| 8x56mmR Steyr / Hungarian | ||
|---|---|---|
8x56mmR being loaded into a rifle via an en bloc clip. |
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| Type | Rifle | |
| Place of origin | Austria | |
| Service history | ||
| In service | 1930-1945 | |
| Used by | Austria, Hungary, Germany | |
| Wars | World War II | |
| Production history | ||
| Designed | 1930 | |
| Produced | 1930-1945 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Case type | Rimmed, necked | |
| Bullet diameter | 8.38mm (0.330 in) | |
| Neck diameter | 9.10 mm (0.358 in) | |
| Shoulder diameter | 12.15 mm (0.478 in) | |
| Base diameter | 12.55 mm (0.494 in) | |
| Rim diameter | 14.20 mm (0.559 in) | |
| Rim thickness | 1.50 mm (0.059 in) | |
| Case length | 55.75 mm (2.195 in) | |
| Overall length | 76.50 mm (3.012 in) | |
| Rifling twist | 255 mm (1 in 10 in) | |
| Primer type | Berdan or Boxer Large Rifle | |
| Maximum pressure | 355 MPa (51,500 psi) | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 206 gr (13.3 g) M30 | 701 m/s (2,300 ft/s) | 2,737 J (2,019 ft·lbf) |
| 200 gr (13 g) 200 Grain Jacketed | 621 m/s (2,040 ft/s) | 2,504 J (1,847 ft·lbf) |
| Source(s): Lee Precision [1] Surplus Rifle [2] |
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The 8x56mmR or 8 x 56 R M30S (C.I.P. civil designation) cartridge was adopted in the 1930s by both Austria and Hungary as a replacement for the 8×50mmR Mannlicher cartridge. It was originally created for the Steyr-Solothurn light machine gun as the M30. Later the cartridge was adopted for use in rifles in 1931 as the M31 to replace the 8x50mmR Mannlicher cartridge. The updated cartridge coincided with an update to the Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 rifle in which the barrel length and caliber were changed. This ammunition was made at a variety of plants as well as countries, including Austria, Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.
Newly manufactured rounds are being produced by Hornady in small amounts, but are hard to find. The new manufactured ammunition is similar to the original military specification. Because of this considerable bullet drop is experienced after about 200 yards due to the large projectile. With significant compensation however, the cartridge is effective at longer distances.
Prvi Partizan of Serbia produces Lead-Tip cartridges, the availability of which in Europe increases more and more with normalization of diplomatic relationships towards Serbia. However, when ordering via retail, they can take considerable time to deliver.
Reloading the 8mm X 56R Mannlicher is inconvenient, due to the .329" groove diameter of the barrel. .323" 8mm S-bullets will produce very poor accuracy. However, the reloading situation for this cartridge, at least in Europe, has improved significantly in the last few years.
Some manufacturers like Haendler & Naterman (Germany; 190 grains) or Degol (Belgium) still produce various bullets for sporting (ordinance rifle) or hunting purposes. Prvi Partizan produces a FMJ Boat tail bullet under the number B-384 and a Soft Point bullet nr. B-561, both 208 Grains.
Lee Precision, Inc. can make a bullet-sizing die in .330", allowing .338" bullets to be swaged down to this calliber. Bullets in the 200 to 225 grain weight class would work best. Lyman offers cast molds in this caliber. Corbins offers swaging dies for their bullet swaging-presses to make various bullets from raw materials.
Reloadable cartridge cases can be produced by resizing 7.62x54mmR Mosin-Nagant Russian brass. This results in a case neck 2mm short, but no problems arise from this, as the cartridge will still headspace correctly on its rim and shoulder. The remaining case neck is also still sufficient to hold the bullet firmly. RCBS produces a reforming die. The resized Russian rounds will easily fit into the proper Mannlicher charger clips, though of course normal Mosin-Nagant stripper clips will be useless with a Mannlicher rifle. Surplus dealers like Sarco frequently have charger clips for sale.
Reloading dies are made by Hornady and RCBS.