mauser or nangent?

[badgerben]

I'm looking to get a bolt gun and I'm curious which would be a better gun/caliber? an 8mm mauser, 7.62x54r nangent or 7.5x55 swiss? is the straight pull 7.5 a good gun/ caliber or are you better off with a bolt? I will be putting a scope on this gun so it will have to have a bent bolt or be changed. how do the different calibers compair to each other and to .308 an 30-06. I will be buying ammo so cost of ammo could be a factor also. thanks in advance i know this is alot to answer

badgerben

[Dutch4122]

Personally I settled on the 8mm Mauser.  Ammo has traditionally been easier for me to find.  It is even loaded by Winchester and Remington so there is a reliable source of brass.  Also a better selection of bullets if you handload.  I also like the Mauser action much better than the Mosin-Nagant.  Never had any experience with the straight pull Swiss rifle so I can't comment on that.

Just my  :money:

[Oldtimer]

Right now both 8mm Mauser and 7.62x54 Russian are cheap and plentiful.  If you are looking for something to go bang or long term survival, then either one would be good.  Both rifles are certainly battle proven.  People into the thought of having to use guns in a post-disaster situation would prefer a larger magazine capacity and the capability of semiauto fire, so the Mauser and the Nagant are not high on their lists.  In that case, a SMLE would be the bolt action of choice.   The Swiss rifle is not battle proven, and ammo will never be cheap as the other two.  I think it would be more for someone who likes something different.  Its big advantage is that it has a .308 bore, so bullets would be plentiful, if you reload.

[1911crazy]

I was at this crossroads back in the 70's of which one mauser or mosin nagant too I bought the 8mm mauser first then went back and bought the mosin "two"!!!!! Yes I bought both!!               BigBill

[Steyr]

I'm looking to get a bolt gun and I'm curious which would be a better gun/caliber? an 8mm mauser, 7.62x54r nangent or 7.5x55 swiss? is the straight pull 7.5 a good gun/ caliber or are you better off with a bolt? I will be putting a scope on this gun so it will have to have a bent bolt or be changed. how do the different calibers compair to each other and to .308 an 30-06. I will be buying ammo so cost of ammo could be a factor also. thanks in advance i know this is alot to answer

badgerben

As far as comparing ballistics... the 30-06 was derived from the 8mm Mauser with original ballistics being not quite as good.
Over the years, because of ageing rifles American manufacturers have downloaded the 8mm some, but handloaders can meet or exceed the 30-06.
The 7.62x54R is similar to the 30-06 as well, with the Swiss coming in around the .308, according to my data.
The main consideration ought to be availability of ammo and/or components.
Where I'm from, you can't use FMJ for hunting, making the 8mm the easiest choice.

[badgerben]

thanks for the insight guys. it looks like i'm going to start with a mauser, but i'll probably get both eventuly


badgerben

[Drifter Mike]

You really should get both rifles as the Nagant can be had very cheap almost anywhere ( well under $100 ) and ammo is very cheap as well ( a case of 880 rounds for under $100 as well ). The Swiss stright pull is is superb rifle and every one will be highly accruate, will out shoot both the Nagant and Mauser. Ammo is more readily available now as it is commercialy made by PMP and there is some militery out there as well. You should get one of all 3!!!!

[Buckeye]

I love dem Nagants !   Got  1st. one in 83, 27 Finn.  Heck of a gun.

[Snowshoe]

badgerben, you don't say what you want to use it for, or where you are from. If you want to use it for hunting and plan on using factory ammo, the 8x57 is loaded way down in North America. The .30-06 in a P-17, a .303 or a Mauser in .308  would be a better choice If you reload, the 8x57 is my choice. If all you want to do is shoot targets, just find something you like, they are all fun to shoot.

[Buckeye]

7.62X54R is a great round ; balistic twin to a.308 but can shoot heavier bullets.  8mm mauser is a reloading cartridge ;but if you reload its wonderful ! A 32 cal. 30-06 !  right on the heels of a .338-06 !
And last time I checked you can get a vz-24 at a very good price.
 Get BOTH !