[SADshooter]

I've wanted a bolt-action "beater/truck rifle" for a while. Something compact, rugged, and without ammunition availability issues (will eat the existing 7.62 inventory for the M1A nicely). Had decided on the FR-8 based on comments at TFL. Found one (three, actually) at this weekend's SAXET show in San Antonio. The stock is dingy, and I couldn't check the bore, but exterior finish was OK and verything seemed mechanically sound.

The seller indicated that 8mm stripper clips work well. True?

Anyway, nothing special, just wanted to share.

[Marko Kloos]

8mm stripper clips work just fine with the FR-8.

Congratulations on your purchase. The FR-8 is the world's only bolt-action assault rifle. They are fun to shoot, and they just look plain cool.

I have one which pulled trunk gun duty for a while before I realized that it was too good-looking, and my most valuable bolt gun to boot. Now it's in the gun closet, and I take it out for the occasional range session. They make great scout and brush rifles thanks to the short barrel, and the FR-8 has CETME sights, which are much superior to the old-style Mauser notch sights.

[SADshooter]

lendringser:

Thanks! You were among the owners whose praise steered me toward the rifle. What is your experience re: ammo pressure concerns? I wouldn't have any problem restricting the rifle to NATO spec. loads, but is there really potential danger in shooting commercial .308 Win.?

[T.Stahl]

I considered buying an FR8 for some time. I was looking for a cheap mil-surplus bolt action, favourably in .308/7.62x51. Unfortunately they have become a bit scarce on this side of the Atlantic.

But Lendringser, how can an FR8 be more assault-rifleish than an Enfield No.4? ;) Only due to its sights and caliber?

[Ullr]

Congrats. I wish I'd never sold mine. :( They're very handy, though you might be shopping around for a soft-rubber butt pad after taking it to the range. Recoil was... firm. ;)

[Tamara]

Good choice! I love mine... :cool:

I wouldn't go looking for any Hornady Light Magnum loads to shoot through it, and I'd keep an eye on the headspace if any extensive commercial .308 usage happened, but it's a lot cheaper to do your plinking with 7.62 NATO milsurp anyway. Besides, what else are you going to shoot that icky, dirty CAVIM stuff through? :D

[SADshooter]

All good points, Tamara, thanks. This rifle may get pressed into service for pest control/wild pork harvesting. Commercial hunting bullets may have application in that role. I don't handload, and I'm not the "must have biggest, baddest boom" type, so I suppose I'll be alright.

I've officially made that circular evolution from expensive EBR I'm afraid to damage to inexpensive rugged toy. Whoopeee!!!:cool:

[Marko Kloos]

But Lendringser, how can an FR8 be more assault-rifleish than an Enfield No.4? Only due to its sights and caliber?

It's the inverted CETME barrel, of course. What other bolt-action rifle has a NATO STANAG flash hider and can launch rifle grenades? :D

What is your experience re: ammo pressure concerns?

I've used surplus ammo (CAVIM), and commercial .308 Winchester, and I have yet to eat a bolt. The FR-8 rifles were all fitted with CETME-C barrels, which were always used with nothing but full-power 7.62x51mm NATO.

In the 1950s, the Spanish used the 7.62x51mm CETME in their CETME-A or CETME-B rifles, which was a lower-powered round strictly for full-auto controllability purposes. By the time the FR-8s were converted, in 1965, the Spanish had abandoned the 7.62mm CETME and were using full-powered NATO ammo. So, I believe that the FR-8 was intended from the start to shoot regular 7.62x51mm NATO ammo.

[Gewehr98]

No different than the Israeli 98K Mausers rebarreled to 7.62mm NATO. Plenty strong, large-ring 98 Mauser action with 3rd safety locking lug.

Now, if it's an FR-7, you have a valid concern. That started life as a small-ring Spanish Mauser, with two locking lugs, intended for the lower pressure 7x57 Mauser round. When rebarreled by the Spanish, they were chambered for the lower-pressure 7.62mm CETME round.

Somewhere on the Web a while ago there were some pretty good pictures of a FR-7 that let go when fed .308 Winchester. :(

[zxc]

Good for you-Im also looking at these rifles; havent seen one here in FL yet-range report?

[SADshooter]

zxc:

As soon as I get it clean and checked over I've got some Radway Green which will make its acquaintance, and I'll follow up.

Meantime, are 8mm stripper clips available sans ammo (which I don't need)? I can't find clips on obvious surplus sites. Alternately, will 7.62x54 clips work? Where can I find clips and bandoliers on the web?

Thanks.

[Dave P]

Are the fr-8's available c&r?

[Capt Teach]

For stripper clips you can check out http://sportsmansguide.com/
Go to surplus or shooting and search for clips. They're a little pricey, but they're usually new. If your not in a hurry you can check the local gunshows.
Don't get too frustrated if you have trouble loading the clips, working the action, or with feeding. They went a little overboard with the parkerizing on these babies so they take a while to break in. (or you can polish it up a bit before you head to the range.)
Safe shooting

Capt Teach

[Oleg Volk]

Turkish brass clips for 8mm work better than dedicated 308 clips, in my experience. If you like, PM me with address and I'll mail you a bunch (I bought extra Turkish ammo just for the clips).

[cslinger]

There must be some good deed smog in the air here or something.

I just sent him a few 8mm stripper clips and then Oleg offers.

As long as the good deeds are a coming.....anybody wanna send me a P225:D

Chris

[SADshooter]

Gun people are awesome. I didn't want to put cslinger on the spot, but he very generously mailed me a pile of stripper clips. Thank you, Oleg, for the offer. Support like this keeps us going through the dark times.:)

I just wish I could get out and shoot the rifle. :mad: Frustrating. First I have to clean and safety check it(I'm in Austin, its in Houston), which, between work and relocating, who knows when that'll happen, then try one of the ranges members have suggested. Sheesh! It may not burp fire until March.:eek: