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Historical Notes:  The 8mm or 7.92 Mauser was the German
military rifle cartridge through both world wars. It was officially
adopted in 1888 with a bullet diameter of 0.318-inch. In 1905, the
bullet diameter was increased to 0.323-inch. In Europe, the 8mm
Mauser and several other 8mm cartridges are available in both
sizes. The larger size is always designated as S or JS bore. In the
United States, ammunition companies load only the .323-inch
diameter or “S” bullet. The 8mm Mauser is widely chambered in
European sporting rifles, but American gunmakers have not
adopted it as a standard sporting caliber. The “J” or “I” in the name
denotes infantry ammunition. The German capital “I” was
mistaken for a capital “J” by U.S. military interpreters after World
War I and the “J” misnomer came into common use here and even
in Europe thereafter!

General Comments The 8mm Mauser had not been very popular
in the United States prior to World War II. However, the large
number of obsolete, surplus 8mm military rifles sold here since the
end of the war has increased its use substantially. American
cartridge companies only put out one loading; the 170-grain bullet
at 2360 fps or so. As loaded by Norma and by other European
companies, such as RWS, it is in the same class as our 30-06. It is
adequate for any North American big game if the proper bullets and
full loadings are used. A large variety of good .323-inch bullets is
now available for the individual handloader, and this has increased
the usefulness of the 8mm Mauser for the American shooter.

This is an excerpt from the Gun Digest Cartridges of the World, 11 Edition book. To learn more, Click Here