Rifle · CIP
7.92x57mm Mauser
The 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser, 8x57 IS) was the standard German military rifle cartridge from 1888 through 1945, serving in two World Wars and countless conflicts worldwide.
- Introduced
- 1888
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- German Ordnance
- Manufacturer
- DWM
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.323″
- Case length
- 2.244″
- Overall length
- 3.228″
- Base ⌀
- 0.47″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.473″
- Case capacity
- 57 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:9.45
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 56,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 800 yd
- Max range
- 4000 yd
- Recoil
- 12–16 ft·lb
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 2,500–2,900 fps
- Energy
- 2,400–3,000 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 2,200–2,650 fps · 29 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 29 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 31 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GECO | Rifle | 170 | SP | 2,723 | 2,798 | — | $0.80 |
| Barnes | VOR-TX | 160 | TSX BT | 2,650 | 2,494 | — | $0.85 |
| GECO | Rifle | 196 | FMJ | 2,641 | 3,035 | — | $0.80 |
| GECO | Rifle | 196 | SP | 2,641 | 3,035 | — | $0.80 |
| RWS | ID Classic | 196 | SP | 2,641 | 3,035 | — | $1.60 |
| RWS | Doppelkern | 196 | DK | 2,641 | 3,035 | — | $1.80 |
| Fiocchi | Shooting Dynamics | 170 | SP | 2,623 | 2,597 | — | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | SPCE | 196 | SPCE | 2,559 | 2,849 | — | $0.55 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Training | 196 | FMJ | 2,559 | 2,849 | — | $0.55 |
| Norma | Oryx Bonded SP | 196 | Oryx SP | 2,526 | 2,776 | — | $2.60 |
| RWS | ID Classic SP | 196 | ID Classic | 2,526 | 2,776 | — | $1.60 |
| Nosler | Partition | 180 | Partition | 2,515 | 2,528 | — | $0.85 |
| Hornady | Custom Interlock SP | 196 | Interlock SP | 2,500 | 2,720 | — | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ Training | 196 | FMJ | 2,493 | 2,704 | — | $0.55 |
| GECO | SP Hunting | 196 | SP | 2,493 | 2,704 | — | $1.20 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Suitable powders
4 reloading powders listed for 7.92x57mm Mauser, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading cost
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 7.92x57mm Mauser
12 models in the database chamber 7.92x57mm Mauser. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser, 8x57 IS) was the standard German military rifle cartridge from 1888 through 1945, serving in both World Wars and countless conflicts worldwide. Originally introduced as the 7.92x57J (J-bore, .318" groove diameter), it was upgraded in 1905 to the IS (Infanterie-Spitzgeschoss) specification — a spitzer bullet requiring .323" groove diameter — which became the definitive version. The cartridge powered the Gewehr 98, Karabiner 98k, MG 08 machine gun, and the MG 42. Post-war, vast quantities of 8mm Mauser surplus rifles entered the commercial market, and the cartridge continues in production for hunting across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.92x57mm Mauser use?
- 7.92x57mm Mauser typically uses a 1:9.45 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.92x57mm Mauser?
- 7.92x57mm Mauser uses a 0.323″ (8.2 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.92x57mm Mauser still in production?
- 7.92x57mm Mauser is active; typical availability is common.
- What is 7.92x57mm Mauser used for?
- 7.92x57mm Mauser is primarily used for military, hunting.
- What are the best powders for 7.92x57mm Mauser?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 7.92x57mm Mauser include IMR 3031, IMR 4320, StaBALL Match, H414.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 29 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →
Lindcott Armory