Drgondog,
Part of the reason the K98k gives a bigger kick is the heavier bullet, no doubt, but the extra drive force the Mauser cartridge can give heavier bullets is also part of the reason. Even with 200 - 220 gr bullets the 30-06 doesn't give the kick of the 198gr sS bullet in the K98k. (Don't confuse cartridge size with available drive force!)
I'm not saying the difference is huge, but its there - and even more so when we're comparing the K98k with the Garand. (The cycling mechanism taking away abit of the recoil)
Say what? "Drive Force" ?? - are you referring to some form of integrated impulse curve difference leading to larger 'felt' recoil between the 8x57JS and the 30-06? Otherwise F=1/2 MV>2
The commercial loading for the 150 gr 8x57JS is 2800 fps,100fps lower than the 150 gr 30-06. The military ball round for a M-1 was lower capacity and pressure resulting in 2700fps.
So, if you compare a M98 actioned rifle with commercial 150 gr bullet in 8x57JS to the same rifle re-barreled, same weight and length, to 30-06 in commercial 150 gr - then the 30-06 will kick harder. Change the cartridge to Mil Ball issue for M-1 and the 8mm will kick harder.
Step up to 200gr for 30-06 and compare to many (RW and Norma) standard commercial for 8mm - the 8mm has about 50fps higher velocity ---> more recoil force. Compare against military issue 198gr for M98 ? not sure. The 'std' 200 gr 30-06 is 2592fps.
I have been re-loading and wildcatting for 40+ years including 8mm, and 8mm-06. It is a nice cartridge and nearly the equal of the 30-06 in commercial loads in all bullet weights under 180 and superior from 196 and up, and slightly better wrt military cartridge for K98 vs M-1 at 150gr because a.) military brass of 30-06 less capacity than commercial brass and can't be loaded to same pressures, and b.) uses less powder for same reason.
Using a standard 30-06 round off the shelf in 1939 (or today) would not be good long term in a Garand. A M98 action is stronger than an -03 but doesn't matter under 60Kpsi.
If you re-load using Winchester brass (pretty much the most capacity of any mfr) - same primers and equivalent bullet weights and types - each to approximately 55K psi CUP - the 30-06 will be faster in every case that I have seen to date as well as my own experience up to 190gr, particularly with RL22.
Beyond that I can load a 8mmx57JS faster and stay within safe pressures
So, if not 1/2 MV>2 what is 'drive force'? It really is a new term for me.
The only thing I can think of is the benefit derived by having a larger bore derived from same case with a larger bullet. My 338-06 will drive a 225g Nosler Accubond at 2600 fps w/61.0 gr H414 which is more than a 200gr bullet in an 8x57JS. Same case as 30-06 necked up
Regards,
Bill