I'm going to be picking up an old 8MM Mauser pretty soon. I'm thinking abut putting a new stock, mounting a scope, and refinishing the whole rifle. Where do people get parts and supplies to do that? Would it be worth it to do that? I also might want it rechambered, what are the possible calibers?
8MM Mauser questions
- Thread starter bjones870
- Start date
Not sure why you would want to rechamber a Mauser and do all that other work on it, unless you just have money to burn.
Personally, I got myself a very nice looking Yugo 24/47 and it is a tack driver.
Here are a couple of videos about it. [yes, I know they were not allies of Hitler]
Video One
Video Two
Personally, I got myself a very nice looking Yugo 24/47 and it is a tack driver.
Here are a couple of videos about it. [yes, I know they were not allies of Hitler]
Video One
Video Two
I picked up a few .308 large ring mauser barrels with great bores and front and rear sights for $50 each. I also picked up a VZ 24 and K98 for 100 each with no rifling left but which were otherwise complete. I'll refinish the stocks and reblue them with material I have on hand. For $300 I'll have 2 .308 mausers in Excellent re-arsenaled condition and all it will require is about 30 hours of my time which I usually value at $20-$30 per hour.
What a bargain!
OK, I'm doing it because I love guns and gun projects, not because it is cost effective.
I might drill and tap one of them and bend the bolt too.
What a bargain!
OK, I'm doing it because I love guns and gun projects, not because it is cost effective.
I might drill and tap one of them and bend the bolt too.
If you want to rechamber it then the common conversion are 8mm-06, which is the ballistic twin of the 338-06. You could also do the 8x63 Swede round if you use a 9.3x62 reamer on the chamber with an 8mm pilot (the 8x63 is a very powerful round, the Swedes put a muzzle brake on the Mausers that fired it).
If you open up the bolt face you could go to a classic European magnum, the 8x68S.
If you rebarrel, then you have more options.
Jimro
If you open up the bolt face you could go to a classic European magnum, the 8x68S.
If you rebarrel, then you have more options.
Jimro
sigshepardo
New member
.30-06 would be easy to rechamber in
Just for reference,
RECHAMBER means cutting a new chamber in an existing barrel. This does not change the bore size. You can go from a 30-30 and rechamber to a 308 Win, then rechamber to a 300 Win Mag with the same barrel.
REBARREL means you can actually change bore size by adding a new barrel.
You cannot "rechamber" an 8x57 to a 30-06, you have to rebarrel. You could rechamber 8x57 to 8mm-06 and then rechamber again to 8x63 Swede and then finally rechamber to 8x68S, but nothing you do to the chamber will shrink that bore from .323 to .308.
That is all.
Jimro
RECHAMBER means cutting a new chamber in an existing barrel. This does not change the bore size. You can go from a 30-30 and rechamber to a 308 Win, then rechamber to a 300 Win Mag with the same barrel.
REBARREL means you can actually change bore size by adding a new barrel.
You cannot "rechamber" an 8x57 to a 30-06, you have to rebarrel. You could rechamber 8x57 to 8mm-06 and then rechamber again to 8x63 Swede and then finally rechamber to 8x68S, but nothing you do to the chamber will shrink that bore from .323 to .308.
That is all.
Jimro
meatgrinder42
New member
8mm is a great round on it's own, I'd say if you get a rifle with a good bore just leave it be. Aftermarket stocks, sights, and such are pretty easy to find for Mausers.
Be aware that un-modified war souvenir bring back rifles are cherished by collectors. A collector may gladly pay $1000+ for the right rifle. That $1000 will pay for a brand new Remington, Winchester, Etc. with money to spare.
Know what you have before you start cutting. Once your Mauser is chopped up, it is worthless to a collector.
Know what you have before you start cutting. Once your Mauser is chopped up, it is worthless to a collector.
bjjones
I did all of that except the new barrel and it turned out great.
It shoots 1-2" @100yds with my handloads.
so here goes
Yugo M24/47 (rifle)- $100.00
timney trigger - $50.00
scope mnts & rings - $75.00
Pentax scope - $150.00
low mnt safety - $35.00
walnut sporter stock - $80.00
gunsmithing fees for drill & tap reciever,
cut & weld bolt handle, & fit low mnt safety - $175.00
total - $665.00 and 14 months later... was it worth it ? you ask ? for me YES cause I love to tinker with my mausers, I could have bought a Remchester or a Savage or Ruger, but whats the fun in that ? I am currently restoring a 1932 Spanish long rifle in 7x57mm. back to military spec!
as far as parts goes , just type in mauser parts or 98mauser parts in your browser and you'll see what comes up!
I did all of that except the new barrel and it turned out great.
It shoots 1-2" @100yds with my handloads.
so here goes
Yugo M24/47 (rifle)- $100.00
timney trigger - $50.00
scope mnts & rings - $75.00
Pentax scope - $150.00
low mnt safety - $35.00
walnut sporter stock - $80.00
gunsmithing fees for drill & tap reciever,
cut & weld bolt handle, & fit low mnt safety - $175.00
total - $665.00 and 14 months later... was it worth it ? you ask ? for me YES cause I love to tinker with my mausers, I could have bought a Remchester or a Savage or Ruger, but whats the fun in that ? I am currently restoring a 1932 Spanish long rifle in 7x57mm. back to military spec!
as far as parts goes , just type in mauser parts or 98mauser parts in your browser and you'll see what comes up!
Last edited:
sc928porsche
New member
If your bore is in good shape and headspace is good, then stay with the 8x57. If your headspace is too much, then by all means rechamber to 8mm-06.
If the bore isnt in good condition, then you can rebarrel to a lot of different calibers and cartridges.
If the bore isnt in good condition, then you can rebarrel to a lot of different calibers and cartridges.