8mm Mausers??

[Hawk]

I recently got interested in military surplus rifles.

My first purchase was a M-1 Garand service grade made in 1943 (best dam surplus rifle IMHO). My second was a U.S. Enfield M1917 made in 1918. Both are chambered in 30-06. I considered a Mauser as my first rifle but decided not to go that route after shooting one and researching the cost and availability of 8mm ammo. The Garand kick is not bad at all, the Mauser does kick, but not as bad as my M1917. I use both of these rifles for CMP/NRA High Power target shooting at 200 yards with the original peep sights. Both can shoot 2 MOA with surplus Greek ammo. 30-06 ammo is a lot cheaper (about .27 a round) and readily available, more so than 8mm. Another thing I didn't like about the Mauser was the sights. Peep sights IMHO are much more accurate.

[MTechnik]

a couple of years ago, to me, the mauser was a LOT more attractive when the milsurp ammo was cheaper. You used to be able to get 900 round cans for $60. Now it's gotten much more expensive, which (to me) takes some of the benefit of the 'ol mauser.

[gf45acp]

About 20 years ago, I bought an old "lite sporterized" 98, with the cut stock like they did in the 60's.
All matching numbers, 1938 dated.
It was an area police chief's trunk gun for many years, and he sold it to the local gun store when he retired.
Paid $60 for it.
Love it. Modern hunting ammo recoil is a long push rather than a sharp, quick punch.
I still have a 500 rd. can of surplus around from years ago.
It still has the slip on recoil pad on it the the chief put on the gun.
Not pretty, but very functional.

[wizzegun]

If your are looking at Yugo Mausers then the 24/47s are a good deal right now (about $150 or less) and the M48s ($170-200 depending) are also pretty nice. I was able to find an unissued one for $130 and its a damn good shooter. Most mausers are damn good shooters. The VZ24s are nice but usually run over $200 and those are generally rough. Also they are sighted for 300 yds so a lil gunsmithing is involved with the sights.

As far as ammo, 8mm surplus is getting salty IMO. Its running $5-6 a box of 15rds and you can get Prvi 20 rds reloadable for $13. Although it depends on how much blasting you do. And like anything else, some guns like different ammo. I have a RC 98k that couldn't hold 6 inch groups with any surplus. I almost sold it! But decided on running some commercial just for kicks and every shot was within 2 inches. Go figure. I kept it

It's a shame you are not closer to Lebanon. A local dealer has 2 24/47s for $90 ea.

Try this link, here is a couple of mausers. Gunboards is a good source.
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=48432

[Pocat6]

I have a 8mm german Waffen SS mauser. The thing is a beast. Because it ways so much it doesnt kick too hard. Just think if ur a decent sized guy, it will be good for you, (since Hitlers youth) ranging from 13 to 19 years old used them. they are very powerful rifles accurate and are said to have the strongest bolts ever made. You can get a RC for around 200. Not a bad deal at all just know what to look for and make sure everything is in working condition, Safety, two staged military trigger, check for markings on the stock and barrell, and make sure the barrel is good in it. Dont buy Romanian bullets they are not that good. You can get them for 70 dollars for a SPAM can full of 340 of them. Im thinking bout getting them to shoot for fun. But if your using the gun for hunting get sum Remington Cor-Lokts that cost around 25 dollars for a box of 20. With my gun i can hit a target from 75 yards easily by just using Iron Sights. If your into scoped i dont know how u would mount one without drilling and such which is not gonna be good for u in the longrun. But if you can afford two go for it. Im not sure if the old Sniper scopes would mount on any german Kar98 but u can look on Mausers.org for accesories or you can even buy the gun off the website. Mitchells gets alot of Bad rep. I like them alot and dont have a problem with them just know what your doing when u call them and ask for a kar98 and not a M48 which is a yugoslavian rifle that was not made by forced labor. People say they send a m48 when u dont specify exactly on your order and then ur stuck with shit. Good Luck!!!

[dc dalton]

Originally Posted by Pocat6

I have a 8mm german Waffen SS mauser. The thing is a beast. Because it ways so much it doesnt kick too hard. Just think if ur a decent sized guy, it will be good for you, (since Hitlers youth) ranging from 13 to 19 years old used them. they are very powerful rifles accurate and are said to have the strongest bolts ever made. You can get a RC for around 200. Not a bad deal at all just know what to look for and make sure everything is in working condition, Safety, two staged military trigger, check for markings on the stock and barrell, and make sure the barrel is good in it. Dont buy Romanian bullets they are not that good. You can get them for 70 dollars for a SPAM can full of 340 of them. Im thinking bout getting them to shoot for fun. But if your using the gun for hunting get sum Remington Cor-Lokts that cost around 25 dollars for a box of 20. With my gun i can hit a target from 75 yards easily by just using Iron Sights. If your into scoped i dont know how u would mount one without drilling and such which is not gonna be good for u in the longrun. But if you can afford two go for it. Im not sure if the old Sniper scopes would mount on any german Kar98 but u can look on Mausers.org for accesories or you can even buy the gun off the website. Mitchells gets alot of Bad rep. I like them alot and dont have a problem with them just know what your doing when u call them and ask for a kar98 and not a M48 which is a yugoslavian rifle that was not made by forced labor. People say they send a m48 when u dont specify exactly on your order and then ur stuck with shit. Good Luck!!!

Thanks, advice taken!

[Pocat6]

il try to have sum pictures of my SS model made in Steyr austria soon BNZ 42. Maybe a video of me target shooting

[Pocat6]

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by dc dalton

...

I was looking at a Yugo (yeah I know one freaking track mind) and in some research I did I found several people raving about them so I thought I would "ask the experts" here....

If your vernacular for "Yugo" means M48:
Yugo M48 mausers are sometimes passed off as German or W.W.II Mausers. They are neither. The M48 is a post-war development. Nice gun, but a unique model. Also the action is shorter than a standard 98, so aftermarket stocks won't fit the Yugo M48.

[billt]

(Click On Photo's To Enlarge)

These are a couple of M-48's I picked up a couple years ago from Mitchell's. Both are great shooters, and very accurate. They still have a few, but I've noticed the prices have gone up and the accessories are now extra. Bill T.