FR-8 Mauser caliber question....

[Archangel14]

Another poster (I think Henschman) started a nice thread on an FR-8 that he converted. Did a good job.

I too am interested in an FR-7 or 8, but am a bit skeptical because of the caliber. Can typical .308 be shot in such rifles, or are you stuck with the 7.62x51? I'm advised that the two cartridges do NOT have identical dimensions and that trying to shoot .308's through the FR-7 and 8 can likely result in damage or injury. I don't want to be stuck with a 7.62x51 rifle, as it appears simply impossible to get that ammo.

What's the reality here? Thanks!

 

[racenutz]

A FR8 being a large ring mauser can safely shoot any .308 that a modern rifle can. The FR7 and 1916 7.62 rifles are small ring actions. They were designed for a cartridge that has the same dimensions as .308 but much lower pressure.

 

[TurtlePhish]

racenutz is right. The FR-8 is good to go for any safe .308 load out there, the FR-7 is not.