Bolt "battle rifle"

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Mencius

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I am looking to get a reliable bolt-action rifle in 308 or 30-06. I want reliability first and accuracy next (sort of the AK philosophy I guess). The two guns I am considering at the moment are the Belgian or Brazilian(?) mauser action in 30-06 or an enfield 2A1 in 308. I lean a little toward the 308 at the moment as far as caliber, but I like the simplicity of the mauser action. I don't want to have to re-chamber.

I have considered just getting a hunting rifle out of the paper, but would rather have a military gun I think. The military rifles seem more reliable and hardier and easier to find with iron sights.

I am pretty open to any suggestions, the two above are just my first thoughts on the subject.

And no, I don't shoot 1000 yards...

Any thoughts?
 
What is your price range? Maybe something like a M1903A3 Springfield, but they aren't cheap. They make reproductions, but they are fairly expensive too. It is basically a mauser action, and the US govt got sued for copyright infringement of the mauser.
 
An FR-8 meets that role perfectly. 7.62x51, K98 action, adjustable aperture sights, nice and handy with the 17.75" barrel. It even has a threaded muzzle and flash hider. Another benefit of the mil surps over commercial hunting rifles is that they feed from stripper clips.

FR81.jpg
FR82.jpg
 
Bolt Battle Rifle

Have you looked into the Fin. Model M-39 Mosen Nagant.
You will get boath of the things that you are looking for.
D Rat
 
I was hoping to stay <$500, but I don't have a great feel for how much I would have to spend to get something that meets my criteria.

The FR-8 looks like a great idea. I will definitely have to look around and see what I can come up with. They look to be pretty inexpensive too. How are they, quality wise?

I don't really want to get anything in the x54R round.
 
I don't really want to get anything in the x54R round.

I've recently considered a military bolt rifle, also. Hadn't gotten too far in my deliberations yet, but the Mosin came to mind strictly due to cost of ammo. .308 and 30-06 aren't exactly cheap anymore.
 
Yeah, the mosin is definitely a thought as far as an inexpensive rifle and inexpensive ammo. I am just too vested in 308 and, to a lesser degree, 30-06. I just don't want to have to pick up another caliber. And, the prevalence of corrosive x54 bothers me. I know, I know, you just have to clean up afterward and there is non-corrosive out there, but I don't want to have to worry about it.
 
I am looking to get a reliable bolt-action rifle in 308 or 30-06. I want reliability first and accuracy next (sort of the AK philosophy I guess). The two guns I am considering at the moment are the Belgian or Brazilian(?) mauser action in 30-06 or an enfield 2A1 in 308. I lean a little toward the 308 at the moment as far as caliber, but I like the simplicity of the mauser action. I don't want to have to re-chamber.

I have considered just getting a hunting rifle out of the paper, but would rather have a military gun I think. The military rifles seem more reliable and hardier and easier to find with iron sights.

I am pretty open to any suggestions, the two above are just my first thoughts on the subject.

And no, I don't shoot 1000 yards...

Any thoughts?
You are right, Enfield makes a good build platform................
 
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The FR-8 looks like a great idea. I will definitely have to look around and see what I can come up with. They look to be pretty inexpensive too. How are they, quality wise?

A hell of a lot better than an Ishapore 2A (or anything else made in India for that matter). Spanish Mausers are pretty well regarded. They are kind of middle of the road as far as Mausers go. They are no German or Swede, but then again they are no Turk or Yugo either. The FR-8's were converted from M1943 Mausers in the 1960s, after Spain joined NATO, so they tend to be in better shape than most Mausers you see out there. You can definitely get a decent one in your price range. I found mine for $260, but that was pretty lucky. You can find a nice one for $350-400 no problem. Just hit Armslist and Gunbroker.
 
I've always wondered-what is the purpose of that thing under the FR-8 barrel? Stabilizer or something? Obviously isn't a gas system, but resembles one of an M14.
 
I have considered just getting a hunting rifle out of the paper, but would rather have a military gun I think. The military rifles seem more reliable and hardier and easier to find with iron sights.

Military surplus rifles just aren't my thing. Nothing against them, they just don't appeal to me. If you are considering a hunting rifle I'd look at one of the CRF Rugers or Winchesters. Those two would likely be just as rugged and reliable as any of the military bolt guns,but with some modern features. I don't think it would be possible for under $500 though. A used Ruger might be right at $500, but after adding irons it would put you over budget.

Adding iron sights to a modern gun is not that difficult or expensive. You can very easily end up with very high quality irons that would be better quality than factory or military grade sights for a lot less than a budget scope and mounts.

Not trying to talk you out of one of the military rifles, just pointing out other options, and the route that I would take.
 
If buying mon-military, the Ruger "American" rifle is about $365 new at Walmart.
 
I have an FR-8 as well; used to have an FR-7.

Just remember that you should NOT shoot .308win out of a pre-98 Mauser action. The FR's and Spanish Model of 1916 was chambered for 7.62 CETME.

When you see "Spanish Mauser chambered in .308win" it's generally because of the ignorance of the author. Generally speaking, it's a very minor issue that doesn't matter...unless you're shooting .308win 62K PSI loads in a small ring action like the FR-7 or Model of 1916 Spanish Mauser that were chambered for 40K PSI 7.62 CETME ammo. Metallurgy back then wasn't super either...

ETA: you should read up on shooting .308 Enfields in the rain too....
 
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OR, just buy a savage and be done with it.....
for close to the same money you will get a new rifle

it will out shoot you, won't be a crap shoot on condition etc.
 
The Savage or Ruger American are OK, and accurate rifles for the money but the OP specifically said.

I like the simplicity of the mauser action.

He wants something dead nuts reliable that can take abuse and still work under the harshest conditions. That means traditional CRF Mauser or Mauser style actions with all steel parts found only on the miltary rifles, the Ruger MK-II's, Hawkeye's, various commercial Mausers, and CRF Winchesters.
 
A hell of a lot better than an Ishapore 2A (or anything else made in India for that matter). Spanish Mausers are pretty well regarded. They are kind of middle of the road as far as Mausers go. They are no German or Swede, but then again they are no Turk or Yugo either. The FR-8's were converted from M1943 Mausers in the 1960s, after Spain joined NATO, so they tend to be in better shape than most Mausers you see out there. You can definitely get a decent one in your price range. I found mine for $260, but that was pretty lucky. You can find a nice one for $350-400 no problem. Just hit Armslist and Gunbroker.


Having owned both, here's my take:

2A1 :
Any Nato 7.62 clips fit, 12 round mag ( IIRC ).
Dedicated short action specifically built for the 7.62x51, butter smooth.
Mine was very accurate.
Downside being length and weight.

FR8:
Only FR8 specific clips will fit, 5 round mag.
Converted 8mm action with spacer in front of magazine.
Shorter, lighter package, but you pay for that with more felt recoil
Better sights than the Enfield

I'm left handed...( :eek: )...between the two, the Enfield was MUCH easier for me to manipulate, that said, the FR8 wins on "cool" factor.

IMG_6107.gif

I used the Enfield to take 1st place in the "manually operated" class at our local Practical Rifle "Classic Battle Rifle" match a couple of years ago:


IMG_5370Medium.gif


I don't think you can go wrong with either, but as someone above suggested...a Savage 110 or 10FP might be a better long term option...sky's the limit with option for optics, stocks, mags, ect....
 
This is just to clarify that the Spanish FR8 has the much stronger large-ring 8mm Mauser action, compared to the much older, weaker, small-ring 7mm action of the FR7. Many people on milsurp forums appear to assume that the guns are about the same, based on the appearance and designations.
Not at all.

Many also assume that the Spanish Nato ammo was designed for the FR8. This was not the situation.
It was designed to be weaker than standard Nato 7.62x51, and to be used in the old Spanish 7mm Mausers converted to 7.62 Nato-some of which became the FR7.

As for sights, the typical Enfield #4/Mk.1, which is very common in the US has aperture sights, although three of the four settings on the FR8 (200/300/400) are also apertures.
My FR8s are sort of like having "Jungle Carbines" with more muzzle velocity, using ammo which is much more available and can use a much wider selection of bullets.
 
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I've always wondered-what is the purpose of that thing under the FR-8 barrel? Stabilizer or something? Obviously isn't a gas system, but resembles one of an M14.
They basically took the front end of a CETME and flipped it upside down. On the CETME that would be the gas tube. The two rifles were produced concurrently.
 
Within those given parameters, a Smelly (SMLE) would really fit the bill.
 
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