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chinese mauser- what caliber?

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10 comments

  • rsnyder55
    Another option is to do a chamber cast. I believe you can get the material from Brownells. It is call Cerrosafe and it runs around $30 I believe.
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  • non mortuus
    7.92x57mm = 8mm mauser

    If in doubt have a gunsmith slug the bore and/or do a camber casing (or do it yourself if so inclined).
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  • rufe-snow
    Some of the old Chinese Mausers were reworked for the 7.62 x 39 cartridge. You might have one of them. Just for S & G see if a 7.62 X 39 will chamber. Be extremely careful, do it out side, in a safe place with a backstop that can't be penetrated by a 7.62 X 39 round.
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  • jonk
    Chinese-made Chinese Mausers aren't exactly the be all and end all of fit and quality control.

    If an 8mm bullet is loose in the muzzle, doubtful that it is 7.62X39; that would probably fall right through.

    My vote goes to 8mm with a shoddy chamber cut. Fortunately a smith should be able to chase a finishing reamer in and clean it up for you.

    I'd hesitate to shoot full power loads in this as the metallurgy of the chinese made rifles ranges from excellant to pretty poor, depending on where and when made.
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  • Hangfire
    Hi Redman~

    Sounds to me like you might have Siamese mauser chambered in 45/70..A bunch were around in the '60's, and I think Gibbs chambered a few..Best you take it to a shop or do a chamber cast.!!!
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  • redman.com1
    thing is, that this gun has been used and shot. rifling is a little dark, but not bad at all. any gun that is rechambered is usually marked. and as far as quality goes, this one ranks with the 98'S. ive tried 8mm, 7.62x39,7.3 carcano 30.06,. like i said gun has been shot and no signs of rechambering. i guess ill have to pour a mold or sell parts. the last one i had , had a pristine bore and a loose muzzle, but did at least chamber and fire 8mm rounds, but tumbled like crazy. i guess with chinese stuff, you never know what you got?
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  • beantownshootah
    As mentioned the technically correct name for the round most Americans call "8mm Mauser" is actually 7.92x57. The two are the exact same thing.

    Now, in terms of bore diameter, nominally, an 8mm Mauser bullet should be .323" wide. A 7.62x39mm bullet should be .312" wide.

    So if an 8mm bullet is loose, a 7.62x39 bullet should be REALLY loose.

    In terms of what you have, in the mid 1930s, the Chinese started making a direct knockoff of the standard German 8mm Mauser rifle. This is the gun called the "Chang Kai Shek" rifle.

    The quality on these was all over the place depending on when they were made and where, with some being excellent, and some being absolutely shoddy.

    I agree with Jonk. You probably just have a sloppily built one, and given the rust you describe, who knows how its been treated in the last 70 years. These guns were mostly used pretty hard, and it wouldn't at all surprise me if the bore were worn out. How does it look when you shine a light in there?

    Edit: OK, I posted this only a few seconds after you posted that last response. Is the barrel crown OK?

    Also, for what its worth, the double diamond logo you describe means the gun was probably built at the Kung Hsien arsenal in Honan. Does this look familiar (scroll down)?

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=148027480#PIC
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  • redman.com1
    cant be a 45/70. that too would never fit in the chamber. havnt tried 7mm yet?
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  • jonk
    quote:Originally posted by redman.com1
    cant be a 45/70. that too would never fit in the chamber. havnt tried 7mm yet?
    The shoulder on the 7 and 8 are in about the same place. If the 8 won't go neither will the 7, again assuming an 8mm bore.
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  • babun
    I"m confused....you said you shot it at the range......and check it..a 8mm shell won't fit the chamber...... What did you shoot out of it???
    It is very foolish to shoot any gun without KNOWING what its chambered for. Take it to a gunsmith before you end up having to remove it's bolt
    from where your right eye used to be. Bob
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