Like with most of the similar cartridges under discussion in this series there is no valid argument that puts either of these two above the other. If I were to buy a new elk rifle and I look over the offerings and there is a piece in the shelves that attracted my attention by its impressive wood, and it shoulders well and the barrel is anything between 24"-26" and it is a Mauser or Mauser based action and the price is reasonable - and I see either .30-06 Sprg or 8x57 JS on the barrel I shall take it and know that it will do the job in exactly the same perfect fashion as the other would have.

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The 8x57 shoots each bullet weight from 220 gr down to about 180 gr about 50 ft/sec faster than the 30-06 but the impulse per bullet frontal area of the two calibres is exactly the same, so penetration into a heavy animal with similar shot placement will be the same.

 

For me, personally, owning a very pleasing looking and accurate Musgrave 30-06 bought for the reasons mentioned right at the beginning of the article, an 8x57 JS Mauser in a Mauser 98 action and a Musgrave barrel will be a dream come true. Just because.

 

(under construction)