700 Classic 8x57 Mauser

[Double 30]

NIB ( literally) $ 450.00.Good price? I've always liked the caliber but cant see paying nearly that for a surplus M-98k no matter the condition. I'm curious about the accuracy of the 8mm in a 700 so those of you with one , how do they shoot?  This will be my first 700.Also it has a j lock bolt shroud, any easy way to get rid of it? Can a older shroud  just be swapped out? Thanks

[Graybeard]

$450 is an excellent price on a USED Model 700. It is a steal on ANY NIB one.

[Double 30]

Thanks Graybeard, for both the response and a TRULY excellent  site! I'm hoping this Classic shoots as good as it looks ! I about had a heart attack when I saw this one on the rack in this condition.The shop owner got her from a non shooting collector who was short on cash. She's perfect in every respect, heck even the blueing on the backs of the locking lugs is perfect! I've had superb luck with only 2 rifles so far . My 336 Marlin 30-30 and my No4 MK2 .303.Both are in a class by themselves in terms of accuracy.Hopefully this 700 will make it 3

[jjamna]

Boy I wish I could find one for that Price

[beemanbeme]

They have after market bolt shrouds that eliminate the J lock that are an easy swap.  I don't know if a smith has to be involved or not as I've never been bothered by the things. I just turn them off and forget about them. Having no small children in my home. 
I paid considerably more for my Classic but shortly after I bought it, I was at an estate sale and bought a set of dies and a life time supply of Sierra 175gr 8mm bullets which my rifle likes very well for a very good price.  I have tried Varget powder only and quickly found a good hunting combination which gives me slightly more than MOA accuracy and not quite 2700fps.  I've adjusted the trigger to where it breaks cleanly at 3#. Other than that, the rifle is as it came from the box.  I am very pleased with mine and have used it to kill two deer.
Any other 8mm users I've run acrost have, to a man, been impressed with its effectiveness.

[hellacatcher]

I paid a little less for mine NIB a couple years ago. But I think yours is a real good find. Haven't had a deer in front of it yet but knew a coyote who got the business end of it. The groups are good but seems to like a dirty barrel.

[Mr. Joe]

I purchased two NIB about three years after they came out.  Paid $375 for one, $400 for the other.  I think it was because unless you handload, its a worthless caliber IMHO.  If you handload however its one of the best cartridges ever designed.  To make a long story short, one shot around an inch bone stock with ss 196 surplus ball, the other around 2.5 inches with the same ammo.  Handloads as you guessed improved things, albeit slightly.  Kept the shooter, sold the other to my buddy who kept the action, sold the stock and barrel on E bay.  FWIW, H4895 over a 150gr. sptizer yeilded mid 2900s and shot great!