Here was the first truly modern rifle cartridge. A rimless bottle-neck case using a small-bore, high velocity, Full Metal Jacketed bullet propelled by smokeless powder. Whether through foresight and planning or through shear luck these characteristics would make this cartridge adaptable not only to bolt action rifles, but also to the successful automatic arms designs which were to follow. The Germans were slow to adopt other technologies. An American, Hiram Maxim, had invented the first true machinegun in the late 1880s, however, it wasn't until 1899 that the Germans officially adopted the Maxim Gun combined with the new 7,9X57mm thereby changing the face of the battlefield, tactics, and warfare forever.

Attempting to use a similar approach with the design of the rifle as they had done with the cartridge by borrowing technologies, the bolt of the 11mm Mauser Gew 71 rifle was extensively modified by Louis Schlegelmilch, a Spandau Arsenal technician, and incorporated a separate bolt head. So, the new rifle had a Schlegelmilch/Mauser action, to which they added a five shot clip loaded improved Mannlicher style magazine replacing the previous tubular magazine, and added a full length metal barrel jacket designed by Armand Mieg. The rifle which they adopted, the Gewehr 1888 (Gew 88), while incorporating many features of Mauser design was obviously not a true Mauser. In fact, Mauser himself was not even consulted for it’s design and Mauser Werke did not manufacture any Gew 88s as they were busy fulfilling the Turkish contract. It is said that Mauser was quite put-out that he had not been asked to work on the design and vowed to build a better rifle than the Commission (which he subsequently did in 1891). Ironically, in time the cartridge was also to bear the Mauser name and was, in fact, to be the basis for most of his later cartridge developments though Mauser had no apparent input into it's design either. In any case, on March 23, 1888, General von Xylander, the Bavarian military observer in Berlin, reported that the development was virtually complete. Field trials for the new rifle were completed in November, 1888, and the GPK recommended that it be adopted immediately. The adoption orders were signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II on November 12, of that year.

Gew 88/14 Conversions Top-Rifle, Bottom-Carbine
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It is apparent that Mauser himself recognized the importance of the cartridge design as he took the basic case and in 1889 began necking it up and down to produce a wide range of military and sporting cartridges that bear his name. Such numbers as the 7.65mm Belgian and 7X57mm were adopted by various world powers and the 6.5X57mm and 9X57mm were extensively embraced by sportsmen and began killing game all over the world. He also designed a further improved rifle around the cartridge and when the German army decided on a new rifle they adopted Mauser’s Model 1898 in the existing 7,9X57mm caliber. This was much stronger and superior to any of the previous actions and they kept it in service for the next half century, using it to fight two World Wars.

In 1898 Teddy Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" charged up San Juan hill during the Spanish-American War. They faced the M95 Mauser rifles wielded by the Spanish forces at the top of the hill. Though declared an American victory, the US forces suffered over 1,400 casualties at the hands of only 700 Spaniards. The U.S. Army, seeing these innovations in arms and ammunition deemed our .30-40 Krag to be inadequate in comparison and began developing a new rifle and cartridge. Springfield Arsenal essentially took the 7,92X57 case, stretched it out about ¼” and necked it down to accept the Krag’s .30 caliber 220gr FMJ Round Nose bullet driven at 2300fps (not a whole lot faster than the .30-40s itself) and called it the .30-03. At the same time they also adopted a new battle rifle which they called the Model 1903 Springfield. The Springfield had so many similarities to the Mauser that the American government was to pay royalties to Mauser Werke. However, I have not been able to ascertain whether this actually occurred. Some sources say that they did pay up until the U.S. entry into the war with a final settlement made after the war was over and other sources say that they did not pay any monies at all because of the war.

As world shaking as the 7,92X57 cartridge was, cartridge development did not stand still. Battlefield results, particularly when using the Maxim, demonstrated that the 7,92X57mm had some shortcomings. First was that it had too short of an extreme range. They were just not able to "reach out and touch someone" as well as they would have liked. Second, they were wearing out the bores on their rifles and especially on the Maxims too quickly. Early trials found that the excessive friction of the long cylindrical bullet and bullet/bore dimensions led to an increased risk of split barrels and excessive metal fouling. So, there began a series of stop-gap measures and improvements to the existing rifles to rectify these conditions.

Much controversy exists as to the bore specifications of subsequent changes and the attendant markings. Apparently, the new smokeless powder eroded the bores on the earlier guns rather rapidly so they deepened the rifling leaving the bore diameter at 7.92mm (.3118") and marked converted guns with a "Z" ("Zuge" or "modified rifling") on the receiver. Some sources say that this new depth was 0.15mm which would give a groove diameter of .323". However, other sources state that this groove diameter was actually .321" and this is borne out by my "Z" bored 1890 Danzig Gew-88 which has the .321" groove diameter.

In 1905 the German military adopted the “S” or Spitzgeschoss bullet for improved effect. This was a sharply pointed bullet of .323” diameter, 154gr weight and 2880 fps velocity and which only had about 35% of the bearing surface of the older bullet. These barrels retained the .311" (8.1mm) bore but the rifling depth was, in fact, increased to 0.15mm for a total of .323". They re-chambered most of their older Gew-88s to the new specifications so that they could use the new ammunition but left the bore dimensions, such as they were, intact. To accommodate the new cartridge and pressures, the chamber neck diameter was increased as was the freebore. These were typically marked on the receivers with an “S”. So, you then had the possibility of rifles with the original specification .318" groove/.318" chambers (J bore but not marked as such), .321" grooves/.318" chambers (Z marked), .318" groove/.323" chambers (S marked), 321" groove/.323" chambers (Z&S marks), and, of course, the new standard .323" groove/.323" chambers (S mark or no mark). In all of this confusion I suspect that not all rifles were marked appropriately and, consequently, the bore and chamber dimensions should be checked before firing any 7,92X57mm rifle. Hence, the confusion with this cartridge/rifle combination.

In actual point of fact, there have only been two cartridge specifications, the original .318" diameter 7,92X57J and the 7,92X57S. These are viewed as distinctly different cartridges by the Europeans and loaded to different power levels. It is the efforts to modify the various rifles to accommodate these cartridges that has made the matter worse. However, it is fairly simple. Military rifles manufactured after 1905, and these are the vast majority of rifles, have the .323" "S" bore and should be safe with surplus ammunition. Military rifles made before 1905 and all pre-WWII commercial rifles should have the bore dimensions checked to determine the appropriate ammunition but should safely handle the low pressure American loads.

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Seeing the advantages of the new configuration, the U.S. Army again played follow-the-leader and adopted a 150gr pointed flat-base bullet as well. These bullets being a bit on the short side, they abbreviated the neck of the ’03 case to accommodate it and called it the .30-06. 

These developments did not escape the notice of the rest of the world. In the course of time the Mauser '98 and its cartridge were used in one form or another by most of the countries of the world. It is estimated that as many as 100 million Mauser '98s have been built to date and countless automatic and semi-automatic weapons with voracious appetites for ammunition  including the Maxim, Madsen, Mg08, Mg34, Mg42, Gew-43, FN-49, Hakim, etc. have resulted in the production of tens of billions of rounds of  7,92 ammunition

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L-R; .30-40 Krag, .30-03, .30-06, 7.92X57J, 7.92X57JS, 8X57JR

Over the course of the next two World Wars the Germans developed a wide variety of ammunition types for their rifles. These include the Schweres Spitzgeschoss or “heavy pointed bullet” of which some 8-9 Billion rounds were produced. This “sS” cartridge used a 197gr bullet at 2500fps and was designed for long-range use with a much better aerodynamic profile incorporating a modern boat-tail. This loading was copied by many other nations using this cartridge as well. The Germans also produced the  “SmK”  or Spitzgeschoss mit Kern which used a pointed bullet with a hardened steel core and the “SmK(H)” which used a tungsten core for armor piercing. There were also aluminum bullets, tracers, incendiary, grenade launching, explosive, aerial spotting, signal, multiple bullet, and other loadings as well.

"S" and "sS" Bullets
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One of the other confusing aspects of this cartridge is the variety of names that are used or it. Among them: 8mm Mauser, 7.8X57, 7.9X57, 7.92X57, 8X57 all with or without the “J” and/or “S” as well as “Ss”, depending on the particular loading. There is also a rimmed version to add to the confusion that uses similar designations but with the letter "R" appended to the name. Below are some of the designations in common use. This is by no means a comprehensive or complete list.

7.8X57JR	Commercial rimmed .318" bullet
7.9X57mm	Other Militaries-Turkey, South America
7.91, 7.92X57	German Military
7.92X57J	German Military .318" bullet
7.92X57JS	German Military .323" Spitzer bullet
7.92X57JsS	German Military .323" Heavy Spitzer bullet
8X57 Mauser	Commercial rimless .323" bullet
8X57R Mauser	Commercial rimmed J/JS .318/.323" bullet
8mm Mauser	Commercial rimless J/JS .318/.323" bullet
8mm Special	Early Commercial Remington

Though adopted by dozens of countries across the globe, the most common cartridges that we encounter today are the 154gr FMJ Flat Base, the 197gr FMJ Boat Tail and, of course, the various commercial soft-point loads. Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre in Belgium is one of the most prolific manufacturers of Mauser rifles and ammunition and, to this day, still produce commercial versions. They provide the following information for their versions of those two military loads fired from the full length rifle. These tables are most illuminating as they give ballistics out to a full 2,000 meters, the maximum range on the rifle's sights. I did not convert the distance measurements as they coincide with the metric markings on the rifle's sights.

Ballistics of the F.N. Rifle, Cal. 7,9mm
Light Pointed Bullet (154 gr.)
Distance (Meters)	Angle of Elevation	Angle of Descent	Time of Flight (sec)	Height of Trajectory (in)	Remaining Velocity (ft/s)	Remaining Energy (ft/lb)
0	-	-	-		2805	2690
200	5' 25"	6' 18"	0.26	3.54	2223	1689
400	12' 57"	17' 54"	0.60	17.32	1721	1013
600	23' 47"	39' 7"	1.03	51.97	1332	607
800	39' 35"	1° 1' 34"	1.59	125.60	1076	396
1000	1° 1' 34"	1° 29' 58"	2.24	259.46	938	301
1200	1° 29' 58"	2° 6' 4"	2.98	472.46	848	246
1400	2° 9' 15"	3° 9' 40"	3.87	812.64	756	195
1600	2° 52' 28"	6° 17' 10"	4.78	1252.42	688	162
1800	3° 52' 11"	8° 44' 20"	5.91	1912.69	612	128
2000	4° 58' 20"	13° 40' 00"	7.11	2795.41	528	95
Pressure=	42,670 psi		Max Range=	4,046 yds

Ballistics of the F.N. Rifle, Cal. 7,9 m/m
Streamlined Pointed Bullet with Tapered Base (197.5 gr.)
Distance (Meters)	Angle of Elevation	Angle of Descent	Time of Flight (sec)	Height of Trajectory (in)	Remaining Velocity (ft/s)	Remaining Energy (ft/lb)
0	-	-	-	-	2494	2734
200	6' 10"	6' 20"	0.28	3.94	2165	1603
400	13'	14' 20"	0.61	15.75	1883	1213
600	21' 50"	26' 40"	0.98	43.31	1624	902
800	33' 40"	46' 50"	1.43	90.56	1398	668
1000	49"	1° 17' 10"	1.96	177.17	1204	496
1200	1° 9'	1° 59' 50"	2.56	314.98	1056	382
1400	1° 33' 30"	2° 52' 50"	3.23	531.52	961	316
1600	2° 1' 30"	3° 52'	3.94	787.44	899	276
1800	2° 33'	4° 56" 20"	4.70	1141.79	850	247
2000	3° 7' 30"	6° 6' 30"	5.51	1614.25	804	221
Pressure=	45,500 psi		Max Range=	5,140 yds

Ballistic Coefficient tends to vary as the velocity, in particular at trans-sonic velocities. Based on the above data, the ballistic coefficients of the two bullets were calculated and are shown below for comparison:

 

Ballistic Coefficient
Bullet	Mach II	Mach I	Sub-sonic
154gr Flat Base FMJ	0.321	0.337	0.329
198gr Boat Tail FMJ	0.547	0.584	0.539

This cartridge has been loaded in the U.S. since before the war by most, if not all, of the major ammunition manufacturers as well as in Europe. A wide variety of commercially loaded ammunition is available from vintage to late production. Representative examples and common published ballistics are presented below and this is by no means a comprehensive listing.

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	Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity	100 Yds	300 Yds	500 Yds	Muzzle Energy	100 Yds	300 Yds	500 Yds	Drop At 300 Yds
RWS	198 TIG	2620	2550	1960		3015	2425	1690		16.4
RWS	187 HP	2690	2420	1930		3005	2430	1545		15.2
Norma	165 PPC	2854	2524			2984	2334
Winchester, Remington, Federal	170 SP	2360	1969	1333	997	2102	1463	671	375	29.68
DWM	123 RNSP	2968	1991	1565		2415	1497	477

As you can see, the American commercial ammunition is vastly under-loaded. SAAMI specifications limit the pressure to 35,000psi as compared to the 42,670psi and 45,500psi of the military loadings. This is in deference to the GEW 88 rifles with the .318" bores still out there in which modern .323" diameter ammo should not be used under any circumstances. The Europeans, on the other hand, with fewer lawyers per capita, do not consider this to be a problem and load their ammo up all the way, fully expecting the shooter to be familiar with his weapon and the proper ammunition for it. As this is a widely used and highly developed cartridge on the "Continent", about equal in popularity as the '06 is in the U.S., there is a much wider variety of European ammunition with better ballistics available in a plethora of bullet styles in both .318" and 323" diameters.  

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In contrast, the American bullet manufacturers produce a somewhat plebeian, if competent, group of projectiles. They are certainly adequate for any purpose that you might rationally want use this cartridge. The advent of the 8mm Remington Magnum has invigorated them to produce a somewhat wider variety of bullet weights and styles ranging from 125gr through 150gr, 170gr, 200gr, to 220gr. Sierra also produces their excellent 200gr HPBT Matchking bullet in this caliber for target work. It would be an excellent bullet to use as a duplicate of the "sS"  bullet for long range work having a Ballistic Coefficient of .520.

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For inexpensive shooting it is still hard to beat the surplus military ammunition.  The ubiquitous Turkish ammo sells for approximately $6-$7 for a 70 round bandoleer (less in bulk) and is of the 154gr type featuring a mild steel jacket. You are hard pressed to buy commercial bullets alone for that price! The Turkish 1951 ammo uses a gilding metal jacketed bullet with a concave base and weighs slightly more than the previous versions. Much of the South American ammo, such as that from Ecuador, is of the 196gr. type also with mild steel jackets. The Yugoslavian ammo that is now on the surplus market is of the sS type as well but uses a gilding metal jacket. And, of course, all of it is corrosive so make sure that you clean your rifle immediately after use.  

L-R; Turk Bandoleer, Turk Ammo Breakdown, Yugoslavian and Ecuadorian Ammo
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Actual chronograph results of various ammunition is listed in the following tables. Velocities are 5 round strings instrumental at 15'. Elevation was 800' ASL, Temperature was 48° F, 8mm Mauser velocity varies proportionately, approximately 1fps per degree Fahrenheit of temperature. Humidity was 100%, and Barometric Pressure was 30.14" and steady. All strings were shot within the space of one hour. I was only able to fire two rounds of the Turk 1941 ammo through the Yugo as I did not have sufficient ammo for a full five round test, consequently the SD and ES data is not listed. The Remington "Kleanbore" is 1930-50s vintage and Peter's "Rustless" ammunition is similar vintage commercial stock as well. 

 

	Turkish Mauser 29" Barrel					Czechoslovakian VZ-24 24" Barrel
Cartridge	Bullet Weight	Average Velocity	Standard Deviation	Extreme Spread	Energy	Average Velocity	Standard Deviation	Extreme Spread	Energy
Turkish 1941	154 FMJ	2882	14	44	2840	2699	*	*	2491
Turkish 1942	154 FMJ	2914	24	63	2903	2772	16	50	2627
Turkish 1951	156 FMJ	2906	9	30	2925	2746	16	42	2612
Equadorian 1954	196 FMJ	2476	37	89	2668	2367	31	89	2438
Yugoslavian 1954	198 FMJ	2368	24	70	2465	2261	38	120	2247
Winchester Super Speed	170 RNSP	2386	39	98	2149	2244	30	91	1900
Remington Kleanbore	170 PSP	2362	64	179	2106	2210	83	225	1843
Peters Rustless	170 RNSP	2554	61	154	2462	2371	32	90	2122

 

The Turkish ammo has a reputation of being "hot". This is demonstrated by its enhanced ballistics over the FN loads and substantial energy advantage over the other military loads. The Equadorian ammo came very close to the FN specifications while the Yugoslavian was milder. It was surprising to me how consistent the Turkish ammunition was especially considering its age.

The current U.S. commercial ammo is pathetic at best. As you can see, the modern Winchester "Super Speed"  and the Remington "Hi-Speed"  labels are misnomers as they produce the lowest velocities of the cartridges tested. The advertised ballistics are only achievable in the 29" barrel. Out of the carbine length barrel you can expect performance comparable to the .30-30. It does make for a less shoulder punishing round and it is, of course, reloadable.

The Lebel and its cartridge are long gone as is the Gew. 88, lost in the dustbin of history.  Yet, the basic design of the 7,9X57 cartridge is as state of the art today as it was 120 years ago, and will remain so for the foreseeable future.  From small bore varmint rifles and our current issue combat rifle to huge aircraft machineguns and artillery pieces they all share the same basic characteristics that make this a true milestone in cartridge design.

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