modern Handloading" by George C. Nonte Jr. Had a copy, disapeared in a move. It had a chapter on forming one case from another, along with a bunch of other tips, and obscure information.

 

[BeltFedPlus]

I guess the Nonte wrote several books on the subject but as I recall the book I saw was devoted to forming brass. The index listed all the then current and past cartridges and how to make them. Even though I don't do much handloading any more it would be a great reference book to have.

Regards,
Tom

 

[kkkriverrats]

Got me thinking

I guess the Nonte wrote several books on the subject but as I recall the book I saw was devoted to forming brass. The index listed all the then current and past cartridges and how to make them. Even though I don't do much handloading any more it would be a great reference book to have.

Regards,
Tom

I did some checking, your right, the book you are refering to is "The Home Guide to Cartridge Conversions" never had that one but Modern Handloading did have, as I remember, a section on cartridge conversions. Looks like Nonte whote 10-15 books on shooting and handloading.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I have the Cartridge Conversion book here somewhere, just can't find the dang thing.

 

[btwiest]

isn't the zb39 in 8x56r?

 

[heckinohio]

88

Picture of 8 x 50R Swartzlose..........I am always open to buy this ammo but at machine gun shooter price rather than collectors. During WW 2 or somewhere close, the Nazis lengthened the water jacket with a 5/6" piece and added a longer 8mm barrel. Also took some mods to the feeding device.

 

[7386]

Jeff, I have a copy of Nonte's book in case you are still looking for information. The 8x50mmR is listed on page 181. I can take a picture of the info and email you a .jpeg file if you want. The case he uses for the conversion is the 7.62 Russian.

Paul Taylor

 

[bmg17a1]

8X50R was the service round for the Austrians for many years, from before 1900 and WWI and after until they went to the 8X56R. The models, 05, 07, 07/12 and the aircraft variants of the Austrian Steyr Schwarzlose HMG fired the 8X50R round. It is a fairly low powered cartridge, on the order of 2000fps or thereabouts, but with a very heavy slug. I believe the Schwarzlose is the only MG ever manufactured and issued in that caliber.
The Schwarzlose is one of my favorite MGs and years ago I acquired a large supply of 8X50R from Sarco, all of which was in perfect condition even though of '35 and '36 vintage. Much of it has gone downrange by this point, but I've converted some of the Schwarzlose MGs that I have to 54R and 7.92, which helps to save the remaining supply of 8X50R.
8X50R doesn't show up much any more, so when it does the sellers ask pretty high prices.