In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

mausers?

the loveable rat...the loveable rat... Member Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
like the turkish 8mm? is one worth 55$...hows they shoot? i know nothing about em and any info helpful. thanks.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I paid $50 for mine. They have a reputation for being "surprisingly" accurate. They rarely have matching numbers, so it is not a bad idea to have it headspaced before you shoot it, if you buy it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • the loveable rat...the loveable rat... Member Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    forgive my ignorance, but what does that mean? thanks again.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Headspaced just means that a gunsmith checks to see that the bolt closes properly and leaves no excess space between the case shoulder and the chamber wall. The gun would probably work fine even with rather excessive headspace, but accuracy would suffer, and too much could be dangerous. I never have had any of my guns checked and have never had any trouble.Turk Mausers are often found in fairly poor condition, but at their current prices, it is hard to go wrong. $55 would be fine for one if you don't have a FFL yourself and bought it at a store or show. If you get one over the internet or from some store, I've seen them for $40 plus shipping and transfer.I paid $75 for mine, but mine is in minty shape with matching numbers.An unissued Yugo Mauser for $150 would probably be a better investment as they are in perfect condition, matching numbers, have all accessories, and a better overall finish as well.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • the loveable rat...the loveable rat... Member Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jonk, hows the 8mm ballistics? do you know any of the history of that caliber? thx...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Well, I know some. 8mm ballistics are a tricky subject. In theory, the cartridge is capable of performing as well as the 30-06 in terms of power, accuracy, etc., however the 8mm trajectory isn't quite as flat as some cartridges and due to the varying quality of surplus guns, most manufacturers load the new ammo to rather mild tolerances. Still, even as loaded (to about 35,000 PSI) factory ammo is plenty powerful to take any north american game. 98 action Mausers with Large ring configuration (most Turks are Small ring, referring to the thickness of metal in the reciever area) could theoretically survive 100,000 psi pressures so you get an idea how mild modern stuff really is loaded. In contrast, the 30-06 regularly runs 45-50,000 psi. If you shoot surplus or handload, you will be realizing the gun's full potential to a greater extent.This leads to point two, the history of the cartridge. In 1888, looking to replace their obsolete 11mm blackpowder round, a German commission designed a new rifle based on a Mauser/Mannlicher hybrid bolt and magazine system, which became known as the Gewehr (rifle) 1888. The cartridge, designed at the same time, was designated 7.92X57I, I standing for Infantrie. (Many often mistake this I for a J as the old German script makes it look like a J). It had a .318 diameter, used smokeless powder, and was round nosed.In 1898, Mauser improved on a design they had been selling since the late 1880s (no relation to the 1888 gun incidentally) by adding a gas deflection shield and a third "safety" locking lug. This became the immortal 98 Mauser. However, they soon realized that, with the invention of spark photography and the ability to photograph a bullet in flight, the round nose bullet then in use was not ballistically very efficient. A pointed, or Spitzer bullet was found to be the most efficient, with the rear end boattailed or tapered. Hence, they redesigned the bullet for the new rifle and incorporated the new pointed round at the turn of the century, or thereabouts. For reasons best known to them, they increased bullet diameter to .323". Many, though not all early 98s, and many though not all 88s were rebored to accept the larger diameter cartridge, and those such altered had an S stamped on the reciever.However, it is possible to chamber the .323 round in guns whose bore still measures .318 (including some Turk guns, though not the 98 actions most frequently seen today) so as a safety, ammo manufacturers load the ammo to a low enough pressure that, if by mistake, someone should fire it in a gun which has too tight a bore, no damage SHOULD result...The cartridge was used through the end of WW2 by Germany, and by a number of third world nations and nations like Turkey until fairly recently. It is currently a popular surplus and sporting caliber in the US and europe, though few modern guns are made in this chambering.That cover your questions?
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rrfhunterrrfhunter Member Posts: 187 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK, I've got some 98 questions.Is one of the turkish 98's a good proposition to build a custom rifle from the action? With the number of inexpensive barrel blanks and stocks out there it sounds like a cool project. Lots of turned down bolts as well. Anyone with advice?
    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • the loveable rat...the loveable rat... Member Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jonk- yes! ahem...since you seem to have the know, what, then, do you think of the french MAS(i can't remember the #'s after the init.s) in 7.5.? take your time, though, all that history would wear me out....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Most of the Turks are small ring Mausers. These make fine sporters, but there are fewer choices for barrel selection, etc.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    rrfhunter IMHE most smiths will recogmend a Czech vz24 receiver over the turkish one for a (30-06 family)custom rifle. the Yugo's are a little shorter action but will handle the 308 family with ease.The most obvious dif. (other than ring size) between the 98 style and the earlier ones is that a 98 cocks on opening with the others cocking on closeure, some people don't like the feel of the spring pressure when pushing the bolt home.[This message has been edited by Tailgunner1954 (edited 02-11-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DENWADENWA Member Posts: 390 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jonk-- I am afraid you may be mistaken because most turks Mod 1938 are 98 Mausers.91 94 95 96 Mausers = small ring98 Mauser = large ring. I could be wrong but this was what I was told.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    A percentage of the Turkish 98's were built with small ring threads. Midway recogmends pulling the barrel off the Turks before ordering a replacement
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • the loveable rat...the loveable rat... Member Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks for the replies...what action/make should i look for and how much should i spend for a hunter that need not match and won't stay orig.? bonus question: what caliber?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most of the ones available now are in 7.92x57 (8mm mauser) Countrys liked to order calibers their allies used and their enimies didn't. I think it was Peru that ordered their mausers in 7.62x63 (30-06) Argentina had there own cartridge, Mexico prefered the 7x57 etc.Any surplus mauser that passes your gunsmiths inspection should make a good hunterenjoyBob
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.