Worth it to re-barrel 8mm Mauser?

[invictus]

I have several 8mm Mauser miltary rifles. I like them, The actions are strong and reliable. I'd like to convert one to .308. Does anyone here think it's worth the cost to buy a .308 barrel and swap it out with the 8mm? Has anyone here ever tried this? By the way -the intended candidate for the swap-out will not be a German WW2 collectible -rather a less-expensive Turkish or Czech-made model.

 

[BlkPny]

Most of the pre-war Czech Mauser actions made at the Brno factory are excellent, proably better than many of the German-made actions from some of the lesser-known factories. If your action is a VZ-24 made prior to 1943, you have a gem. If it is marked VZ-33, you should immediately send it to me.

I'm not a big fan of the Turkish models, unless it was made at Mauser (BYF) or in Berlin (DWM).

Any good Mauser action is a great candidate for rebarelling. They will accept just about any modern cartridge, as long as you don't have to open the action up to accept a huge case, like a .416 Rigby. Other than that, go for it.

 

[xmid]

What is the purpose of the rebarrel? Tack driver? Hunting? Just something new?

 

[insanebikerboy]

Piggybacking on BlkPny, I'd say go for it just for the fun of shooting. Hell, shooting is just like throwing quarters out your window anyways, so what a few more for the rebarrel?
Plus, those old Mausers are fun to shoot, just have a *good* gunsmith check out the action for age/stress failures. Not too too common, but better safe than sorry if your rebarreling.

 

[Skeet]

I have to add... you must have alot of money. There is no reason to do this. You might as well throw dollars.

 

[BlkPny]

I have to add... you must have alot of money. There is no reason to do this. You might as well throw dollars.

I disagree. With the possible exception of the pre-1964 Winchester model 70, there is no safer, stronger, and more reliable bolt action made than a good Mauser model 98.

There is no "reason" for most of our firearms. It will be relatively inexpensive
to rebarrel a good action, and you will have a really personal rifle. Do it for the fun of it.

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

I have to add... you must have alot of money. There is no reason to do this. You might as well throw dollars.

Why would you say that? .308 IS a more accurate cartridge with similar ballistics. Id go .270 or 06 if it were me but it's dealers choice, nothing wrong with a .308.

 

[LowWingLoad]

Mauser Hogue Stock

I have a K98 8mm Mauser which I am contemplating changing out the wood stock to the Hogue overmolded rubber stock.

Does anyone have an experience with this such as fit, shimming, overall look and feel.

I have seen everything Hogue has on it but was wondering if anyone happens to have some first hand experience.

Thanks.

 

[C420sailor]

Similar ballistics really? I don't know much about 8mm except that it kicks like a mule. And it's pretty cheap. For that reason alone I'd keep it 8mm. Put the cash toward another rifle in .308

 

[airmanwilliams]

do you just need the barrel to complete this.

im new to the whole gun world but looking at getting a turkish 8mm mauser and want to do the same thing. Is it just swaping the barrels all that is needed to make it a .308 mauser?

 

[Pugs]

im new to the whole gun world but looking at getting a turkish 8mm mauser and want to do the same thing. Is it just swaping the barrels all that is needed to make it a .308 mauser?

Essentially yes but the new barrel needs to be chambered and headspaced correctly. It's a job for a gunsmith unless you're an experienced gun tinkerer and your Dad's a TV repair man with an awesome set of tools.