Spanish FR-8 in .308 is commercial ammo safe?

operating

Purchased Spanish FR-8 in .308 and have been told use only military loads that commercial ammo is to much for these. Will have headspaced by gunsmith before firing but any information would be greatly helpful!!! Thanks, operating

oneshy

From what I've seen in ballistic charts, 308 military and 308 commercial are the same.

luger01

While .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 NATO ammo are dimensionally the same, the NATO fodder is loaded to lower pressures.That's why when you encounter a small ring Mauser chambered in 7.62x51 you don't want to feed it .308 ammo.However, the Spanish Mauser referred to here is a laarge ring Mauser action, and is capable of safely shooting .308 commercial loads. I've put many rounds through mine and find it is most accurate with the 150 gr. bullets (I have mostly used handloads I admit).

110

Don't worry about the ammo you run through it. I have a FR-8 and I have run Federal Premium .308 out of mine and I have no problem. The large ring 98 is one of the strongest actions availible. Don't worry about factory ammo. If you're not sure take it to a gunsmith and have him look at it.

duster68

I had the same concerns, because of what I read. This is how I learned the difference between the small and large ring Mauser. I've put 100's of Winchester loads through mine. Kicks like a mule and prints high, but fun and safe to shoot. Anyone got any solutions for a butt pad for the FR-8? Love the gun, but I literally go home after a days shoot with a purple-colored shoulder.

operating

Thanks guys for all the good information!!!! operating

john w

Dusterb68--put on one of those shotgun slip on pads from pachmyer and you can shoot all day long.

duster68

Thanks! I'll give it a try.