Spanish Mauser in 308 - The Firearms Forum

lead · 06-02-2004, 12:24 PM

I found a Spanish Mauser carbine in a local shop over the weekend. It seems like I have heard that some of these are unreliable, or weak, and I don't want to buy a bad gun. This one was import marked on the barrel that it was Spanish and 308cal. It had a turn down bolt, matching numbers on the bolt, barrel, and floor plate. The bore was good, dirty but not worn out. What do you guys know about them? Anything I should look out for, or beware of? Any of you own one? I'd like to have a cheap gun to shoot milsurp and hunting ammo. Would this be a good one? Thanks.

Xracer · 06-02-2004, 03:45 PM

The general "rule-of-thumb" seems to be that these Spanish Mauser .308 conversions are safe with 7.62 NATO (Military Surplus.....46,000 psi chamber pressure) ammo, but marginal with Commercial .308 Winchester (50,000+ psi chamber pressure) hunting ammo.

Here's an excellent article on this:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...tion/index.asp

Bottom line:

"Keep in mind that old rifles should be thoroughly inspected before shooting, and that each rifle is unique as to what loads it will handle. Having said that, have fun shooting your FR7 or FR8. Remember, 7.62 NATO ammo is the correct ammunition these rifles were designed to use, not the higher pressured .308 Winchester."

mauserman454 · 06-03-2004, 09:27 AM

My father has one, and it is quite accurate. However, he does shoot light reloads in it. It was originally meant to shoot 7.62 Cemte. With his light re-loads, I estimate the power as being in between a 300 Savage and a 308.

They really are nice guns, and worth the money, if you are a re-loader. Though it will fire 308's, I wouldn't reccommend a regular diet of them.

MM454

06-02-2004, 12:24 PM	#1
lead Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,522	Spanish Mauser in 308 I found a Spanish Mauser carbine in a local shop over the weekend. It seems like I have heard that some of these are unreliable, or weak, and I don't want to buy a bad gun. This one was import marked on the barrel that it was Spanish and 308cal. It had a turn down bolt, matching numbers on the bolt, barrel, and floor plate. The bore was good, dirty but not worn out. What do you guys know about them? Anything I should look out for, or beware of? Any of you own one? I'd like to have a cheap gun to shoot milsurp and hunting ammo. Would this be a good one? Thanks. __________________ The best things in life, are not things. -->

06-02-2004, 03:45 PM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	The general "rule-of-thumb" seems to be that these Spanish Mauser .308 conversions are safe with 7.62 NATO (Military Surplus.....46,000 psi chamber pressure) ammo, but marginal with Commercial .308 Winchester (50,000+ psi chamber pressure) hunting ammo. Here's an excellent article on this: http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...tion/index.asp Bottom line: "Keep in mind that old rifles should be thoroughly inspected before shooting, and that each rifle is unique as to what loads it will handle. Having said that, have fun shooting your FR7 or FR8. Remember, 7.62 NATO ammo is the correct ammunition these rifles were designed to use, not the higher pressured .308 Winchester."

06-03-2004, 09:27 AM	#3
mauserman454 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 76	My father has one, and it is quite accurate. However, he does shoot light reloads in it. It was originally meant to shoot 7.62 Cemte. With his light re-loads, I estimate the power as being in between a 300 Savage and a 308. They really are nice guns, and worth the money, if you are a re-loader. Though it will fire 308's, I wouldn't reccommend a regular diet of them. MM454