8x57mm

The 8x57mm is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge developed by the German Empire's rifle commission in 1888. Its official designation in German military service was the 8x57mm IS, with the "I" referring to Infanterie (infantry) and the "S" for Spitzgeschoss (spitzer bullet). This cartridge was designed as a replacement for the older 11x60mm Mauser black powder cartridge.

Initially, the 8x57mm was loaded with a .318 inch diameter, round-nosed bullet. However, by 1903, the German military adopted a spitzer bullet with a .323 inch diameter and a heavier charge, leading to the 8x57mm JS designation. This updated version offered improved ballistic performance, including flatter trajectory and increased velocity. The 8x57mm JS became the standard military round for German rifles and machine guns for decades.

Post-World War I, the 8x57mm cartridge saw widespread use in hunting and sport shooting. Its effectiveness against medium to large game made it a popular choice for hunters worldwide. While it was the standard military rifle cartridge for Germany during both World Wars, it was largely replaced by the 7.92x33mm Kurz for assault rifles in the latter stages of World War II. Despite its military history, the 8x57mm remains a well-regarded and commonly used cartridge in civilian applications.