I recently bought a K98 Mauser. This post might be a wast of time or it might be too general. Does anyone have any interesting facts about the K98 Mauser? I don't have any idea of what I want to ask but I guess, is there any things to look for, watch out for, ect. If this post is stupid I'm sorry. Figure I have to start somewhere, so here I am. I'm doing general searches in Google and reading different posts on forums and reading web pages. Does anyone have an interesting fact or tid bit of info they would like to share about the K98?
K98 Mauser facts
- Thread starter DASHMAN77
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Most new commercial ammo isn't loaded as hot as the surplus stuff.
Good surplus is getting hard to find and expensive and almost all of it is corrosive. (You need to wash your rifle off with soap and hot water after shooting most surplus ammo.)
If you are just plinking, Prvi makes some good clean fmj that's downloaded a bit but groups well. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/43...-full-metal-jacket-box-of-20?cm_vc=subv436534
S&B makes some nice hunting ammo that is loaded to proper specs. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...nt-cutted-edge-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding
The issued cleaning rods are a pain to use. Inexpensive accessories (bayonets, pouches) are readily available.
Good surplus is getting hard to find and expensive and almost all of it is corrosive. (You need to wash your rifle off with soap and hot water after shooting most surplus ammo.)
If you are just plinking, Prvi makes some good clean fmj that's downloaded a bit but groups well. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/43...-full-metal-jacket-box-of-20?cm_vc=subv436534
S&B makes some nice hunting ammo that is loaded to proper specs. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...nt-cutted-edge-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding
The issued cleaning rods are a pain to use. Inexpensive accessories (bayonets, pouches) are readily available.
You are going to be hard pressed to find 8mm surplus anymore...I think it would be safe to say those days are long gone.
I would also caution on the "loaded as hot" statement. I know some 3006 (yea I know different animal) around today is pretty hard on the op rod on a garand.
My personal suggestion is if you want to start playing with surplus weapons, and it is great history and fun you really need to get into reloading. It will save you money in the long run.....who am I kidding, it will cost you more money because you will shoot more...but you get the idea. That and walking into the walmartz or even places like midway or any of the other on line ammo dealers finding things like 6.5 Jap, carcano and even ammo that your M1 Garand will be happy with is hard to do. It is also fun to play with different loadings to see just what your guns like.
NuclearMeltdown
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They're right about modern ammunition being loaded lighter. The upside to this is that they won't kill your shoulder at the range. I've also fired Turkish surplus 8mm that's around 70 years old, and it had some considerable recoil. Modern loads are tame in comparison and a pleasure to shoot, even from a bench.
The only surplus I've seen in the last year or two was Romanian steel case, but it cost almost as much as the affordable modern European loads. Lots of options with different bullet weights.
K98s are mid-length Mausers that are short enough to be pretty handy, but long enough to have a good sight radius. They often hit high, which can be fixed by finding a taller front sight blade.
The sling design puts the flat side of the stock against you, like a Swiss K31.
You can take one completely apart in a few minutes (assuming no stuck parts, which does happen sometimes), and they're easy to put back together. This isn't true with many other designs! The design is pretty easy to learn, and I'm not a mechanical guy by any means.
I had a Russian capture K98. I thought the stock fit me well until I shot it, and the comb rammed my cheekbone. I prefer the Yugo 24/47 stock to the K98, but I've never heard anyone else run into this problem.
The only surplus I've seen in the last year or two was Romanian steel case, but it cost almost as much as the affordable modern European loads. Lots of options with different bullet weights.
K98s are mid-length Mausers that are short enough to be pretty handy, but long enough to have a good sight radius. They often hit high, which can be fixed by finding a taller front sight blade.
The sling design puts the flat side of the stock against you, like a Swiss K31.
You can take one completely apart in a few minutes (assuming no stuck parts, which does happen sometimes), and they're easy to put back together. This isn't true with many other designs! The design is pretty easy to learn, and I'm not a mechanical guy by any means.
I had a Russian capture K98. I thought the stock fit me well until I shot it, and the comb rammed my cheekbone. I prefer the Yugo 24/47 stock to the K98, but I've never heard anyone else run into this problem.
Ammo seems to be the biggest complaint and concern with the rifle. I have some surplus at my work that I can still get for cheap. However, I don't think the Mauser is going to be my shooter. But it sounds like I should buy few hundred rounds for the future. I bought it more as a keep sake for the kids. It's a RC capture semi-matching number K98. Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate whatever information you feel is worth sharing. We have a Yugo 24/47 all matching I was considering buying for a shooter but like you guys have pointed out, my boss warned me that ammo will be hard to get in the future. But I still want to hear about the Mauser. I like history and the Mauser is full of that!
GunnyUSMC
Member
SG Ammo has 340 round spam cans of Romania 8mm Mauser for $169.50.
http://www.sgammo.com/product/surpl...54-grain-fmj-ammo-stripper-clips-made-romania
This is the mildest 8mm surplus on the market and shoots great.
Remember that your rifle was used in combat and that military ammo was all there was back in the day. Hot soapy wateh was not issued for cleaning.
Cleaning is semple, use water. Two wet patches, one dry patch, ome iol patch. Do this befor you leave the range. When you get home clean like you would with any other rifle.
I have 40 plus Mausers in my collection and love to shoot them.
Check out the German Rifle section at Surplus Rifle Forum for more info on your rifle.
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=21
http://www.sgammo.com/product/surpl...54-grain-fmj-ammo-stripper-clips-made-romania
This is the mildest 8mm surplus on the market and shoots great.
Remember that your rifle was used in combat and that military ammo was all there was back in the day. Hot soapy wateh was not issued for cleaning.
Cleaning is semple, use water. Two wet patches, one dry patch, ome iol patch. Do this befor you leave the range. When you get home clean like you would with any other rifle.
I have 40 plus Mausers in my collection and love to shoot them.
Check out the German Rifle section at Surplus Rifle Forum for more info on your rifle.
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=21
RPRNY
Member
Interesting fact about the Mauser (this in reference to the longer Gewehr 98, the K98's predecessor, in service until 1935), was, along with the earlier 7x57 M93, the inspiration for the M1903 Springfield rifle . In addition to the stripper clip, the US government paid a royalty to Mauser for every 1903 built at the Springfield Armory until 1917.
He'll of a rifle . It was still in production in parts of the world as a main battle rifle up through the late 1950s.
He'll of a rifle . It was still in production in parts of the world as a main battle rifle up through the late 1950s.
Panzerschwein
member
K98's were used by Israel quite heavily all the way up through the 1970s as a reservist weapon. Kind of ironic considering the people who originally made and carried them!!
Mosin Bubba
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The Mauser I had was a little problematic at first. It refused to detonate military primers - commercial stuff worked OK, but it could not fire surplus. A $10 replacement spring for the firing pin was all that was needed to get it working. It runs fine now even with some very questionable ammo. That seems to be somewhat of a common problem with these guns, but it's an easy fix if you do have it.
As others have said, the ammo is getting hard to find, and it tends to be pricey when you do see it. If you have some 8mm available to you, get a few boxes, see which types of ammo your rifle likes, then get a few hundred rounds of it.
As others have said, the ammo is getting hard to find, and it tends to be pricey when you do see it. If you have some 8mm available to you, get a few boxes, see which types of ammo your rifle likes, then get a few hundred rounds of it.
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I had a couple in military trim. Was going to sport one, I had maybe $125 or so in it. a gunsmith said hed had some various actions tested and felt the Dinzag actions were a bit soft. Sold it, and the other one I had. They just didnt excite me much in military form. I think they make beautiful sporters though. Commercial actions (or entire guns) are not hard to come by.
Recently saw a picture with a story of Sunni militias wanting to join up to fight ISIS. Picture was a bunch of older guys with Mausers. I dont know if it was a stock photo or one of the actual people. Cool picture though.
Recently saw a picture with a story of Sunni militias wanting to join up to fight ISIS. Picture was a bunch of older guys with Mausers. I dont know if it was a stock photo or one of the actual people. Cool picture though.
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Panzerschwein
member
LOL!
A bunch of old codgers with bolt action rifles... I guess they are volunteering to be cannon fodder?
Back to Mausers, right now there is some Surplus Romanian and Yugoslavian ammo in country that can be had for $0.50 per round or so. Once that's gone, expect to pay around $0.75-$1.00 per round. Almost all military surplus from these WW2 era guns is either dried up or is drying up rapidly. Heck, even 7.62x54mmR (Mosin Nagant ammo) could be had for $0.18 a round just last year, but even it has climbed to around $0.30 per round with very little surplus coming in, if it all. It too, will dry up soon.
So, if you're going to get one of these milsurps and actually want to SHOOT it instead of just letting it sit in your safe looking pretty, I suggest you procure some ammo NOW while you still can.
A bunch of old codgers with bolt action rifles... I guess they are volunteering to be cannon fodder?
Back to Mausers, right now there is some Surplus Romanian and Yugoslavian ammo in country that can be had for $0.50 per round or so. Once that's gone, expect to pay around $0.75-$1.00 per round. Almost all military surplus from these WW2 era guns is either dried up or is drying up rapidly. Heck, even 7.62x54mmR (Mosin Nagant ammo) could be had for $0.18 a round just last year, but even it has climbed to around $0.30 per round with very little surplus coming in, if it all. It too, will dry up soon.
So, if you're going to get one of these milsurps and actually want to SHOOT it instead of just letting it sit in your safe looking pretty, I suggest you procure some ammo NOW while you still can.
GunnyUSMC
Member
If you can, find a crate and fill it up. More is always fun.
I find it interesting that that Romanian ammo is 1970s-1980s manufacture. I wonder if the Romanians still had a bunch of Mausers is reserve or with police/paramilitary forces as late as the 80s?
Edit: Interesting fact: Mauser came up with the idea for his bolt from observing the sliding lock commonly seen on some doors: https://www.google.com/search?q=bol...sch&q=sliding+bolt+lock&imgrc=PMuwsBXgxLlcIM:
Not sure where I heard this or if its in fact true, but if someone else more knowledgeable could verify it, it would be very cool.
Edit: Interesting fact: Mauser came up with the idea for his bolt from observing the sliding lock commonly seen on some doors: https://www.google.com/search?q=bol...sch&q=sliding+bolt+lock&imgrc=PMuwsBXgxLlcIM:
Not sure where I heard this or if its in fact true, but if someone else more knowledgeable could verify it, it would be very cool.
No4Mk1*
Member
It has a very good stripper clip guide design. Insert a clip, strip the 5 rounds into the magazine, then quickly close the bolt, ignoring the clip. The bolt will push the empty clip right out of the way. (Very fast reload)
Panzerschwein
member
I want a nice Mauser quite a bit, but the cost of ammo turns me back each time. I don't reload. Like I said, there is some surplus on the market right now, but I imagine it will all be gone in no time.
I'll stick to my Mosins. Shells for them, allthough drying up, are still cheaper and I've got 2,500 or so saved up.
I'll stick to my Mosins. Shells for them, allthough drying up, are still cheaper and I've got 2,500 or so saved up.
Jim Watson
Member
Mosin Nagant. Strong like Russian woman; pretty like Russian tractor.
Ya for cheap shooting I turn to my akm, SKS or zastava mini Mauser. The Mauser was for the fact that good quality mil surp rifles are going quick and by the time my kids are old enough, they will be few and far between costing two weeks salary. Next I would like to get an 03-A3 or 1917. I'm on a mil surp kick. But for now my attention is on the Mauser. I'm going to secure a few hundred rounds thanks to all the posts. I don't plan on shooting it much but if I do, I can shoot it for about .25 cents a round with what we have in stock. For a buck a round I'll shoot my M1 Garand. Thank you for all the posts. Keep the Mauser info coming!
Mosin Bubba
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Man, that's a great price. I usually pay twice that around here.
If you can, I'd load up on that.
I had a K98, but was put off by the fact that, at 100 yards, with the sight as low as it would go, it shot about a foot high. I bought a pack of new front sights, but the tallest one was the same darn height as the one on the rifle. So I sold it and donated the 1/2 case of surplus 8mm ammo.
I recently bought a Brazilian Mauser, 7mm, model 1908, and the seller threw in a few boxes of modern 7X57 ammo. With the sight set at its lowest position (300m), it shot dead on at 100 yards. And, with nearly 70-yr-old eyesight, 100 yards is quite far enough for iron sights. Now, I'm wishing I'd tried some modern 8mm ammo with that K98. I might still have it now. Bummer. But, I do love this 7mm Mauser.
I recently bought a Brazilian Mauser, 7mm, model 1908, and the seller threw in a few boxes of modern 7X57 ammo. With the sight set at its lowest position (300m), it shot dead on at 100 yards. And, with nearly 70-yr-old eyesight, 100 yards is quite far enough for iron sights. Now, I'm wishing I'd tried some modern 8mm ammo with that K98. I might still have it now. Bummer. But, I do love this 7mm Mauser.
morcey2
Member
Just a point about "modern" 8mm ammo. The light-loading applies to all Rem/Win/Fed ammo along with any commercial Prvi Partizan(PPU) ammo marked as "8mm Mauser". PPU ammo marked "8x57 IS", all S&B, Norma, Lapua, and Hornady are all loaded to where 8x57 JS should be, a.k.a. CIP spec instead of SAAMI.
If you see ammo marked "8x57 I", "8x57 J", "8x57 JRS", or "8x57 IRS", don't get it. Without the "S", it's the smaller 0.318" rounds. With the "R", it's the rimmed version usually used in break action guns such as double rifles and drillings. The Europeans figured out how to do the designation so that they didn't have to download the rounds to prevent them from blowing up older rifles with the 0.318" barrels. And, no, I've never seen one that wasn't modified including every M88 Commission rifle I've ever seen.
I've the most common chambering that I have is 8x57 so I've been through my share of surplus before I started reloading. The most accurate surplus I've found is Yugo M75 sniper rounds. It chronographs about 150 fps slower than most earlier Yugo surplus also using a 196 gr FMJBT, but more accurate. It's still available in quite a few places and I think it only ceased production in the last 10 years. (I might be wrong though.) I haven't shot the Romanian surplus at all, but there was a batch of new-production Romanian that was so out of spec that it wouldn't chamber in most guns. I think that was about a year ago.
Another note on Yugo surplus: It usually has harder/deeply seated primers. I only had one gun that wouldn't reliably fire it and, as someone already mentioned, a new firing pin spring solved that problem. (applies mostly to the 1950's era surplus which isn't really available any more)
I started handloading when the surplus started to dry up. I got a bunch of blem 200 gr nosler HPBT bullets that I use to duplicate the surplus loads, but with much more gooder accuracy. My hunting load is a 200 gr Partition going at just a hair under 2600 fps.
As for the K98 specifically, if you get some of the neutered Win/Rem/Fed rounds, you should hit fairly close to point of aim at 100 yards with the battle sights down. Off the top of my head, the velocity on those is about 2200 fps with round-nose bullets. I've only got one actual K98k which is a Yugo capture. It has a very smooth action, but not as nice as my Argentine 1909, but still really smooth. It shoots really well also. My eyes are getting a little too old for the iron sights on it, but it's still a lot of fun.
If the stock is too short for you (common problem), a slip-on recoil pad is a great add-on. I've got a couple and they bounce between the mausers and mosins to preserve my shoulder.
Matt
If you see ammo marked "8x57 I", "8x57 J", "8x57 JRS", or "8x57 IRS", don't get it. Without the "S", it's the smaller 0.318" rounds. With the "R", it's the rimmed version usually used in break action guns such as double rifles and drillings. The Europeans figured out how to do the designation so that they didn't have to download the rounds to prevent them from blowing up older rifles with the 0.318" barrels. And, no, I've never seen one that wasn't modified including every M88 Commission rifle I've ever seen.
I've the most common chambering that I have is 8x57 so I've been through my share of surplus before I started reloading. The most accurate surplus I've found is Yugo M75 sniper rounds. It chronographs about 150 fps slower than most earlier Yugo surplus also using a 196 gr FMJBT, but more accurate. It's still available in quite a few places and I think it only ceased production in the last 10 years. (I might be wrong though.) I haven't shot the Romanian surplus at all, but there was a batch of new-production Romanian that was so out of spec that it wouldn't chamber in most guns. I think that was about a year ago.
Another note on Yugo surplus: It usually has harder/deeply seated primers. I only had one gun that wouldn't reliably fire it and, as someone already mentioned, a new firing pin spring solved that problem. (applies mostly to the 1950's era surplus which isn't really available any more)
I started handloading when the surplus started to dry up. I got a bunch of blem 200 gr nosler HPBT bullets that I use to duplicate the surplus loads, but with much more gooder accuracy.
My hunting load is a 200 gr Partition going at just a hair under 2600 fps.As for the K98 specifically, if you get some of the neutered Win/Rem/Fed rounds, you should hit fairly close to point of aim at 100 yards with the battle sights down. Off the top of my head, the velocity on those is about 2200 fps with round-nose bullets. I've only got one actual K98k which is a Yugo capture. It has a very smooth action, but not as nice as my Argentine 1909, but still really smooth. It shoots really well also. My eyes are getting a little too old for the iron sights on it, but it's still a lot of fun.
If the stock is too short for you (common problem), a slip-on recoil pad is a great add-on. I've got a couple and they bounce between the mausers and mosins to preserve my shoulder.
Matt
I'm starting to scope out Mauser forums. Just reading posts and seeing what people have to say or what they disagree on. Have not determined if this will be a useful source of info. I'm fairly discerning so I won't accept it as gospel until I can confirm, or 3 or more people agree with what was posted. Thanks again for all the posts and for keeping it relevant.
morcey2
Member
Surplusrifleforum.com is a good place to go. Several of us who have posted in this thread are also regulars there.
Matt
GBExpat
Member
Here is something that few milsurp "Mauser" owners seem to know. At least, I have never run into one that knew it prior to me telling them but, certainly, quite a few at THR do.
If you have a cartridge that does not fire, most folks will tell you to wait awhile and then recock the bolt and try it again. The potential problem with that should be obvious.
Instead of unlocking that bolt to recock and hoping that primer/powder cartridge does not pick that moment to ignite, simply use the rim of a cartridge or empty case in the recocking groove milled into the rear of the bolt to recock without ever unlocking it.
If you have a cartridge that does not fire, most folks will tell you to wait awhile and then recock the bolt and try it again. The potential problem with that should be obvious.
Instead of unlocking that bolt to recock and hoping that primer/powder cartridge does not pick that moment to ignite, simply use the rim of a cartridge or empty case in the recocking groove milled into the rear of the bolt to recock without ever unlocking it.
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