116yrs old and holds a group!

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MaMa PyCb

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GLEE!

My 1890 88 commission rifle holds a prety darn good group at 100yrds!
range.jpg

And looks good while doing it!
range1.jpg

Maybe if I get some sleep next time I can bring it in tighter, I had a rought night last night when I came to trying to sleep!
 
I shoot Black Powder Cartridge Rifle metallic silhouette and mid-range with an 1899 Winchester Single Shot. Last load I tested shot 5 into 1.3" at 100. Not that I hit that well at 500 metres, but still...

There may be faster firing rifles cheaper to build, but the old ones still work as well as they ever did. Probably better, bullets seem to have improved more than barrels.
 
Nice Job!

What kind of ammo, MaMa? Anyone know if this "Olympic" brand 8mm I have on hand is safe to shoot in a Commission Rifle Gew 88?
 
I can't document but strongly suspect Olympic 8mm Mauser ammo is .323" S bore. It is listed as a 180 grain FMJ at 2788 fps, which is way more than 8x57J for the '88.
 
It's neither.

It's a Gewehr 88, which is also known commonly as the '88 Commission Rifle. It was neither a Mauser nor a Mannlicher, but combined features of both. (Mannlicher box magazine, Mauser 1871/1874 receiver/bolt) The rifle is unique in having a full-length metal barrel shroud.

It did introduce the 7.92x57 (8mm) Mauser cartridge to the world, albeit an early version with a .318" diameter roundnosed bullet.

Many of the '88 Commission rifles were later throated to accept the improved .323" 8x57JS ammunition, and have relief cuts in the receiver ring to accomodate the longer spitzer bullets. They may also have stripper clip guides brazed to the receiver, and the Mannlicher clip ejection slot covered with a permanent floorplate.

The remaining '88 Commission rifles are the reason domestic American 8mm Mauser ammo is loaded so weakly compared to European manufactured fodder.

It's great to see one in good condition still being fired and enjoyed!
 
Remmingtons 8mm Mauser is actually a .319 bullet. It can be used in the 88's just fine, thats what I was useing. Your right thats a 88 commision rifle, not quite a mauser, not quite a styer, not quite a mosin!:p
 
That looks good, my Model '91 Argentine shoots consistant .85-1" 3 shot groups at 100 yards to this day. It had a peep sight added when it was sporterized in the 1950's though.
1891mauser.jpg
 
those ancient sniper rifles will ruin us! think of the misguided children who'll use them for drive-bys!
Click to expand...

I know...especially since they can be mailed to your door with no license or background check, being pre-98. "Screw dat whack Glock yo. I gots me a phat gat, Gew-ehr 88 rifle; talkin 8 mil yo."

Thanks, Jim Watson! My 88 DOES have the "S" mark on the barrel. But I think this means that it is .321 instead of .318, but NOT .323, and not as strong as one probably needs for a hot load. That Olympic sounds a might too hot to try it in a sober state.
 
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