792 calibre
I have a slot for a .792 calibre mauser98 on my ticket. Are there any modern rifles that are built to this calibre, or just the old Mauser?
Thanks in advance for your help
04 June 2004, 04:39
BFaucettJust for clarification, I assume you're asking about the 7.92x57 Mauser (aka 8x57). In the States, Remington is offering their Model 700 Classic for 2004 in 8x57JS (.323" bore). I don't know if these are available on your side of the pond. From a couple of magazine articles that I've read, it's my understanding that this is the first American factory production rifle ever chambered, from the factory, for the 8x57.
I purchased one a few weeks ago but I haven't had time to shoot it yet.
http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/700classic.htm-Bob F.
There are some current European rifles that are chambered for the 8x68. Quality production rifles have not been chambered for 8x57 or 8x60 for about 25 years. The last ones were by Brno, Mauser, Sako, FN and Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Sometimes you can find a recent push-feed Steyr in 8x57.
I said there were no "production" rifles made in the last 25 years. All those that you mentioned are pretty much special order, especially Purdy and Mauser's 98. I wouldn't expect to find too many Heym's on the shelf as well.
04 June 2004, 12:35
s3v3ntyn1n3Well i'm not sure if it applies, but from what I have read, when listing the 8mm mauser as the 7.92mm, it's actually the smaller diameter bullet (nominally .318 caliber instead of the .323 caliber) hence the additions of the "J, I, or S" after the cartridge nonclamenture.
I think this applies only if it is a really old mauser, CoTW says it was up-sized in 1905, and not to fire cartridges of .323 diameter from a .318 bore.
79
04 June 2004, 17:49
TGetzenI might suggest a 1950's (or earlier) vintage Husqvarna. Some were commercial small ring 98-style actions, some were full sized FN commercial 98 style actions, and some were on the 1894 small ring (cock on close) action like the 94 and 96 Swede military actions. All have nice lines, although some of the later ones started to show the influence of those ugly California-style stocks.
Many have been drilled and tapped - check closely, it has been my experience that some Swedish gunsmiths either didn't own or didn't believe in scope base hole drilling jigs. If you like open sights, look for one without scope base holes. They handle and point well, with stocks designed for open sights.
The 8x57 is one of my favorite rounds, hard to beat for anything of small / medium size.
Good luck,
Todd
in 8x57IS, it is the .318 diameter bullet. any gewehr 98 stamped with an I (pre 1905) or model 88 with an I is .318. however many of these were re-barreled to accept the .323 diameter bullet, or 8x57JS, which is the 8mm Mauser which all K98k's are chambered in. On double rifles, the 8x57RS or 8mm rimmed is the .318 diameter bullet. if you have a rifle you are not sure of, slug the bore. if it checks out fine, and the headspace is ok (on a lot of k98's this can be a problem with rifles used in 6 years of war and/or mismatched bolts). if no problems are found, then have a blast shooting the grandfather of all modern cartridges.
Why not look around and try and find a properly and safely sporterized mauser? You know, something in good shape that has good rifling and feeds well. There's bound to be a few of them in the UK for sale; we've got lots of them for sale here in the US. Just avoid one that some amatuer half-assed sporterized and you should have a fine shooting rifle. In any event, be sure to purchase a rifle chambered in the 8x57JS (IS) and not the 8x57S. The difference is as noted further up in bore diameter (.318 vs .323; the .323 is the "modern" 8x57JS version and the one you'll want)
I'll second or third the 8x57JS as my favorite caliber. Handload for it or shoot European ammo and it will kill anything you'd care to shoot at.
Good Luck in your search for your next 8mm!
Jason