Introduced in 1906 by Remington the Model 8 was John Browning’s last sporting rifle design, based on his long recoil patent design, also implemented on his Auto 5 shotgun were as the recoil from the round cocks and reloads the firearm by the barrel moving reward along with the introduction of the 35 Remington cartridge made this a instant hit with sportsman. Browning having a long working relationship with Winchester designing the 1885 single shot a long with the 1886,1887,1892,1894,1895 lever actions and the 1890,1893,1897 line of pumps when he showed this new design to T.G. Bennett he was less than enthused and sat on the decision to produce Browning’s auto shotgun design for 2 years so Browning getting fed up with waiting and convinced this design was a winner asked Bennett for royalties on the design which Bennett refused and with that Browning broke off from Winchester..( big mistake on Winchesters part)

Browning went to Remington with his design but while waiting on a meeting with Remington’s president Marcellus Hartley in the parlor Browning was informed that the president had suffered a fatal heart attack. So realizing he wouldn’t be able to make any deals with Remington at the moment Browning took his design over the pond to FN. Having already set up a contract with them through Hart O” Berg FN’s factory director back in 1897 for his 32 cal Auto pistol ,FN was more than glad to take over the new shotgun and rifle designs, contracts where signed March 24 of 1902.

Browning stayed in Belgium for 3 months supervising the production of his A5 , an instant hit with American sportsman 10,000 where sold in the first year of production (1903) but in 1904 import tariffs on goods of foreign manufacture made the prices of FN made firearms too expensive so Browning renegotiated with FN to give him the rights to set up manufacturing in the US which they did and Browning was able to finally start manufacturing relations with Remington. Remington was very eager for Brownings designs and put them into production by 1905 with the Remington model 11 and by 1906 Remington introduced the model 8!

Five smashing knock down blows delivered at lighting speed! said Remington advertisements in 1906 with the new 35 cal Remington round with its 200 grain bullet moving at 2,000 fps. Initially introduced in 35 Remington only the 25,30 and 32 Remington soon followed in 1907 though never as popular as the 35.

25 Remington-100 grain sp at 2,330fps with 1’216 fp of energy

30 Remington-170 grain sp at 2,120fps with 1,696 fp of energy

32 Remington-170 grain sp at 2,220fps with 1,860 fp of energy

35 Remington-200 grain sp at 2,080fps with 1,920 fp of energy

Of all the Remington rounds the 35 has stood the test of time a fantastic brush and woods round it is as popular today as when it came out in 1906 that 358 cal 200 grain bullet moving at 2,000fps is a killer! a many of deer,black bear, moose, elk and grizzly bear have fallen to the little thumper! though the years rounds come and go there are fads but for the foreseeable future the 35 Remington is still a contender for one of the best woods and brush rounds. The popularity of the round over the years has made other firearm manufacturers introduced the round in some of their models Marlin in their 336 is a fine rifle and Winchester made a run in their pre 64 model 70, Remington would also have the round chambered in the model 14 and 141 pump rifles and 760 and also there model 600 bolt action and the model 81 Remington (which is a revamped model 8).

I’ve got my Remington model 8 running 200 grain cast lead gas checks at 1,900fps ,which it really seems to like with IMR 3031 in a hornady case with Winchester primers. Looking forward to getting the old model 8 out out this winter and testing out the little thumper on some unsuspecting quarry! Get those old warriors out in the field this hunting season!