8x58 1/2 Question

[Doug Kellermann]

I am looking at a drilling that is 16x16/8x58 1/2. I understand this is also referred to as the 8x58 Sauer.

Does anyone have the history of this cartridge?
Are there varations as with the 8x57 and 8x72 cartridges?
What is the effective range of the 8x58 1/2 cartridge?

thanks

Doug

[mike ford]

Doug,
Back up and read what has been said about the 8x57R/ 360. These two cartridges are very similar, except the Sauer is a straight tapered cartridge and the 8x57R/360 is bottlenecked. They are very similar in power, with the Sauer being a very little less than the 57R/360. The cases are similar enough( the sauer is a couple thousanths larger in dia. and a little over a mm longer) that cases for both can be made from the same brass. Some may be a little short for the Sauer, but since it is tapered it has a longer neck and the bullet can be " loaded out". My friend Gene Enterkin loaded for his using 38-55 (orig. length) cases with the bulets loaded out. The same bullets can be used for both.
Mike

[Doug Kellermann]

Thanks Mike....

That information is very helpful.

Cheers,

Doug

[Doug Kellermann]

Is the 8x57 1/2 or 8x58 Sauer a standard cartridge or are there variants?

[mike ford]

Doug
The 8x58R Sauer was a "standard" cartridge. The same cartridge was sometimes shown as 8x58 1/2R. Some of us think the metric system of cartridge designation is an exact system, but it is not. Very often, numbers get rounded off at the whim of whoever is naming the cartridge.