8x57 JR Ammo icon

8x57 JR Ammo For Sale

Live Inventory
A rimmed version of the 8mm Mauser, the 8x57 JR is seen in drilling-type combination rifles. It remains a highly valued cartridge among hunters, as its performance is of the same high quality as its rimless counterpart. Learn More

History of 8x57 JR Ammo

The 8x57 JR, based on the 8x57 J cartridge, is the same as the original 8mm Mauser cartridge except for having a rimmed case. This cartridge is most often found as the third projectile in break-action drilling rifles, topped with two other barrels for 12 or 16 gauge shotshells. The 8mm Mauser JR variant has been produced since the early 1900s, and is becoming less and less common every day – especially for those who shoot outside of Europe. Very few manufacturers continue to produce firearms chambered for this cartridge, with Blaser and Anschuetz being two of them.

The JS and JRS are the more commonly found cartridges of the 8mm Mauser family, and their names have an interesting story. The letter J is actually a case of mistaken identity. The letter I had been stamped on the rifle barrels in a Gothic script, which denoted Infanterie, meaning "infantry" in German. The S stands for another German word, Spitzgeschoss, which means "pointed bullet" in English. The German military adopted the S version in 1905, and this bullet is not the same as the original 8mm Mauser cartridge. The S bullet has a larger diameter of 0.323 inches, while the bullet in the J and JR cartridges has a diameter of 0.318 inches.

Bullets for the 8x57 JR are most likely configured as full metal jackets or soft points and weigh 196 grains. The round does not have the best ballistics in its class, yet the numbers for the 8x57 JR are respectable for a medium bore cartridge of its age. The German military M/88 cartridge, which they adopted in 1888, fires a 225 grain bullet out of the muzzle at 2,100 feet per second, and generates a muzzle energy of 2,200 foot pounds. Modern ammunition in this cartridge generates a muzzle velocity beyond 2,300 feet per second, and a muzzle energy of 2,350 foot pounds. These numbers make the 8x57 JR more than adequate for deer-sized game.

The 8x57 JR is an uncommon cartridge, but it offers great performance at short to mid range on game of medium size. Those who go hunting with this cartridge will not be disappointed.

8x57 JR Ballistics: Chart of Average 8x57 JR Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

8x57 JR Bullet WEIGHT Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) TRAJECTORY (in.)
  Muzzle 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. Muzzle 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds.
165 Grain 2850 2520 2210 1930 1670 2965 2330 1795 1360 1015 2.5 1 -7.7 0
Molly Carter
Written by
Molly Carter

Customer Reviews

  • New River Valley Outdoorsman said:

    I have used this in a Burgsmuller drilling for years with complete satisfaction. Not only on whitetail deer in the USA, but on several species in Africa, and on an enormous feral hog. All one-shot kills. Paper ballistics are not indicative of the effectiveness of this round. The 196-grain bullet kills like a bolt of lightning.

  • bro.steve said:

    Have killed whitetails very efficiently with this cartridge. Longest shot was 250 yards and that out of a Christoph Funk drilling! Long, deep penetrating and accurate in every drilling/combo gun I have tried it in. Cheap for what it is, too! Have stopped shopping around for other versions since this is so affordable and easy to get.

  • jim said:

    An accurate, good load perfect for my Kreighoff Neptune drilling

  翻译: