Dear Ron, what happened to the 8mm-08?

Q: Hi Ron! Being quite new in the world of reloading, I'm currently using a lot of time reading about different calibers, cartridges etc. I see that a lot of cartridges came to life from necking up or down already established brass like that of the 30-06, into types like the 8mm-06 or 6,5mm-06. The same with cartridges based on the 308, except I can't find any information on an 8mm-08 type. It seems like in the 308 family, it jumps straight from 308 to 338 fed. Do you know what happened to the 8mm-08? Has it been tried and thrown away, or did it never get a chance?

A: Henrick, I'm sure someone somewhere has necked the 308 Win up to 8mm, but the .323" bullets are so near the .338 bullets of the 338 Federal that, well, what's the point? Actually, we already slice this bullet diameter pie too thinly. We go from .308 to .338 to .358 (358 Winchester.) Those ought to suffice! However, if your heart is set on an 8mm-08, I'm sure you can find a gunmaker to build you one. Personally, I'd stick with the 338 Federal and call it good! Cheers and best wishes!