8mm Rifle questions.

[EvilOmega]

I have had a hankering for a centerfire rifle to keep my .22 company for a while now, and as I have a birthday coming up in a couple of months I began poking about for good cheap rifles. When I looked at the rifles on the AIM site (thanks to recommends from this forum) I saw two good looking prospects. The Yugoslavian Model 24/47 8mm Mauser for $109.95 and the Czech VZ24 8mm Mauser for $159.95, but I have a few questions.

It is my understanding that both of these rifles are essentially K98 rifles built by different governments. Is this correct?

What are the differences in these guns, witch one would you recommend?

And what king of accuracy can I expect from them?

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[critter]

On a military surplus rifle (and you are looking at 2 good choices), the condition of the actual gun will be very much more important than the actual model of the gun.

Another really good choice is the Yugo Model 48 or 48A. These are M98's (with a 1/4" shorter action-of no real consequence to a shooter) many of which can be had for under 2 bills in NEW condition! I have 2 and they are absolutely sweet guns and fantastic shooters. Neither cost me over $150.

Hard to go wrong with a Mauser M98 of any flavor in good condition. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Mesa]

I have a stack-o-Mausers, (literally!). About 30 in all. I have basically one of every Model I have stumbled across. Out of ALL of the K98's, M-48's et., the best shooting, most accurate Mauser I own (excepting my Swedish 6.5mm) is a VERY beat, nasty bore, dragged behind the pickup on the way to the range, VZ-24. I paid a whopping $69 for it and it really looks like hell. I've yet to get the bore to look anything resembling shiny. There is no finish on it, and the stock looks like somebody used it for a club. However, you should see the faces on people at the range when I put 5 of 5 rounds into a steel target (about 20w x 30t) at 500 yards with open sights. That ain't off a bench either! That's sitting on the ground. I'm not that great of a shot by any means. The gun just seems to shoot itself. I use Turkish surplus ammo ($5 for 70 rd bandolier). I can't hit 5 of 5 EVERY time, but I can do it often enough to put a big big grin on my face and make the RO grin, shake his head and say, "I hate a showoff!".

Oddly, I have trouble at 400 yards, but the targets there are/were narrower at that range until recently. I haven't had a chance to try the new larger targets yet.

Mesa

 

[TimRB]

FWIW, I just this week received a VZ24 from AIM. I haven't fired it yet, but visually it's in gorgeous shape. The bluing is, in my judgement (?) well over 90 percent, and the wood is outstanding, with only a few very minor dings and scratches. I'm not going to bother refinishing it; I'll just clean it up and head for the range. The bore is not shiny, but it is still in good shape with very nice rifling and no pitting that I can see. The stock and receiver serial numbers match, but the bolt number was electro-penciled on (and right on top of the handle, where it stands out like a sore thumb).

On the other hand, the accessories that came with it are a little disappointing, so if you can find another nice one somewhere else for fifty bucks or so less, it might be worth considering.

Tim

 

[dogngun]

The M 48's mentioned by critter are a really good choice - a NEW bolt action Mauser military rifle is a real find. They are so new they are a little stiff - they need to be shot in for a while before they develop the smooth Mauser action.
The VZ 24's that I have seem recently are beautiful examples of craftsmanship, maybe little worn but still fine, useful rifles.

They are cheap now - get one of each.

Mark