8x68

The 8x68 S is a German magnum-class cartridge built for large game at long range. High muzzle velocity and a flat trajectory let you place a clean shot where standard calibres already drop hard. This category carries RWS and Sax loads with bullets from 8.20 to 13.0 grams.

Who the 8x68 S calibre is for

Hunters pick the 8x68 S for big animals at distance: red deer stags on open meadows during the rut, moose, wild boar crossing wide clear-cuts. The cartridge keeps strong energy well past 250 metres, so game usually drops close to where it stood. You spend less time tracking blood through wet timber after dark. The same power makes it a common choice for mountain hunting across Europe.

Cartridges in this category

The category holds three loads: two from RWS with lead-core bullets and one lead-free option from Sax. Bullet weights differ almost twofold, so you can match the load to the animal, the distance and the rules in your hunting grounds.

RWS KS 11.7 g / 180 gr

The Kegelspitz is the all-round choice in 8x68 S. Its pointed profile holds velocity at long range, and the controlled expansion works reliably on red deer and boar alike. A good load for sitting over crop fields from a high seat, where the shot distance is never known in advance.

RWS Evolution 13.0 g / 200 gr

The heaviest bullet in the category, meant for the largest game. Its deformation design retains most of its weight, so it drives deep through muscle and bone. Pick it for moose or for angles where the bullet may have to break through the shoulder.

Sax KJG-SR 8.20 g / 126.5 gr

A lead-free copper bullet, lighter and faster than the lead-core loads. The front section fragments and dumps energy quickly while the rear keeps penetrating. It suits grounds where lead is restricted and hunters who want the venison kept clean.

How to choose an 8x68 S load

Choose by the animal, your usual shot distance and the lead rules where you hunt. A light bullet flies flatter, a heavy one penetrates deeper. A practical order looks like this:

1. Match the bullet to the game: the 180 gr class covers deer and boar, take 200 gr for moose.
2. Measure your typical distances from the high seats you use most: the longer the shot, the more a flat trajectory matters.
3. Check for lead restrictions in your grounds: if they apply, take the Sax KJG-SR.
4. Test the load at the range: every barrel groups different ammunition differently.

Practical advice in the field

Zero your rifle before the season with the exact load you will hunt with, because bullets of different weights print to different points. The 8x68 S recoils firmly, so shoot from support: the high seat rail, a backpack or shooting sticks. After a drive down rough forest tracks, check your scope mounts. Keep one lot of ammunition for hunting and use the rest for practice.

The RWS and Sax brands

Both makers are German and well known among European hunters. RWS ammunition has a reputation for accuracy and consistent quality between lots, while Sax specialises in lead-free copper bullets. Together they cover this calibre well: a classic load for everyday hunting and a lead-free answer where the rules demand one.

You can also browse other calibres: 7x57 cartridges, 6.5x55 cartridges and .243 WIN cartridges. If you are unsure which load fits your rifle and your game, write to us and we will advise.