The 8x56 is based on a conventional rimless, bottleneck case 2.21" (56mm) in length. Its rim diameter is .470" and the rim is .045" thick. The cartridge overall length is 3.04". European cases are Berdan primed with large rifle (.217" diameter) primers. Bullet diameter is .323" (8mm). Traditional RWS 8x56 factory loads drove a 200 grain round nose (RN) bullet at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2170 fps with 2105 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy (ME). The 8x56 Mannlicher-Schoenauer was available in the fine Mannlicher Schoenauer sporting rifles, perhaps the smoothest bolt action any factory has ever turned out. It provided sufficient killing power for hunting all European and most North American game. 

This text is based on information from “Cartridges of the World”, Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.