I want a new rifle chambered for 8mm Mauser and was looking at the Tikka T3X but they won't import one in 8mm Mauser so I'm thinking of getting an older Remington 700 BDL in 30-06 and re-barrel it to 8mm Mauser. I know many guys have converted the military 98's to 30-06 but I'm trying to go the other way. Should be a simple barrel swap yes?
Convert 3006 to 8mm Mauser
- Thread starter Shakky
- Start date
Try Trade Ex Canada, link at top of page. They have quit a few commercial 98 Mausers made by Husqvarna, already in 8x57. These are not military conversions. You probably couldn't rebarrel one for what they are selling them for. The actions are beautifully made 98 Mausers from Belgium. Just read their descriptions carefully, especially bore condition. They are fairly accurately described.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
This, if you don't want a trade ex rifle. Super easy.
And if you're a handloader, you'll be able to seat your 8mm mauser bullets out farther if you like too!
Like this one..........
The complete rifle will definitely cost less than the rebarreling job on your 30-06.
Ted
Like this one..........
The complete rifle will definitely cost less than the rebarreling job on your 30-06.
Ted
That thar rifle sure don't look right.
Hmmmm.........
Buy an 8mm from TradeEx, although I don't know why you'd want one for sporting purposes given the derth of suitable hunting loads. You're looking at a handloading only situation. When it's all said and done, rebarreling your 700 will prove prohibitively expensive once cost of a quality barrel, shipping and installation are factored in. But if the 8mm is what makes you happy, have at 'er! Best of luck with your project either way. 
Shakky, I can give you all sorts of reasons to get a hunting rifle chambered in the venerable 8x57 Mauser. The first and most important is that with decent ammo, such as RWS, Norma and Privi it is a very capable cartridge and available in several useful bullet weights. IMHO, you should reload for this cartridge though.
All of the major North American bullet manufacturers make a decent selection of good bullets.
As far as the bore diameters, I have only run into one with a .318 bore and that was on a Gew88.
There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to load to the same pressures that the axis nations did. 98 actions are commonly converted to cartridges generating as much as 55,000+ CUP. They are strong.
Remington made the 700 in their Classic model in 8x57 that would even be safe at higher pressures although finding cases for those might be another story. Privi seem to have heavy sidewalls so it's a good place to start. Zastava also made the 798 for Remington in 8x57 as well as under their own banner. The rifles from Tradex that I have seen are decent but just keep in mind they are well used and drilled and tapped for side mount bases in some instances.
I have used the 8x57 on Moose and Black Bears as well as Deer. I never recovered a bullet. All passed through with good expansion even at 300+ yards.
I also had a Winchester Model 70 push feed that was rebarreled to 8mm-06. Something I just had to get out of my craw. In all honesty, there was hardly any difference in performance on game or velocities before pressure signs started to show up. It is an excellent combination though and really does show substantial improvement with 196 grain bullets. The biggest drawback is finding barrels in this diameter that are cost effective. The barrel I used came out of Sweden and I found it at a gun show in the form of a blank at a reasonable price. The vendor had no idea who made the barrel and the only marks on the end were the stamps indicating diameter and Sweden.
It's your desire to follow or not. Personally I feel that if you want something different with a power potential between the 30-06 and 338-06 the 8mm-06 is a good way to go. The 8x57 is used all over the world and there were likely more of them used than any other cartridge including the 30-06 at one time. Now, things have likely changed.
At the very least, with proper loads you will not be under gunned for any game in North America.
All of the major North American bullet manufacturers make a decent selection of good bullets.
As far as the bore diameters, I have only run into one with a .318 bore and that was on a Gew88.
There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to load to the same pressures that the axis nations did. 98 actions are commonly converted to cartridges generating as much as 55,000+ CUP. They are strong.
Remington made the 700 in their Classic model in 8x57 that would even be safe at higher pressures although finding cases for those might be another story. Privi seem to have heavy sidewalls so it's a good place to start. Zastava also made the 798 for Remington in 8x57 as well as under their own banner. The rifles from Tradex that I have seen are decent but just keep in mind they are well used and drilled and tapped for side mount bases in some instances.
I have used the 8x57 on Moose and Black Bears as well as Deer. I never recovered a bullet. All passed through with good expansion even at 300+ yards.
I also had a Winchester Model 70 push feed that was rebarreled to 8mm-06. Something I just had to get out of my craw. In all honesty, there was hardly any difference in performance on game or velocities before pressure signs started to show up. It is an excellent combination though and really does show substantial improvement with 196 grain bullets. The biggest drawback is finding barrels in this diameter that are cost effective. The barrel I used came out of Sweden and I found it at a gun show in the form of a blank at a reasonable price. The vendor had no idea who made the barrel and the only marks on the end were the stamps indicating diameter and Sweden.
It's your desire to follow or not. Personally I feel that if you want something different with a power potential between the 30-06 and 338-06 the 8mm-06 is a good way to go. The 8x57 is used all over the world and there were likely more of them used than any other cartridge including the 30-06 at one time. Now, things have likely changed.
At the very least, with proper loads you will not be under gunned for any game in North America.
Here's the story. I have 30 guns so I don't need another one but you guys know how it is. It's comments like Bearhunters that caused me to look at the 8x57, thank you for your first hand knowledge. I had a Brno vz24 action that I got for free so I picked up a Husky barrel off an FN action and a stock and all are away at the gunsmith being put together. This will be open sites close range. I also wanted a 300 yard gun so that's what had me looking at different newer rifles.
