1942 K98

[43BMWR75]

I have a 1942 Sauer K98, matching number gun*. I had the head space checked and is fine. The only known problem is the rifling due to some barrel corrosion. I have not attempted to fire this, and not too sure if I should.

*The only pieces I see that have different numbers are the two bands and butt plate. The bands both have the same number.

Any opinions on whether to fire it or not?

Value?

[Armistice]

The Smithsonian is not going to be contacting you for your Mauser. Shoot away

*It's not matching if even one screw is the wrong number. Sorry

[pitfighter]

+1 Armistice.
It is a very solid action, avoid Turk ammo if you're nervous.

"Some barrel corrosion" - if you're not sure, get a second opinion from a gunsmith.

[43BMWR75]

OK, thanks guys. I was told it would be safe to fire, but may or may not be as accurate as it should due to corrosion in the barrel.

Next, on the hunt for 8mm ammunition.

[stevied]

If there's some corrosion it will be fine. Maybe not as accurate as it should be but it won't cause any harm. Shoot it.

[Foresight88]

Shoot that baby. Let her feel glory once again!

[BruinGuy]

I had a Mauser that had pitting in the grooves. It shot straight as an arrow.

Wear or damage at the muzzle will affect accuracy more but even then it ought to be safe to shoot...you'll just need some luck to hit anything beyond 100 yards or so.

[pitfighter]

OK - warning do not try this at home.

I bought a No.4 Lee Enfield here for $60.00 that was being sold because the barrel was going bad.
Maybe someone shot an old BP round in it or some of that Ballestite (BTW have you ever opened a round and seen those spaghetti sticks of explosive?)

I used a brass barrel brush on it, and let it soak in oil for a week or so, and then shot the hell out of it.

The bore is now fine and it is a very accurate rifle, actually one of my favorite shooters - whatever was in the barrel is gone.

Try the classifieds here for Yugo or Romanian 8mm - then any number of sites. Turk is usually cheapest, but it is so for a reason - honestly you should be able to shoot it in a K98 - I don't use it in my collectable rifles, because every so often you get a momentous blast that rattles the woodwork - and tightens the action, which always feels like a bad thing to me.

I also have a number of 8mm auto loaders, and a single bad Turk cartridge dropped in one of those could cost me a few thousand in repairs or replacement parts, not to mention an eye or finger.


Pit.

[Crunch130]

Try some US-made commercial 8 mm Mauser ammo. It's generally loaded weak (to allow for the lowest common denominator of an old GEW 88 with a .318 bore) but I have always gotten great accuracy from it.

Crunch

[NOTABIKER]

a few rounds down that barrel and another good cleaning would be good medicine for that mauser. have fun.

[43BMWR75]

Thanks guys. Just located some S&B ammo for this at a local gun shop. Will let you know how I do with it.