I've been changing my mind more than a politician on what caliber for a customer Mauser 98.

Originally, I had narrowed it down to a 338-06 AI.

But then I thought, it would be better to chamber it in a round that Mauser offered from the factory, preferably metric, but some of their non-metric rounds would work as well.

So I narrowed it down to: 30-06 (boring), 300 H&H (probably too long for a military issue 98), 8x57 (to slow), 7x57 (already have a bunch .308 winchester rifles), 8x60mm, 8x64mm, or 8x68mm (figured it would be to much of a thumper).

So I started thinking about the 8x60 or 8x64.... but then remembered I've always wanted a .358 winchester and a mannlicher stocked mauser - well a .358 win would do fine with a 20" barrel, which is about right for a mannlicher stock.

So, what do you think? 8x64mm w/24" barrel or a 358 win mannlicher w/20" barrel?

If you're a masochist, go for the 8X64mm. I would pick the 358 Winchester or perhaps the 338 Federal. I think you'd have a few more bullet choices with the latter two.

Other Mauser Metrics

9 x 57

9.3 x 57 or 62

10.75 x 57 or 63

9.3x57 Mauser. A .358 is just too boring!!! roger

Do it in a 9,3x62.

I thought about 9.3, but already have a 375 H&H

I was going to do a 10.75 x 68mm, but decided against that.

I have a 17HMR, 22 LR, 223 rem, 243 win, 7 mag, 308 win, 300 RUM, 375 H&H, and am building a 404 and 450 Dakota

So was looking for something in the middle that isn't a recoil monster.

How about one of the 6.5's? The 6.5x57 or 6.5x55 are perfectly suited for a Mauser 98 action as are others like the 6.5x64 (aka 6.5 - 270) and 6.5x68.

Was going to suggest the old classic Mauser cartridge the 10.75x68 but seeing as you are building a 404 it would be redundant anyway. How about the 318 Westley Richards for classic old British in the Mauser rifle?

The answer came about in 1910. The 9,5x57!
375 bullets and more oomph and same MPBR as the 358 Win. The 235 grain TSX bullets and 260 grain accubonds will be the cats ass in this cart and stuffy euro metric to boot!
http://www.municion.org/9_5Mann/9_5Mann.htm

quote:

So I narrowed it down to: 30-06 (boring), 300 H&H (probably too long for a military issue 98), 8x57 (to slow), 7x57 (already have a bunch .308 winchester rifles), 8x60mm, 8x64mm, or 8x68mm (figured it would be to much of a thumper).

If a 9,3x62 is too close to a .375 H&H, and
if a 30-06 Spr is boring then you almost have us stumped here.

The 8x60 mm is perhaps the best trade-off in a standard length K98 action.
If you can get cases readily that seems to be the middle position.
Then you can shoot 8 mm (.323") bullets in the traditional range between 196 gr and 224 gr.

Warrior

458AR or 500AR

7x64 or 280 .. don't bother with an ai

8x57 is too slow, but you own 308s? only us factory ammo is slow, especially with 150s

A gunsmith here in Michigan hunted Elk annually with his wife, and both used standard 338-06 rifles.
Don't know what the objection is for this chambering, but I gotta think it's more recoil friendly than a standard 338 Win Mag, and it got the Elk job done of my gunsmith friend.

Dear Austin Hunter:

You are missing two entrants in your cartridge selection, and you can kill two birds with one stone. You don't have a .358 caliber, and you have not apparently tried an Ackley Improved.

35 Whelen Ackley Improved, is my suggestion.

I'm building one on a 1940 K98k.

I'm building a classic 8x57, too. Don't underestimate that cartridge either. Just load it to European specifications.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

I see nothing wrong with the 7mm Rem Mag, 8x57, .30-06, or 338-06, though I'd personally lean towards the 338-06 because I do not have one at the moment and I think it outstanding. Outside of those, I also like the old 8mm-06 which is still a great cartridge that fits into the mix very well.

Best

8x57

quote:

35 Whelen Ackley Improved, is my suggestion.

me2

Let me just say, the two most requested builds the last three years running have been the .338-06 and 9,3x62. Interestingly, the 8x60 doesn't lag too far behind.

Giving that you have ruled out the 9,3x62, I'd pick the .338-06 (No AI) for ease of components or, if you really must have a Factory mauser cartridge, then the 8x60. For a smaller round, the 6.5x55 gets my nod. It is also one of the top three requests in my shop.

quote:

8x57 is too slow

You obviously are not a handloader....

9.3x62 or 7x64. I don't know if it was chambered by Mauser, but it's metric. lol

I, like some of the others, beleive the 8x57 would be a very nice build. You can get to 2700fps with a 200grain bullet and thats not too shabby. I have fired 200gr Accubonds at that speed and they are very deadly. Basically you can duplicate any 30-06 bullet weight/velocity in the 8x57.

Right now I have a 35 Whelen and a 9.3x62 and for most NA hunting the 35 Whelen is preferable. In many parts of Africa, where there are rarely shots over 200 yards, the 9.3 might better. I have 338-06 on its way and it may be more so, don't know yet.

So for me, I try to think of the rifles intended game (since I'm a hunter), but if you just want something new to play with any of the suggested cartidges would do. One wildcat not mentioned and I believe has good value for us here in the USA is the 8mm-06 due to the readily available brass. If you intend to travel with it then something that you can get factory headstamped may be important.

I'd say your lineup is alreay complete. Instead of spending money on more guns, upgrade your accessories, like buying better scopes, or better hunting equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I'd say your lineup is alreay complete. Instead of spending money on more guns, upgrade your accessories, like buying better scopes, or better hunting equipment.

Yer talking complete nonesense!

rule #1 - you can never have enough guns
rule #2 - see rule #1

8.5 x 63 REB .

Keeps you in the .338 caliber as well as in a metric.

You could also pretend your Mauser is a British one and go with the 318 Westley-Richards .

quote:

8.5 x 63 REB

Is now a factory cartridge. Blaser chambers it in their R93 and RWS is making ammunition for it.

Basically Werner has developed a sorta; .338-06 AI with this cartridge.

But back to original query - I'd go with the 8.5x63 Reb, second choice 9.3x62, third choice 7x64 Brenneke.

With the first two I'd have absolutely no issues with either up in 98 Mauser and Mannlicher stocked 20" tube.

Cool!

As for the 9.3 vs. 375 controversy - I load the .375 w/300 grainers and the 9.3/w 250 gr. grainers. Guess I'm just fortunate enough to have enough rifles to be able to select cartridges by bullet weight?

quote:

Originally posted by Warrior:
The 8x60 mm is perhaps the best trade-off in a standard length K98 action.
If you can get cases readily that seems to be the middle position.
Then you can shoot 8 mm (.323") bullets in the traditional range between 196 gr and 224 gr.
Warrior

8x60S is also recommended by z1r.

Brass available from Grafs, dies made by Hornady - look on Gunbroker < $70. Brass easily formed from 06 brass. I've made at least a 100 from range picked-up Rem brass.

There's nothing wrong with the 8x57. plenty of speed with the right bullet and load.

The 8x60S is just plain interesting - especially in a Mauser action.

KB

quote:

The 8x60S is just plain interesting - especially in a Mauser action.

It's really an enigma that what was, after all, something to comply with the Versailles Treaty actually made a BETTER than its "parent"!

The big advantage of the 8x60S is that it has not only increased capacity and a longer case neck but that it enables the AMERICAN HANDLOADER to use American powders easily.

I've always found American powders too bulky for either 303 British or 8x57 and here in Europe at least they aren't popular for 303 or 8x57 as the case is full long before you duplicate factory velocity!

If you can get French Vectan powders there are some really interesting loads in 8x60S...

http://www.balleurope.com/rech.../8x60s.php?langue=en

we've got a neighbour kid who has ADHD - this is similar.

bring order to the plan. define your parameters - what is your goal?

if your goal is to get something that is going to go bang and kill game, then stick with the .30/06. it is accurate, very effective and will not break your shoulder.

if you want to have the most obscure cartridge on the block you've got plenty of choices - narrow it down to two and then flip a coin.

my personal choice would be .264/06.

.318 Westley Richards, next choice, std. 338/06.

It's a complete waste of space to put a 308, 358 etc in a standard Mauser 98.

If you want classic, go with a:

6.5X55
6.5X57
7x57
8x57
8X60
9.3X62
9.3X64

There are no flies on any of those cartridges and they easily handle 95% of the world's game animals. If you're a handloader, they are also some of the most underrated (and under-loaded) rounds out there. I'm trying to figure out what a 30-06 or 338-06 can do that a handloaded 8X57 can't do but for the life of me, I can't come up with anything.

The 300 H&H will fit in a standard M98 with some modifications. The modifications and custom bottom metal will add $1000+ to the cost of your project. I have a few long magnums built on M98s and I really like them but just be prepared for the added expense.

The other option is to just build the rifle you originally wanted - the 338-06. It's a great round and your Mauser will eventually forgive you.

If I was set on a 20" barrel (for a Mannlicher) would the 8x57, 8x60, or 8x64 be best?

I agree, a metric caliber would be nice.

I'd go with any length between 19-21" bbl and the 8X57. The 8X60 and 8X64 are going to belch flames with the short barrel. The extra two inches has a fair impact on the style of rifle; just decide what type of rifle you want and go build it.

I'm building a full-stocked 9.3X62 with a 21" bbl. I already have full-stocked 6.5X55 (19" bbl) and a 7X57 (17" bbl) - both are very nice little rifles.

Hope this helps.

Cartridge for a Mauser?
Of course, I have to say, the one it was made for...
8x57 Infanterie Spitze!
I havent been fond of it myself, until just recently. What I discovered is that it is truly an efficient cartridge, much like the .308 Win, but a touch bigger.
Factoryloads arent much but if you reload you will discover its true potential.

Much of what I wrote has already been posted, I just post to make sure you dont go wrong!

The 8x60S is a real good choice! It is nearly the same case as the .318 Nitro, but it uses a better known diameter ( .323 to the .330 of the Nitroexpress).
Cases are easily reformed from the 06, but there are new cases from RWS (Germany) or PRVI (Serbia).
I just use the 8x60S in a BRNO ZG 47 with the new Barnes TTSX 160grs at 2900fps!

@ Grumulkin: Oh yes, you must not be a masochist if you take the 8x64S! It is nearly the same as the 8mm06 and I think, that the 8x68S is perhaps the cartridge for a masochist!

quote:

I just use the 8x60S in a BRNO ZG 47 with the new Barnes TTSX 160grs at 2900fps!

Please post a pic to see this beauty .... these ZG47 rifles have reached collectors value.

There is still a place in my safe for one.

Warrior

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
I've been changing my mind more than a politician on what caliber for a customer Mauser 98.

Originally, I had narrowed it down to a 338-06 AI.

But then I thought, it would be better to chamber it in a round that Mauser offered from the factory, preferably metric, but some of their non-metric rounds would work as well.

So I narrowed it down to: 30-06 (boring), 300 H&H (probably too long for a military issue 98), 8x57 (to slow), 7x57 (already have a bunch .308 winchester rifles), 8x60mm, 8x64mm, or 8x68mm (figured it would be to much of a thumper).

So I started thinking about the 8x60 or 8x64.... but then remembered I've always wanted a .358 winchester and a mannlicher stocked mauser - well a .358 win would do fine with a 20" barrel, which is about right for a mannlicher stock.

So, what do you think? 8x64mm w/24" barrel or a 358 win mannlicher w/20" barrel?

6,5x57, 7x57, 7x64 or 8x57JS.

OK done - 8x57 (.323) with a 21-22" barrel (Mannlicher)

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
OK done - 8x57 (.323) with a 21-22" barrel (Mannlicher)

Thanks!

BINGO!!!
A buddy here hunts with an 8x57 annually for Deer, and he's the most prolific Deer killer in the area. He owns an 80 acre parcel, and has all the Deer he needs on his property..

good choice!