Rifle · Obsolete
8x50mmR Lebel
France's pioneering military rifle cartridge from 1886, the world's first small-caliber rimmed military rifle cartridge using smokeless powder.
- Caliber
- 0.3268″ · 8.3 mm
- Introduced
- 1886
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 11x59mm Gras
- Primary use
- Military/LE
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1886
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- France
- Inventor
- French military
- Manufacturer
- French State Arsenal
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 50 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9
- Primer
- Boxer Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 46,412 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Recoil
- 13–17 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 8x50mmR Lebel, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- 11x59mm Gras
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.30 | 0.327 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.85 | 0.348 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.42 | 0.450 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 16° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.77 | 0.542 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.00 | 0.630 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | ~ |
| Neck length | 9.58 | 0.377 | ≈ |
| Case length | 50.50 | 1.988 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 75.00 | 2.953 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 8x50mmR Lebel is highlighted below.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for 8x50mmR Lebel, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 8x50mmR Lebel
12 models in the database chamber 8x50mmR Lebel. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
France adopted this rimmed cartridge in 1886, the world's first small-caliber military rifle cartridge using smokeless powder. Designed by Paul Vieille and Amédée Rubin, it fired a 232-grain jacketed bullet at 2,100 fps from the Lebel rifle. The first of its kind; influenced all subsequent military rifle cartridge development worldwide.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 8x50mmR Lebel use?
- 8x50mmR Lebel typically uses a 1:9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 8x50mmR Lebel?
- 8x50mmR Lebel uses a 0.3268″ (8.3 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 8x50mmR Lebel still in production?
- 8x50mmR Lebel is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is 8x50mmR Lebel used for?
- 8x50mmR Lebel is primarily used for military/le.
- What are the best powders for 8x50mmR Lebel?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 8x50mmR Lebel include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Reference Gun Digest Books — Cartridges of the World (Gun Digest Books, F. C. Barnes) · parent_cartridge
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →