FR-8 Questions

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Skunk,
The FR8 does not use the barrel-mounted rear sight,and this will make using a scout-scope a bit difficult.
There are some 20-rd trench mags out there,but I have not heard of any 10-rounders.
I have a 1958 La Coruna FR8,and it is a fine little rifle as issued.
Remember,tacticallity is in the mind,not the hands.
Clark
 
The follower in the FR-8 has been modified for the 7.62x51.

The internal five-round magazine works fine. Don't go trying to use trench magazines with that gun. It would look a bit silly, and you may sacrifice reliability. It's a handy rifle as it is.

If you know how to shoot, five rounds will work just fine. If your marksmanship is not good, ten won't be enough.

Just don't butcher that nice little rifle, if you find one in its original condition. They are becoming harder to find.

fr8_l.JPG
 
Just can't see Skunk and an FR-8.

They have a hefty kick to them, and Skunk, even when weighed down with Camelback, Cordura and Carbon Fiber weighs all of what, 150 pounds? Could be a real eye-opener for the young man. :eek:
 
G98, how does it compare to say, a 12ga slug gun?

Anyway back to the original question,

What does the no rear sight on barrel have to do with scope mounting, doesn't that actually help it get it out of the way?

Also, do the 5-rd .308 strippers work, or are they still set up for whatever the Mausers used?
 
When I fired a FR-8 with 168gr target loads...

It was a sharper recoil, more of a "jab", as compared to the "push" of a 12-gauge slug from my 870. My two stepsons, who each weigh about 110lbs dripping wet, called it quits on that same FR-8 after 10 rounds fired per person. And these are young men who love shooting 198gr full-patch milsurp 8mm Mauser out of their Turkish Mausers. In hindsight, a rubber recoil cuff on the FR-8 may not be a bad addition.
 
The FR8 recoils no more than any other 308 bolt gun. Its definitely not in the neighborhood of a 12 slug for recoil. If anything, the German style buttplate spreads it out a little better than US type buttplates.
The Mauser 8mm strippers work fine, and the chrome ones work the best. The front sight is not like a HK 91 front sight. Its used to zero the rifle, for both elevation and windage. Its really not all that bad as it is. Marko is right, dont mess with it. They are great little bolt guns as they come and with a little practice, you will be amazed at how well they shoot and handle.
 
I just passed on a real nice FR-8 with bayonet and sheath for $225. Stupid stupid STUPID!!!!:banghead: Marcus
 
I shot my FR-8 two weeks ago. Im not a big guy either and I had no problem with recoil.

My Savage package series in 30-06 kicks much more.

Out of all the rifles I shot (16 in total) the FR-8 was the one that surprised me on how well it shot. I'll never tell that to my Garand though.
 
The FR8 is one of the mausers that needs no messing with. It has a fine rear aperture sight setup and is as handy a bolt gun ever produced. There is a multitude of mauser to slap a scout scope on out there, if that is one's desire.

FR8 recoil will wake one up. The metal buttplate, combined with moderate weight is the culprit. Its not as bad as a 12ga Turkey gun firing buckshot hunting loads, however.
 
Here's a pic of an FR-8 someone else turned into a Scout Rifle.
20044254662248238177570.jpg

It's not mine, but I sure like the looks of it. Here's what he said about the front scope mount: Get a Weaver 92A scope mount base for a T/C Contender. It fits the contour of the FR-8 barrel perfectly, and have the part of the barrel in front of the receiver drilled and tapped.

Good looking little rifle.

Scott
 
I'm 5' 10" about 160 with 30" waist. I aint big by any means.


Besides my Garand I think the FR-8 is one of my lightest kickers.
 
Wonder if that front sight can be replaced with a thinner one? Perhaps a H&K 91 front sight?
Click to expand...

The sights on the FR-8 are very similar to those on any CETME rifle, as a matter of fact, the CETME front sight tool is the tool used for the FR-8.

try this for info;
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/fr8/index.asp

I have one of these great guns, and it really is one not to be modiied in any way. The more you hear about them, the more you realize that they are sort of an oddity or rarity of sorts, but have a pretty big "cult" following.
 
Previous poster is incorrect, you can use the AO Ching Ring on the FR-8. It's not dependent on the original backsight like some of the others.

You don't need a 10 or 20 round magazine. One of the good things about the scout concept is that it's "handy". If you need a 20 round mag, look at an FAL, AR10, etc.
 
Leave it like it is. The sights on the World's Only Bolt Action Assault Rifle are plenty good to 2-300 yds. Don't ruin the handling of a short and handy carbine with some misplaced urge for tacticality.

If you just have to Bubba-ize a gun, don't lift your leg on a piece of history, go buy a Remington Model 7 or a Lightweight Ruger or something...
 
I bought a small slip-on recoil pad to put on my FR-8. It added about 3/4 inch to the stock length and help with the recoil. I also have a French MAS36 that I did the same thing too.
 
I have two of them, one park'd and one blue'd. The blue'd one is going to get the Scout treatment, as close to the one in the picture above, although without the bipod. I agree there's no need for the 10-20 round magazine. Stripper clips top her off pretty quickly.

Scott
 
What is the latest thinking on the safety of 7.62 NATO or .308 Winchester in the FR-8? I've heard so many conflicting things I'm not sure what to believe.

Btw, does anyone have a good source for a FR 8, if I do decide to buy one. Are they C&R eligible?
 
My understanding is that the FR-7 is not to be used with 7.62 nato. The FR-8 is built on the 98 action and is plenty strong enough for standard pressure ammo. Now someone will write about the quality of Spanish steel and cite that as reason not to shoot nato ammo. I just think if there were "real" instances of KB's the lawyers would be all over it and you wouldn't be able to buy an FR-8.

I found mine to be a mild kicker with surplus ammo. Much lighter than a Finnish Nagant. For some reason, my handload of a 150 grn. 30-30 round nose at 2650 (chrono'd) kicks like a mule. It's no where near max for that cartridge and I was surprised at the velocity from the short FR-8 barrel. I chose that load for it's grenade like effect on soft tissue. I will be using a recoil pad when next I go to the range with it.

My old eyes really struggle with the FR-8 sights, even at 100 yds. and I've been thinking of that scout setup myself for awhile. I just have too many toys to play with right now.

Capt Teach
 
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