sporter 98

[wormbobskey]

I recently picked up a sporterized mod98 with an 18" barrel. Has anyone got any information on how this short barrel will shoot? Should I shoot military surplus or factory ammo? I have never seem one with the barrel shortened so much, but it looks to have been done by a competent gunsmith. The overall appearance of the rifle is very nice. I guess thats why I got it. I plan on using it for bear hunting and it looks like it would make an excellent brush or treestand rifle. Thanks, Worm.

[Stan in SC]

I took an M48 Mauser and had the barrel shortened to 17".It is a dandy tree stand gun.Light handy and has much punch.Awesome ball of flame out the barrel with Turk surplus ammo when target shooting.Has a distinctive LOUD bark to it.

[1911crazy]

If its 8mm, the heavy 8mm round i have heard some great things about it on another forum one guy posted he shot it into brush and it broke everything in its path and stayed on target.  Thats good to know about the wider 8mm bullet over the smaller calibers.   I would benchrest it with the shorter barrel and see how she shoots it just may shoot good if the crown is ok.                                                    BigBill

[wormbobskey]

I'm in the process of getting some military ammo to test fire the rifle and if everything works out well I will try some moderate factory ammo and see how they group. I don't plan on taking any long range shots so as long as it will keep them on target out to 100 yards I will hunt with it. I have had a few 98's before and all shot well enough for hunting, hope my luck holds up. Anyone have any preferances on factory ammo that would handle bear? Thanks, Worm.
P.S. BigBill, I checked the crown and that is what led me to beleive it was custumized by a competent gunsmith. The crown looks to be in excellent shape with no dings at all.

[MGMorden]

Anyone have any preferances on factory ammo that would handle bear?

It might be a little light for grizzlies.  If you do want to do this though, go with European 8mm ammo.  American stuff is loaded weaker.  I've always found Sellier & Bellot to work very well (in other chamberings. I don't have an 8mm Mauser yet), and Igman/Hotshot is ok if you don't want to reload it (it's boxer primed but with undersized flash holes).  If you want a smidge of extra power though, and reload, then you could have it reamed out to 8mm-06.  Brass would definately be easier to come by.

[wormbobskey]

I guess I should have specified what species of bear I was refering to. I'm wanting to hunt black bear in West Virgina or possibly Canada. I live close to the Ohio River so I figured I could hunt next door in WVa. Called the local gunstore and the only ammo they had was some of that hotspot or hotshot (I think thats what it was) for 10.00 for 20 rounds. I know that isn't to bad, but there are better deals for military ammo out there. Only after I have found out what type of accuracy the rifle has will I think about buying some more expensive ammo. I used to reload a lot, but have sold off all of my reloading stuff. I only have 2 centerfire rifles now, but that is enough to warrant getting back into reloading. Worm

[dogngun]

wormbobskey:

  Seiler & Beilot makes great 8mm Mauser ammo. It should be what you need for bear. I have used it in a sporterized '98, and it's very accurate. A lot of these rifles were "converted" by good gunsmiths back when both the guns and the 'smiths came cheap. Wome of these sporters are still excellent hunting rifles, and can be real bargains if you are lucky enough to fine one.

Good luck .

Mark    

[wormbobskey]

My cousin just picked up some ammo from the local gun store. It was relatively cheap, but not sure of the maker. It has the date (1944), FS, stamped on it as well as 7.9 and TUC, the U has a period above it. It came in a 70 round bandoleir on stripper clips. They are in very good shape with no tarnish at all. I'll shoot some tomorrow and maybe post how the rifle shoots. Thanks, Worm.

[MGMorden]

My cousin just picked up some ammo from the local gun store. It was relatively cheap, but not sure of the maker. It has the date (1944), FS, stamped on it as well as 7.9 and TUC, the U has a period above it. It came in a 70 round bandoleir on stripper clips. They are in very good shape with no tarnish at all. I'll shoot some tomorrow and maybe post how the rifle shoots. Thanks, Worm.

That ammo is going to use corrosive primers.  Make sure you clean the bore just as you would a black powder rifle after shooting it.

[wormbobskey]

This is just one of several military rifles I have owned over the years, so I definitely know about the corrosive ammo that these rifles have shot over the years. I clean all my rifles after a days shooting or hunting, even if I haven't shot the gun or whether or not the ammo is corrosive. Have you got any idea who made the ammo from the discription I gave of the headstamp? The guy at the gun store wasn't sure and I haven't bought any with those markings before. Still haven't had time to take the rifle out to shoot it yet, archery deer season is in. Thanks a lot, Worm.

[wormbobskey]

Well I finally found the time to sneak off and shoot the sporterized 98. I installed a Simmons 4X32 whitetail scope on her. Tacked a silhouette target at 25 yards and shot from the standing supported position. First 5 shot group was 3 inches left and 4 inches low, but you could cover the group with a golf ball. Needless to say, I was impressed. Made adjustments and fired another 5 shot group. Same group size, but just a little to the left. One more adjustment and I was in the 10 ring. I am very impressed with the rifle because even though the barrel was getting a bit warm, it still kept the groups around an inch and a half. I had tacked the target to a 12" diameter dead tree and the FMJ bullets blew right through it into the backstop. I'm hoping that I can step it out a little tomorrow and see how she does at 100 yards. Later, Worm.