Mexican Mauser 98 Rifle 8X57 Question
I am considering buying the above rifle. My only concerns are the caution statements in my Reloading Books stating that the bore diameter should be designed for .323 dia. bullet and have .323 grooves. I understand that all commerical 8X57 ammo use this size bullet.. Apparently some early Mauser 98 Models used smaller diameter bullets at one time. I've never purchased a Mauser 98 before but most importantly I want a safe working rifle - and not a wall hanger. The rifle has been sporterized and looks in excellent condition. How does the Mexican 98 Mauser differ from other Mauser 98 Models? Is it equal to other Mauser 98's? What advice can you offer before I commit to buy the rifle that will help me make the right decision. I know there are a lot of knowledgable people on this forum when it comes to Mauser 98"s - please let me hear from you. I would really like to purchase this rifle - I just want to make sure I have all the information to make the right decision.
Thanks
John
jmknaut@juno.com
John in PA
Thanks
John
jmknaut@juno.com
John in PA
0
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According to my book, Mauser Military Rifles of the World by Ball, the 98 Mausers for Mexico were either made in Germany or in Mexico, and the actions are described as "well made and reliable." However, there was no 8mm made for the Mexican military. This means that your rifle was rechambered. Could you look for any and all writing and markings on the barrel and the receiver, and post these. This would let us know who reworked the gun. I am betting, that as a latter day rework, your rifle is designed for the modern 8mm cartridges. 0 -
to the best of my knowledge ALL mod. 98's were designed around the modern 8x57 cartridge. am i wrong here?
many were chambered in other calibers but all were mod. 98 recievers.i.e. three locking lugs.
barto
the hard stuff we do right away - the impossible takes a little longer0 -
Allen - Please check out my e-mail to you
Thanks
John
jmknaut@juno.com
John in PA0 -
Barto: According to my reference books - some early models were .318
As I said in my original post - I never purchased a Mauser 98 before so I know next to nothing about them. I just don't want to end up with a great looking rifle that I can't shoot. Allen is probably right in his thinking that since it was sporterized - its likely that it would have been rebored for the current .323 8mm bullet. I'm hoping he's right - I'd like to buy the gun.
Regards,
John
John in PA
jmknaut@juno.com0 -
Someone may correct me, but I believe that the only military mauser made with the .318 bore was the "1888" commission rifle. As stated above all the '98s had the .323 bore.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
MOST PRE WW1 M-98'S WERE BORED FOR THE .318 BULLET, MOST OF THOSE WERE REBARRELED FOR THE .323 BULLET, IF YOU HAVE A PRE WWI M-98 YOU SHOULD CHECK THE BARREL BEFORE SHOOTING IT. NO MEXICAN M-98'S WERE CHAMBERED FOR THE 8MM (TO MY KNOWLEDGE)ALL I HAVE SEEN WERE 7X57'S. THE MECICAN ACTION (M-1910) IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAT A STDANDARD M-98, THE BOLT IS SHORTER AND THE EXTRACTOR IS DIFFERENT. 0 -
Many thanks for the info guys - I really appreciate your help
John
John in PA
jmknaut@juno.com0 -
Didn't the .323 caliber come alomg in 1905? And prior to that the 8mm was .318.
AlleninAlaska
http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine0 -
Hi, capecod,
If you've got a copy of, or access to, the NRA book titled "Handloading", it has a good explanation of the progression of 8x57 bullet diameters and what to use in rifles chambered for this round. mikewiskey is pretty much on the money.
OleDuk0 -
Thanks to all of you - I really appreciate all the feedback. I purchased the rifle yesterday and the dealer confirmed it was a Mexican 98 Mauser - sporterized with a barrel stamped 8X57.
Thanks again for your help!
John
John in PA
jmknaut@juno.com0
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