Mauser Mod 98. 8mm?

[coop55]

To all you Mauser lovers.

I just inherited a WW2 Mauser action rifle that has been sporterized. I have been reading up on the rifle and its history. Seeing how there are so many different types and people saying that barrels could have been changed out. I was wondering if there was a way to really know if my gun is the 7.97 x 57 (8mm Mauser) version?

Should I just order the ammo and get this puppy sighted in and ready for Elk season?

[Tere_Hanges]

Looks legit to me. The barrel is stepped like the originals. I would think that if it was rechambered the new chambering would be stamped somewhere on the barrel or receiver.

[pacrat]

Was ammo from owner also inherited? Anytime there is a question of history. Unless there is further evidence of rifle being unaltered. I recommend a chamber cast and headspace check.

Firm believer in cheap insurance.

[Flouncer]

2 things short of chamber cats and gunsmith. See if factory 8x57IS cartridge fits. Bolt closes etc. Try a 7mm .284 and an 8mm .323 bullet in the bore.

[TMB 1]

You should check headspace. Never know someone could have turned into an 8mm-06.

[oc16]

even inherited with holes it hurts to look at but a guns a gun and it has history

[pacrat]

You should check headspace. Never know someone could have turned into an 8mm-06.

The 8mm-06 conversion was my concern also.

[Flouncer]

If one was to discern between a 8x57 and 8mm-06 chamber, couldn't they try to carefully load ( not fire !!) a 30-06 (case) in it ? And if so the 06' would chamber in an 8mm-06 but not in the 8x57 ? Ne Pas ?

[Milsurp Collector]

[Flouncer]

The Midway guy, Larry Potterfield ? looks way to happy to me !! I think he needs to work customer service phones near the Christmas holiday shopping season.

[Ishooter]

Reblueing the metal parts can make it look better. But if you like modern look, maybe coat the metal parts with either Duracoat, GunKote KG, or Cerakote with whatever color that you'd like.

[BayouBullets]

ALWAYS make a chamber cast and check the headspace on any used gun this old in the absence of direct contact with the previous owner. Especially when it has been sporterized. Recutting chambers isn't EASY, but lots of hobbyists are capable enough to do it. A gunsmith would stamp the barrel, but an amateur might not.

[emptybottle151]

You could restore it to its original configuration

[2shotjoe]

You could restore it to its original configuration

i wouldn't, those damn drill holes go through markings.

[NapalmCheese]

You could restore it to its original configuration

And destroy all of it's history buy turning it into a bubba-surp? Heresy!