Rechambering Spanish mauser to 8mm?

[Cuddly Cthulhu]

I recently bought my first non-.22 rifle: a Spanish Mauser. Unfortunately, while I love the look and feel of the rifle, it wants 7mm mauser. I am not so in love with the idea of shooting 7mm mauser, since it's rather expensive. Would rechambering to 8mm mauser be a bad idea? Would it, for that matter, be possible? I'm pretty new to the whole gun-ownership thing, and may be prone to doing or thinking dumb things.

Please let me know if this idea is completely retarded, before I spent much longer looking into it. Many thanks!

 

[Third_Rail]

Welcome to THR!

You'd need to rebarrel it as well, and I don't know about the overall length of the cartridges being compatible.

I'm sure someone else with more experience/better information will be along shortly to help more.

 

[Bwana John]

Im pretty sure that you can buy a Mod 98 8mm Mauser for cheaper than you can make your Spanish Mauser into a 8mm, and the 98 action is stronger. Keep the 7mm as it is, 7mm X 57mm Mauser is my favorite cartridge.

 

[longrifleman]

The PERFECT excuse to start reloading! The cost of components is essentially the same, no matter what caliber you reload for untill you get up into the magnums or have to buy extremely rare brass. 7mm isn't rare or expensive.

If you want an 8mm to shoot currently cheap surplus, there are several to choose from starting at about $100 and going up in price until you run out of money.

 

[mustanger98]

I'd have to advise you, whatever you do, DO NOT rebarrel you 7x57mm Mauser to 8x57mm.

While 7x57 and 8x57 are the same length, most rifles chambered in 7x57 are the small ring 98 rather than the large right 98 that originally chambered the 8x57. From what I understand, the 8x57 is loaded to much higher pressures than either 7x57 or 7.62NATO.

If you want to shoot surplus 8x57JS, get you a K98k. I got a good one from SOG a couple of years ago. Last I checked, they still have 'em. So does AIM Surplus.

 

[Gewehr98]

Correction.

Most Mauser rifles chambered in 7x57 are small ring 91, 92, 93, and 95 Mausers, which is an older, weaker action not quite suited to the higher pressures of the 8x57. The small ring 94 and 96 Mausers were built for Sweden, and chambered in the relatively low-pressure 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser round.

There are small ring 98 actions out there, and they're usually fine for the 8x57. Examples include the G33/40 mountain carbine, Czech VZ-33 Police carbine, and some of the Turkish Mausers one finds at discount prices these days.

And the large ring 98's are obviously just fine for the 8x57, too.

 

[Cuddly Cthulhu]

Thanks for the advice! I guess Bwana John is right: Mausers aren't that expensive, and I can take the money I'd set aside to put into this one into getting a Model 98, and maybe even get into reloading (if I find a good place in my home to set up!)

Does anyone know a good book or site that has an overview of the different Mausers that are out there, so I can go into the gun store a little more prepared next time?

 

[Third_Rail]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/index.asp



Rifles, on the left.

 

[Cuddly Cthulhu]

Thanks! I've been lurking for a while and knew this forum was awesome, but I'm really impressed. I really appreciate the help. Thank you again, everyone!

 

[Third_Rail]

You're welcome! THR - ask a question, get your answer and more within 24 hrs.

 

[Sunray]

Hi, Cuddly Cthulhu. Thanks. You've proven that not all FNG's are nuts. You asked and thought about it first.
There's very little game that a 7mm Mauser won't drop like a ton of bricks with the right ammo. Factory ammo is readily available from lots of ammo makers. Have a look here, but talk to you local gun shop.
http://www.ammogear.com/7MM_Mauser_Ammunition/