Bolt "battle rifle"

[henschman]

Addressing the issue of the strength of the FR-8... it is a K98 for crying out loud. There isn't a factory .308 load in existence that could blow it up. That action has been chambered for many cartridges that are much, much more powerful than any .308 load out there.

And it does not require "FR-8 specific stripper clips" -- like any K98, it takes 8mm Mauser size stripper clips, which fit .308s just like they were made for them, and if anything are probably more common than 7.62 NATO stripper clips.

 

[Cosmoline]

There are also the Israeli Mausers in 7.62 NATO. They're tough '98 pattern and can shoot .308 Win. But the down side is many have shot-out barrels so a hand inspection is needed. Or a replacement barrel. I've got one that shoots pie plates, haven't decided what to do with it yet.

 

[mickeydim468]

This rifle is a US model of 1917, made in September of 1918. It was badly sporterized when I got it and I went full tilt and really sporterized it the rest of the way. I paid $165 for the rifle at a gun show about 3 years ago, spent $100 on the stock (Richard's Microfit and a lot of time), and paid a smith $150 to shorten the barrel and add the sights. I planed the receiver myself with a 6" table top grinding wheel. "Be very careful!" was the only thing on my mind that day. The overall length is 1/2" longer than my Marlin 60, from butt to muzzle, and LOP is exactly the same as is the overall stock length, butt to for-end tip.

This is what it looked like when I got it:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LQ8wqCXG7ErSz32fxpUMNNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

This is what it looks like now:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h7_UE8ixrdYxW7PWbJHo_dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Here is a link to the entire progression:
My 1917 project

I did the final planing of the action after these pics were taken. I can take more pics of it if anyone is interested.

Mike!

 

[Mencius]

Wow, that is a transformation. I don't have nearly the skill to do something like that. Thanks for posting these.

 

[mickeydim468]

This was my third project stock for my rifles. I saved it for last, because I was not exactly sure I could do it either. I did both of my Weatherby Vangards first, that way if I screwed them up, I knew I still had an operational rifle. There was nothing wrong with the stock I took off of them. Also, the Richard's stocks are 99% inletted for the Weatherby and only 96% for the 1917. Believe me, that 3% was lots of extra work, but well worth the time and effort.

I am convinced that anyone can do it. If I can do it, anyone can. Just take your time, don't rush things, and take off a little bit at a time. The internet is your friend on one of these projects. The people here on THR were very helpful as were the people on http://Weatherbynation.com The best part is knowing you put a lot of love into your rifle and now I can never sell it. It will be passed down to my daughter, who will hunt with it too when she gets older.

I didn't show you these pics to brag. I hope no one got that impression. I did it to show you that you can have the rifle you want on a very limited budget. This is my second most accurate rifle in the safe too! Only my Weatherby Vangard in .243 is more accurate. It came that way from the factory. .28" target from the factory and I got .31" with reloads at 100yds.

I hope your rifle search is a good one and that you find what you really want. I will say that the military rifles I have owned have all been fun for different reasons. All of them to date have been bolt action. This 1917 is my favorite of the bunch even with its pot belly (6 rounds) and cock on closing action.

Mike!

 

[Slamfire]

I am of the opinion that a No 4 or No 5 Jungle Carbine is the best stock box battle bolt rifle out there.

Then Mauser actions.

For highest function reliablity it is best to leave these military actions in their original calibers.

 

[dprice3844444]

best bet is an enfield #4mk2.trigger is part of the receiver.it is the fastest bolt gun ever built.a savage built us property one is built in america,would be my first choice after the #4mk2.although i do have a #4mk1 t (less scope)and a like new savage along ith the golden state #5mk1 carbines.

 

[Mencius]

Yeah, I had kinda thought converting to a different caliber than the original manufacture would make it, maybe only slightly, less reliable and bullet proof.

 

[VVelox]

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.

Actually Spain started making them in the 1950s. Mine was made in 1952.

 

[VVelox]

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.

Here is a picture of one of the cleaning kits for one.

 

[35 Whelen]

Yeah, this is the idea. Man, you guys are coming up with some great ideas. Makes me think I need 4 or 5 of these, just in case ya see...

I do like the Ruger Scout too, they are just too expensive. I think I could get one of the others and half a case of ammo for the same price.

One more quick question about 308 win and modern 30-06 in these rifles. I know (think?) the FR8 was made with a stronger action, will it handle the modern loads? How about the 2A1? Enfields? Hmm...

I second the FR-8. I bought one back in the '90's and modified it just a little. Everything on it, including the stock, is original except of course for the sights:











Even left as-is, it'd probably be fine. I just found it to be a little clunky with the kind of crude sights and the straight bolt handle. I have in years past absolutely wrung this rifle out with hot handloads and the rifle is still in perfect shape. It is now a Scout rifle and I now shoot "normal" handloads through it. That little rifle has literally killed a truck load of deer and hogs and it is hands down my most used rifle.

With regards to action strength the FR-8 and the FR-7 BOTH are chambered in .308/7.62x51 and as such are supposed to be fired with said ammunition. Lots of folks will repeat internet B.S. folklore that's been regurgitated over and over regarding these rifles and their use with .308/7.62x51 ammunition.

A couple of years ago I bought a Spanish 1916 Mauser in .308 as the basis for a Scout rifle for my wife. I pretty much did to it what I did to the FR-8 except I used what I'd learned with the former and did a few things different. It has a little longer barrel and I mounted a much more rugged and practical front sight off and M-1 carbine. I also finished the stock with a linseed oil/turpentine blend.



At one time I owned three of the Ishapores in .308 thinking I'd work them over into utility rifles. I like the rifles very well, but the one thing that stopped me was their pencil-thin barrels....at least out towards the muzzle. My experience with really thin barrels is the need to be supported out near the muzzle which means means in the case of a wood stocked rifle, you'll likely experience a driftling point of impact as changin atmospheric conditions cause the stock to bend lightly.

Good luck in your choice.

35W

 

[csa77]

if money is no object there are other 308 Enfields. they are the last of the Enfield series featuring cock on close and rear lugged. they arnt cheap but they all should be very accurate

L42A1 used as a sniper rifle for the British army form I believe the early 70's to around 1990. this one was fielded in Falklands war , probably other conflicts too.

the L39a1 used by military shooting teams-one on gun broker right now actually

and the enfield enforcer , while not used by the military they were almost identical to the L39/L42. used by British police .

 

[I6turbo]

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?

I have a 7.92x57 military Mauser and really appreciate the history and fundamental workmanship in the gun. I love to take it out of the safe and handle it. But for a more modern true Mauser in .308 (or 30-06 or several other calibers), I really love the CZ 550 (FS model is my preference). It has a similar ultra-strong feel to the military Mauser actions, has a fantastic single set trigger, and is a very satisfying gun to shoot. You can sometimes pick up a perfect used one on GB for a good deal, and there's always the new option.

 

[Jenrick]

I'd vote for an SMLE personally, and if you're not dead set on .308, one in .303 british will do all the .308 can and more. Additionally the tapered shaped of the .303 British, means it will feed and extract unless there is something seriously wrong with the cartridge (coated in mud, etc). The SMLE was designed as a battle rifle, and the action served in that capacity well past the end of the second WW. It is IMO one of the greatest rifle actions available.

-Jenrick

 

[lefteyedom]

The SMLE In a jungle carbine configuration would be my bolt action choose...

But to chum the waters, skip the Bolt action and get a CMP M1. in 30/06...can bet the price for the quality of the weapon

 

[henschman]

If you want a synthetic stock, there are plenty of after-market options for the K98 pattern. I recently bought a Fajen synthetic stock for my FR-8 for about $60. It is the F-54 profile. It requires a little dremeling to fit the barrel profile of the FR-8 (especially like mine with the XS scout mount) but it is a great stock... very stiff, and it allows me to drill wherever I want to add side sling swivels and whatnot without messing up the nice surplus wood stock. Plus the butt stock is hollow, and works as additional storage space in addition to the little cleaning kit compartment under the barrel.

I have the rifle all disassembled right now with the front sight assembly removed (which I had to do in order to install the XS mount), but I will post pics when she is all back together.

Actually Spain started making them in the 1950s. Mine was made in 1952.

The date on the receiver is the date the M1943 rifle was made in it's original (8mm) configuration. They were converted to FR-8 configuration in the 60s.