K98 ammunition question

[WillDe83]

I just bought a K98k rifle from Mitchell's Mausers today. rifle is dated 1944. My question is, can i use modern 8mm Mauser ammunition in the gun or do I have to buy surplus 8mm ammo? I ask because I own an M1 Garand and they need surplus ammo (unless you have the adjustable gas plug) and I do not know if the K98k is the same way.

Will

 

[jr45]

Modern 8mm ammo is fine. The K-98 is not gas operated therefore; no need for special ammo.

 

[rcmodel]

Any American 8mm Mauser ammo is fine in your rifle.

It is Way down-loaded in the U.S. and is not as powerful as the surplus stuff.

rc

 

[SaxonPig]

I just shot some older military 8x57 and it clocked over 2900 FPS with the 154 grain bullet. Modern factory is not nearly as warm. The 98 is a very strong design.

No commercial ammo in a Garand? I never had any trouble with it.

 

[Storm]

I just shot some older military 8x57 and it clocked over 2900 FPS with the 154grain bullet.

What were you shooting 8x57 out of?

 

[WillDe83]

Thank you for the input guys. I very much appreciate it.

Going to go buy some ammunition for the k98 and have some fun this weekend.

 

[SaxonPig]

Storm-

 

[Storm]

Saxon, interesting, that also looks a lot like a full size Spanish 93. I'll soon be shooting 7x57 in a 1916 Spanish Mauser Short Rifle that I just "restored".

While I much prefer the price of surplus ammo I think that modern commercial loads are often the best bet, overall, in terms of maintaining the condition of a rifle.

 

[cchris]

Out of the two rounds I tried at the range (Winchester 170gr and Federal 170gr with Power Point/Power Shok on both), the Winchester shot better. The Federal was a few bucks cheaper, but they still ran me $25+ for 20 rounds. The milsurp ammo is much cheaper, you can get around 100 rounds for that same price. Can't vouch for how it shoots since I haven't had any free time to shoot it yet.

 

[MMCSRET]

I hand load for my VZ24s and a K98 using Sierra 150s and have no trouble chronoing 2950FPS muzzle with a case full of surplus H380 and Winchester cases. No pressure and reasonable accuracy.

 

[NCsmitty]

I just shot some older military 8x57 and it clocked over 2900 FPS with the 154 grain bullet.

SaxonPig,
Must have been Turkish surplus. Some of the Turk surplus is pretty hot, but usually safe in a 98.


NCsmitty

 

[WillDe83]

How should you clean your rifle if you use surplus corrosive ammunition?

 

[ccsniper]

I just shot some older military 8x57 and it clocked over 2900 FPS with the 154 grain bullet.

turk surplus is freaking awesome. I have 300 or so rounds of that stuff and it will MOVE!!!

 

[ccsniper]

How should you clean your rifle if you use surplus corrosive ammunition?

most people say ammonia, I just use hot water no soap no ammonia just simply poor it down the barrel. I use about a pitcher full and then just clean normally using excessive oil in the barrel and action

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I like a funnel and hose. Stand the rifle muzzle down in a bucket, insert the hose in the breech, and pour in hot water. When the water accumulates in the bucket, use a jag and cleaning patch from the breech end to slosh water in and out of the bore.

If you use boiling water, the metal will get so hot any left-over water in the nooks and crannies of the rifle will evaporate.

 

[stolivar]

love my 98

I reload Sierra 150's and they clock out of my barrel around 2950 fps also.

Very accurate loads too. I have no problems with under 1 moa out of this load.


I shoot mine out of a turk with turned down bolt, redfield mounts and Nikon scope on her.


steve

 

[cchris]

Well I assumed there was a reason that the Yugo ammo was more expensive than the Romanian ammo, and the downside to Romanian is the corrosive primers. I assumed there was an upside to the Yugo, and I guessed it was less corrosive primers. Apparently I guessed wrong. I guess the good thing is that I opted out of the 50's Yugo.

 

[SaxonPig]

Most European military ammo is loaded right to the edge of reason. That was Turk ammo and the 98 was designed to shoot such loads and I have never heard any reports of Mausers failing with it. That 2900 was with a 29" barrel and the 24" rifles would likely clock about 100 FPS less.

I have some FN produced 7x57 dated 1970 that uses a 139 grain BT FMJ and this clocks 2925 FPS (24" barrel) with amazing consistency. Maximum variation of less than 10 FPS. Very accurate. But it is a little warm.

 

[wnycollector]

I have found that dollar for dollar the romanian FMJ from aimsurplus for $100/380 rounds is tough to beat. Yes its on the light side for 8mm (150gr), its dirty beyond words...but in my 1937 K98 its very accurate. I use LOTS of windex to pre-clean my rifles and handguns at the range after I shoot corrosive ammo. Once I get home, they get a full cleaning. My SKS and mak 90 have been shooting corrosive ammo for ~20 years w/ no ill effects.

For inexpensive 8mm SP hunting ammo, check out privi partisan or its slightly more expensive clone wolf gold.

 

[WillDe83]

sorry guys, some more questions coming. Thank you for the help so far.

What gun oil should I use of the rifle? and Can I use a bore snake to clean and if so, what size bore snake?

Will

 

[Afy]

Any gun oil will do. Use a .30 cal boresnake.