New C&R rifle in 11 days: any tips?

J

jmstr

New member
Just put a Spanish FR-8 into the 10 day holding pattern in my state. However, day 10 is a Sunday, so 11 days before I can pick it up.

I've read a bit about them and like the looks and rep so far. I know it is a Mauser 98 action, with a Cetme 7.62Nato barrel/chamber.

I know to have the headspace checked.

What other tips do any of you have for me?

Thanks.
 
It's a 10 day waiting period, I use to live in California. Actually, it's so specific as to be 10 24 hour waiting periods to the minute.

1st Marine division, 3rd Marines
 
It's a "10 day cooling off period". The background check is instant, but California mandates the time period in the event you are purchasing the firearm with the specific intent of killing someone with it. They assume you will have a chance to cool off and change your mind.

Personally, I find it laughable as I already own many firearms, so the .17 varmint rifle I bought yesterday must wait for 10 days, in case I just really wanted a varmint rifle to commit murder.
 
The 10 day wait is a way for the anti-gunners to harass law abiding folks who already own a safe full of firearms.

A tip would be to clean the inside of the bolt. Look for YouTube videos for disassembly of a Mauser 98 bolt.It takes about 15 seconds to disassemble once you know how.
 
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As far as I understand it, you are really only supposed to shoot 7.62 NATO out of it and not commercial .308, as in the standard CETME.

Very interesting rifle. Let us know how it shoots
 
As far as I understand it, you are really only supposed to shoot 7.62 NATO out of it and not commercial .308, as in the standard CETME.
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FR8 is a Mauser 98 large ring action, plenty strong for .308.

The FR7 is based on the Mauser 93 small ring, designed for 7mm Mauser, and is marginal for .308.
 
I believe the Mod 43 was the parent action for the FR8 which makes it a LR 98 Mauser chambered in 7.62 and well equipped to handle 308 pressures as emcon5 mentioned.
I love mine BUT only shoot cast handloads... I'm a big wuss I know,,,;)
 
I left California in 1968 never to permanently return. Would go back to visit kin but they're all dead now so CA will never see my shadow again, if I can help it. ;) Back then the only waiting period was for handguns and it was three days. Within those three days the cops would come knocking on your door, prove you lived there and you could get your gun. The usually came by the evening of the first day and I could get it the next day after work. Kind of a PITA but not too onerous.
FWIW, I've seen the 1893 Mausers that were rebarreled for the 7.62 CETME round, exact same dimensions as the 7.62 NATO but loaded to much lower pressure. From wha I understand, the original CETME assault rifle couldn't handle the pressures of the 7.62 NATO, thus the lower powered ammo.
Paul B.
 
I think you will be happy with the FR-8, although the sights take a little getting used to.

I've got two FR-8's and my sons and I shoot in a monthly vintage military rifle silhouette match (220 to 550 yards). He usually shoots Swiss rifles and I a Persian or Argentine Mauser.

After the match one month we took turns pot-shotting the rams @ 550 yards with one of the FR-8's loaded with Australian 7.62 Nato ammo. He took down the two still-standing rams with three shots.
 
Thanks all!
Picked it up this week and finally got to inspect it yesterday. I'm happy.

There is a crack in the stock, but this was disclosed ahead of time and I've wanted one of these for 5 years. I've tracked down a replacement already, and will take my time to 'fix' the cracked one anyway, to have as a spare.

The rifle is a 'shooter', as the bolt and receiver #s don't match. Headspace seems fine though.

As a result, I am not concerned about mis-matching stocks- and they have no number I can find anyway.


Paul B., I checked your account and it seems partially correct- in that the original CETME was difficult for Spanish troops to control in full auto with full NATO rounds, so the round was downgraded for better firearm control.

None of the accounts indicate a mechanical problem with the gun, but a problem with controllability. [Isn't this why the M14 was kept in semiauto mode, and eventually helped make the case for the lighter 5.56 round in the M16?]

So, it doesn't appear a NATO 7.62 should be an issue. What I am confused on is if a .308Win can be fired safely also. I think so, but am unsure.

Oh well- I use 7.62Nato for my M1 Garand [Fulton Arms did the barrel, on a previously converted gun that used an insert- shudder], so it is a round I stock anyway.


I like the feel to it, and can't wait for the new stock so I can fix it and hit the outdoor range.

My bolt centerfires are all pre-1955, and all were military in origins.
  • 1954 Polish M-N M44 [original]
  • 1952 Spanish FR-8 [original]
  • 1942 Russian M-N 91/30 [original]
  • 1895 Chilean Mauser 7x57 [sporterized in 1950s, so I finished the job.]

I think I need a 1903 Springfield, but will get my great-grandpa's some day, so I'll be set there.
 
So, it doesn't appear a NATO 7.62 should be an issue. What I am confused on is if a .308Win can be fired safely also. I think so, but am unsure.
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IMO, .308W is not a problem in the FR-8. The large ring Mauser is a strong action and I've not had any problems with .308W in my FR-8's.

For that matter, I've got two .308W "target" barrel Mauser conversions...one a M24/47 Yugo and the other an '09 Argentine. Both are large ring Mausers of approximately the same type and strength as the FR-8.

Post some pics when you get a chance.
 
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