Hi

I am looking at a old Mauser, made between 1905 and 1920. It is a 98 SR in 8*57R.

But, how is these caliber?
Is it just a 8*57 with a rim?

a 98 in a rimmed cartridge, why would somebody do that?

yes, expect slightly lower velocities because of lower pressure for break action rifles.

if it started life as an civilian rifle, be sure to check if it is a 8x57IR(.318" bullets) or 8x57IRS(.323" bullets).
from what i have read the reichwehr switched from 8x57I to IS in 1905, and civilian manufactorers followed some time after.
both of these cartidges had a rimmed version.

if it is a 8x57IR, factory ammo will be limited and will have even lower velocities than the 8x57IRS

Steffen is right, however the cartridge designation will be 8X57J or 8X57JRS. The Germans call the J, I. Not confuse things.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Eden:
Steffen is right, however the cartridge designation will be 8X57J or 8X57JRS. The Germans call the J, I. Not confuse things.

Jerry

Actually, they don't call the J an I. In the old german script, the I looked like a J. That's all.

It does seem odd that the rifle would be chambered for a rimmed cartridge. If it were a Large Ring 98 I might suspect it is chambered for the 8.15x46R.
There are two versions of the 8x57. There is the 8x57JRS and the 8x57R/360. The former being exxentially a rimmed 8x57JS and the latter resembling a stretched 8.15x46R.

A repeating rifle setup for a rimmed cartridge would have a magazine like that found on the Siamese Mauser.

quote:

Originally posted by vegard_dino:
I am looking at a old Mauser, made between 1905 and 1920. It is a 98 SR in 8*57R.

But, how is these caliber?
Is it just a 8*57 with a rim?

Yes, it is the "8x57" with a rim. It is a bit unusual to chamber a bolt action rifle for a rimmed cartridge, but it is possible - e.g. 303 Enfield.

As Steffen mentioned above, what you have to WATCH out for, is whether the Mauser you are looking at has a .323 or a .318 bore!!!!! From the cartridge designation (no "S" - as "8x57R" vs. "8x57RS"), it should be a .318 bore. So be damn careful not to fire "S" ammo (factory or reloaded) in the rifle before you KNOW what bore diameter you have!!! If the rifle was manufactured in Europe, the cartridge designation (missing the "S") is normally a solid indication. Guns manufactured (or rebarreled) outside of Europe often ignore the complete cartridge designation - e.g. in the US, it is common to see references to "8mm Mauser" , which leaves you in the dark as to what bore size you are dealing with.

Why would anybody chamber a bolt action rifle for a rimmed cartridge?? I can think of one reason, just off hand. Being military calibers, the 8x57I and 8x57IS are illegal in France, but the rimmed version of either is legal. Maybe somebody wanted to hunt France with his favourite Mauser...

- mike

Hello all

Well, I am not sure.
The one who is selling the rifle say it is a German made Mauser, in 8*57R. Why make a bolt mauser in a rimmed cartridge?
It has no S marks at all.

So, as MHO say, maybe it is made for a non German marked, France.

I have to go and take a look at the gun.