Looking to Buy a 8mm Mauser....Questions?

[Mulegunner]

I currently plink with a 7.62 X54 R MN and really enjoy this rifle.  Im looking to buy a 8mm Mauser ...maybe even hunt with it.  The Main reason for this is the safty on Mausers seem a little more user friendly....especially in cold weather with numb fingers.   I need to know what you guys recommend for this.  I am really unfamiliar with this rifle or current availability.  Im looking to stay in the $200 range and dont know if I can get a good solid rifle for this price. Any tips, suggestions, or input would be appreciated.

[Zeke Menuar]

I have a Turk Mauser, Czech 98/22 and a Yugo Mauser M24/47.  
If I had to drag one of my Mausers up and down deep dark canyons all day long, I'd probably pick the M24/47.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_VZ24_47_8mm_Mauser_Package.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Czech_VZ24_8mm_Mauser_Package.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_Yugoslavian_Model_48_8mm_Mauser_Rifle.html

All of these milsurps come drenched in 40 pounds of primordial gun ooze(cosmoline), free of charge.

If I was picking a milsurp for me to hunt with, I'd pick my Ishapore 2A.  The combination of the slick SMLE action, 308 Winchester ammo and handloads would be hard to beat.

ZM

[jgalar]

There are quite a few 24/47s out there that are in excellant shape and a good buy. With Mojo sights it would be a good iron sighted hunting rifle in my oppinion. http://www.mojosights.com/

[1911crazy]

Its up to you which one you want but my very first 8mm was a Yugo MOD98 preduzecci 44 which is really a German 98k with the markings ground off and restamped with the yugo crown.  These can be found for the yugo price but its really a German 98K.  Now there are many German's around too also priced reasonable too.  I think AIM has some of them.  But the yugo M48, yugo M48a, yugo 24/47 and yugo 24/52 all are great guns too like i said its which one you want.  I would browse your local pawn shops for a Yugo MOD98 preduzecci44 first.  I have seen a lot of these sitting in the used rifle racks cheap too.  The key giveaway is the little short upper hand guard it goes forward from the front of the rear site and its about 7" long.

[cal sibley]

The first thing I'd do is check and see when the rifle was made.  There's no doubt the 8x57 is a great caliber, but you have to remember many of these old M98s were used in both World War I & II so if you find one made before 1918 definitely raise an eyebrow.  I have one that was made in 1916 that is gawd awful.  I restored it during the winter, and it's a very nice looking rifle with a grained, light colored stock.  I figured I'd thoroughly clean the barrel later.  Forget it.  Some barrels are just too far gone to save.  Mine was one of them.  It's hard to imagine anything that looks so good could shoot so poorly.  I don't mean to discourage you.  Just be careful.  Best wishes.

Cal - Monreal

[Mikey]

cal sibley - if that barrel is shot out then have it replaced.  You can find new mil-surp barrels at the right prices or you can have someone rebarrel that rifle in the 8x57 (.323 bore) and keep it in the original caliber.

Mulegunner - what the other guys said about any of those 8mms is very accurate.  I have a WWII Nazi 98, a VZ-24, a VZ-24/52, a Yugo 48A and a Husquavarna 98 in 8mm.  If I were to drag any of those around the woods - and please belive they are gonna get drug all around the woods,  it would be the Husky 8 - got it scoped with a Bold Trigger.  If I was going to drag around an open sighted Mauser it would be the Yugo 48A.  HTH.  Mikey.

[1911crazy]

If you ever need an 8mm barrel I picked up a "like new" / "excellent condition" 8mm barrel from Numrich a while back for $37.  I think there out of those but they do have others for $40 now too.  The barrel was like brand new with heavy rifling from the chamber to the muzzle.  Since it was fitted/installed before in a 98 reciever it went right in and the headspace was on the "go gauge" perfect and the bolt wouldn't close on the "no go gauge".  The only thing is you have to turn the sights to line them up if they don't line up its no biggie.  I don't know if i got lucky with my first barrel change but i would like to try another to see if its a rule of thumb on the reciever fit if there all the same fit or close enough to be ok. When i seen it passed the field gauge, i purchased the no go gauge and it passed that one too so i purchased the go gauge and it was ok to fire. The chamber was reamed to the correct depth for the different reciever too.  But it was a great buy for the $$ if you stay with the 8mm round.  I was happy i listened to Mikey and S.Sumner about staying with the 8mm round.  There's plenty of surplus ammo for plinkin/varmit hunting and you can use either 170gr SP PMC or load your own for deer hunting. Just food for thought if you ever need a barrel.  I found a German 98k with a shot out barrel for $20.  Even if i needed a chamber reamer instead of buying one for around $100 there's a place on the net you can rent them too.

[Robert357]

I currently plink with a 7.62 X54 R MN and really enjoy this rifle.  ..........  The Main reason for this is the safty on Mausers seem a little more user friendly....especially in cold weather with numb fingers..... Any tips, suggestions, or input would be appreciated.

Yes, there are several examples on the web of folks who have drilled two holes through the safety knob on the MN and then put a "u" shaped piece of steel rod throught the holes and welded or solded it in place.

The purpose of the addition is for exactly the reason you find the MN lacking.

I can assure you this fix is a lot less expensive the buying a new rifle.  

Of course if you want to buy a new rifle and are using the saftey as an excuse to justifying a new rifle, go out and buy one.

[Mulegunner]

:grin: thanks for all the input........and sorry I didnt get back a little sooner.  I find this information really valuable.  I am definately looking for a later made model.

[Slamfire]

Mitchell Brothers in California is selling Yugoslaian Mausers made during WWII and stored ever since. Their top of the line collector grade sells for $295 and are becoming scarce, however they have plenty of guns that don't meet the criteria for less money.

[Norseman112]

I have a yugo M48-A like new condition I bought from a local dealer a year ago. I reload for it and it is very accurate and fun to shoot.

Norse

[stolivar]

It is drilled and tapped with a nikon on the top of it. It will shoot just as good as any of my modern guns. I still have the 29inch barrel on it. With handloads I am getting 3000 fps out of it with no pressure signs. I have fired over a 1000 round through this baby. It is one sure deer killer. I only paid $49 for the gun and $95 for the drill and tap, lowered safety and he put on one of my old redfield mounts on it.


steve