Hello,
One other question. Another rifle that is under consideration is a M98 (do not know what sub-type, exactly) original Mauser. 8mm caliber.

What would be some good working bear loads fo this one?

Thanks in advance.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

Assuming you're speaking of black bear, I would suggest something like the Sierra 175 spitzer loaded to about 2600 fps or so. A heavier bullet is unnecessary and in the 8mm, a 150 grain bullet lacks sectional density, so go with the mid-weight pill.

Much has been made lately of the wonders of the .338-06. Back in the fifties and sixties when 8mm surplus '98's were common, but ammunition for them wasn't, a lot of them were reamed out to 8mm-06. This can turn the old Mauser, which is about the equivalent in power to a .308 winchester, into a semi-magnum suitable for elk, moose, and such.

The 8x57 Mauser is available with the �J� suffix and the �S� or �JS�. The difference is the bore size, I have a JS which is .323. The J is narrower - .319 I think and used only in very old military actions. You need to make sure you put the right bullets down it of you are going to have problems. Modern 8mm bullets are .323.

I currently use Norma factory 196 grain ammo. It comes out of my 23 inch Mannlicher barrel at 2475 fps. I believe that a sound actioned 8x57 is everything a 30 06 is, and has more guts than a 308, benefiting from good frontal area.

Keep the bullets heavier than 180 grains or you will lose out on sectional density.
Although not as common as the 06 the 8x57 has a strong following in Africa and Europe, not without reason.

Good hunting

DD

Most of the black bears that I have "pasted" were at fairly close range. The 8x57 should be a good round for this use with the medium to heavier bullets as noted above. I had some European clients from days far past that used their 8x57 with sucess on Moose, though one of those was a somewhat funny story.

There are a number of fine condition Mausers available, though it is a good idea to have the headspace checked and the bolt and action magnafluxed to check for incipient cracks. I know of one recent incident where the bolt broke from an existing crack that was not detected by visual inspection by a gunsmith. The M48 Yugoslav Mausers can be had in almost new condition and are capable of fine accuracy. I just recieved a beautifull Carl Gustav M96 long barreled "marksman" rifle in 6.5x55 Swede and can't wait to try it out.

Good Shoot'n!

I don't know the load data on this but there is a load that will push a 200gr Nosler Partition at 2400+fps. That will dump a black bear on it's ass in a hurry under 200 yards.

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When in doubt, empty the magazine.

TomF,

Any chance of hearing the somewhat funny moose and the 8x57 story?

Sometime in Arctic Alaska during the last millineum: it is September on the Arctic Slope of the Brooks Range and the tundra colors are in full glory, it is Moose Season! In my "care" is a German client with his trusty (very nice custom) 8x57. A stalk brought us into shooting distance of a bull with a cow who was just crossing the Anaktuvik River, from the other side to our side, about 150 yds downstream. Having crossed the river they stopped on top of the bank and the bull looked around, probably getting a little scent. My fairly nervous client sighted carefully and....Kaaaaaboooom...whooosh. The cow dissapeared immediatly into the brush, but the bull hesitated a couple of seconds and looked around a once again to see where all of the excitment was originating. Just enough time for the client to rechamber and calm down enough for another shot. Kaaaabooooom.....and the moose tumbles off the bank right into the river! The moose is down but thrashing around a bit, but all motion ceases soon. Now how I knew enough to have a rope with me to lasso the moose and drag him to shore I'll never know,but there you are(not a big river).

Skinning out the moose, standing in the river with my hip boots, did not reveal any "holes". This perked my interest a little.

The German clients prefered a skull mount of the head with the antlers attached, so a little more riverside surgery was required to clean the inside and outside of the skull in the manner desired. At this point the "autopsy" was incomplete. The only damage to the head was a very minor chip out of the extreme posterior end of the jawbone.

My only feasable conclusion was that the moose sufferd a concussion, fell in the river and drowned.

Good one, I enjoyed that.