49willys
Member
Who here deer or elk hunts with a mauser rifle?Im talking full original as issued.
Hunting with a mauser
- Thread starter 49willys
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1948CJ2A
Contributing Member
All of the Mausers I deer hunt with are "sporterized". I prefer optics over iron sights for deer hunting in my area. I have many Mauser variants (commercial and military) as well as 1903 Springfields. Most of them are re-chambered but I do have a couple of them with the original barrels. One is a 8x57 and I shot a nice buck with it in 2020 using a barnes 160gr TTSX. Another is an 8mm-06 that was originally an 8x57 but was rechambered at some point earlier in its life. I do have a couple of 7x57s, one of them being an Ackley Improved version but both of them have been rebarreled.
I love the Mauser 98 design and execution in most variants.
I love the Mauser 98 design and execution in most variants.
Hokkmike
Member
Well, technically my CZ527 is a mini Mauser, but I know what you mean. So I guess, no. I agree about preferring a scope (or peep) for hunting.
CowboyTim
Member
Started deer hunting with a sporterized K98 and original irons. Have also hunted and taken deer with an all original Hakim in 8x57. LOVE my 98s, current go to rifles are a VZ-24 sporter built with a surplus yugo 48 barrel and a McMillan classic and a 8x64s built on a Mark X in a B&C.
.455_Hunter
Member
My first elk rifle I got at age 13 was a cheap Spanish 1916 in 7x57mm. I used it for three years or so. Nothing wrong with a basic Mauser for hunting, just that particular gun with its mixmaster parts, soft metallurgy, and "open" headspace is not the best example of the breed.
Dave DeLaurant
Contributing Member
Been a couple-three decades since I hunted for anything but bargains.
If I did, I'd consider these 3 "full original as issued" factory Mauser sporters:
Granted, none of these were actually made by Mauser Obendorf. Two are Husqvarnas with FN-made actions and the full-stocked rifle was made for Montgomery Ward by Heym. But they are all true Mauser 98 actions.
If I was to take a Mauser milsurp on a hunt in its original military dress, I might chose one of my 7x57 rifles. This FN M1924 short rifle with Mexican crest isn't too heavy and already has plenty of dings on its stock.
If I did, I'd consider these 3 "full original as issued" factory Mauser sporters:
Granted, none of these were actually made by Mauser Obendorf. Two are Husqvarnas with FN-made actions and the full-stocked rifle was made for Montgomery Ward by Heym. But they are all true Mauser 98 actions.
If I was to take a Mauser milsurp on a hunt in its original military dress, I might chose one of my 7x57 rifles. This FN M1924 short rifle with Mexican crest isn't too heavy and already has plenty of dings on its stock.
OP
OP
49willys
Member
I have a 1950 colombian basket case that is pretty ugly that I'm thinking of using this year if I draw a tag.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 27,255
I never hunted deer with one but did kill a squirrel with the one my Grandmother kept in the pantry. My Uncle got the rifle when she past away but I kept the box of ammo.
On the brighter side, I also still have the Walther sportmodell V .22 she kept in there with it....and probably the firearm she was wanting me to use the first time she told me to go get a rifle out of the kitchen.
On the brighter side, I also still have the Walther sportmodell V .22 she kept in there with it....and probably the firearm she was wanting me to use the first time she told me to go get a rifle out of the kitchen.
Jim Watson
Member
No, but I did know a guy who hunted with a GI Garand.
Not to worry. I'm delivering it next weekend to my grandson. Right now, it has a red dot on it. Before that, I put a Mojo adjustable rear peep on it. The original rear sight is also in a bag. He won't be doing anything wrong to it either. He's kind of a throwback type. You know, owns a yurt, hunts elk sheds, backpacks 100 mile trips. That kind of guy.
OP
OP
49willys
Member
I hunted with a m1917 30-06 one year.
1948CJ2A
Contributing Member
I had a friend in college who deer hunted with a Chinese SKS. He said it worked great but I always thought there were better options.
eastbank
Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2009
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- 5,214
boattale, only a few thousand were made in 1944. as i collected the swede army rifles the 1944 mod 38 was very hard to pick up and i found it at a public auction years ago on labor day. as i could not stay to the end of the auction and knowing the auctioner, i ask him to put it up for auction early as it was number 56 on the list. he did and only one other man knew what it was and started the bid at 100.00 and i counter bid 350.00 and got it.
I haven't but hope to someday get a deer with my inherited 1915 Carl Gustov Swedish Mauser. Its the oldest gun I own, and would like to get a deer with it just to say I did I guess. One thing I DO know is if that should haappen, I'll be stand hunting, as I can't imagine carrying it up and down the hills, let alone across a battlefield LOL
I've taken several deer here in KY with a 'Mauser copy': my Smith Coroana built Springfield 03A3. While I much prefer the looks of an original 1903 Springfield, the sight are atrocious for any use short of a fixed distance target range. The O3A3's rear peep, easily adj. for elevation and windage were a vast improvement.
I've heard it said of the WW1 rifles issued by the major combatants, the Germans built the best hunting rifle, the USA built the best target rifle, and the Brits came up with the best battle rifle. I'd say that Willy's choice is a good one, given a decent bore and usable trigger.
Best regards, Rod
I've heard it said of the WW1 rifles issued by the major combatants, the Germans built the best hunting rifle, the USA built the best target rifle, and the Brits came up with the best battle rifle. I'd say that Willy's choice is a good one, given a decent bore and usable trigger.
Best regards, Rod
If you look closely, you'll be able to tell this iteration of the rifle has the Mojo adjustable rear peep on it. No drill or tap. But definitely a lot better than that ladder leaf it was issued with. It's an accurate rifle with good sights and I'm sure it wasn't bad at 600 yards with that leaf. For deer though, the Mojo is better.
luv2safari
Member
These days all my Mausers are hunting rifles, one semi-custom 1917 Spandau Gew 98 25-06, a custom FN 30-06, two FN 98 Husqvarnas in 8 Mauser, one Husqvarna 98 in 9.3X62, and a scruffy Mdl 95 7 Mauser that was sporterized-at. I wish I had kept two minty 1909 Argentines...one a rifle, and the other the scarce carbine.
I like Mausers.
I like Mausers.
luv2safari
Member
I still have one that was "hack-saw-sporterized". It wore a Weaver K 2.5 and killed a dozen mule deer Many years ago. I had an old gunsmith friend D&T it and turn the bolt handle. The K 2.5 went on top of a Svg 99EG 300 Svg, and it now wears a 1970's Tasco TV view 3-9, and is home to a family of spiders in the barrel.
THANK YOU TO THE OP FOR THIS THREAD!
![IMG_20250405_160116519[1].jpg](https://www.thehighroad.org/data/attachments/1199/1199398-8f95017a0a96bf4914c656f4250e16bd.jpg "IMG_20250405_160116519[1].jpg")
![IMG_20250405_160142752[1].jpg](https://www.thehighroad.org/data/attachments/1199/1199399-dcae4a824d2f01bb11f85bb00e5ffdef.jpg "IMG_20250405_160142752[1].jpg")
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