Remington Model 8/81

T

The_Champ

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I thought I would sneak this into the milsurp forum as the Model 8 did sneak in just a tiny bit of service in the great war. Also got around some paramilitary circles.

I'm getting the itch to acquire a Model 8 or 81, partly due to that really interesting long recoil action, but it seems as though they are very rare in Canada. Any idea why? Where might one start to hunt for one in shootable condition? I've yet to see one posted for sale on EE but maybe I'm just missing them.
 
Really like my 81 in 300 Savage. However, the recoil of a long recoil action is not to be ignored. I have several Savage 99s in 300 Savage and even the featherweight models have less perceived recoil than the 81.
 
I've had the itch to get one in 35 Rem. They do pop up every 6 months or so but you just need to keep an eye out. It may take awhile but one will come up for sale on the EE. As Cottage Hill Bill said, long recoil is something you're definitely going to have to get used to. It is the kind of thing where you typically won't be putting hundreds of rounds at one range outing.
 
They are amazing! I love all of mine and have lots. No, not for sale. Still looking for the elusive model 8 in 25 Remington!

Not sure why people think they have heavy recoil. I don't think so at all. They aren't range blasters, they are hunting rifles. I wouldn't be banging away with one at the range too much, they are durable rifles, but if you think they are thin on the ground, try getting parts for one if you wear one out!!!

I put a few rounds down range to make sure the sights are still dead on before taking one out to deer hunt. During the hunt, you don't notice any recoil as you are too excited with everything to even notice the couple rounds normally shot at a deer anyway.

My 2 cents...

Get one! They are really great. .35 Remington is my favourite deer caliber!!
 
The_Champ said:
Since I've basically never seen one for sale in Canada, any idea what they go for?
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I got one recently from the April auction at wards, it wasn’t as nice on the outside but mechanically sound and took about 2 hours to fully clean, it’s in .35rem and cost after premiums was about $600, the model 81 in .300 savage they sold went for around $900 if I recall correctly
 
There's one for sale at accuracy plus in 30 Remington for only $399!!! That caliber isn't made up here anymore though. I have bought boxes of it from the same store, so they might have some. It's in Peterborough, ONT. Definitely won't have recoil issues with that round, and it's the same as a. 30-30.

Depending on condition and caliber, I usually see them for sale for $600- $1000
 
I have an 8 in .35 Rem, great gun! You see them come up in auctions pretty regularly but the tough part is finding / making ammo if you get one in .25, .30 or .32. You’re likely to pay a premium for a .35 or .300 Savage.
 
The French military used them in .35 rem during WW1 for the French air service and also fortress raiding. There are some very cool pictures of them in some of Jean Huon's books.
 
Go for 300 Savage if you get a choice. Remington still makes it at a reasonable price. It was the inspiration of the .308. Out to 250 yards it is pretty much a duplicate of the .308 except it works at around 40,000 psi as opposed to the .308's 60, 000ish.
 
Smitsauce said:
There's one for sale at accuracy plus in 30 Remington for only $399!!! That caliber isn't made up here anymore though. I have bought boxes of it from the same store, so they might have some. It's in Peterborough, ONT. Definitely won't have recoil issues with that round, and it's the same as a. 30-30.

Depending on condition and caliber, I usually see them for sale for $600- $1000
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I don't see this gun listed on their website, maybe it got snatched up already. I would consider one in that caliber, provided brass is available somewhere.
 
The_Champ said:
I don't see this gun listed on their website, maybe it got snatched up already. I would consider one in that caliber, provided brass is available somewhere.
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Yes, I don't see it anymore either. Probably someone snatched it up after I posted that. It was a really good price.

Brass can be found at, or ordered through, Ellwood Epps.
 
pcvando said:
The French military used them in .35 rem during WW1 for the French air service and also fortress raiding. There are some very cool pictures of them in some of Jean Huon's books.
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If you could post some of those pictures that would be awesome and keep this post in line with milsurps!

I've read about that before as well. Apparently they used them in their aircraft before they were armed with mounted machine guns. One guy would fly and the other would shoot with one of these! I also read that the Winchester 1907's and 1910's were also used in the same manner.
 
.35 Remington is a dedicated casing, does not fit anything else.

.25, .30 and .32 Remington followed the Winchester example, all using the same casing as did the .25-35 WCF, .30-30/.30 WCF and the .32 WSp. In addition, loading specs are the same: .25-35 loads may be used for .25 Remington, .30-30 loads in .30 Remington and .32 Special loads in .32 Remington.

As well, .30 Remington brass is still in series production, so there should be no real problems turning out ammo for the Model 8: load as-is for .30R, open out the mouth for .32R, FL size for .25R.

I did up a pile of .30R a few years ago, gave them to a friend whose grandfather's treasured Model 14 was in danger of coming to too much Official Notice; it is now being saved for a 4th and a 5th generation.

If I can do it, so can you! There are NO real problems feeding these old beasts.
 
Cottage Hill Bill said:
Go for 300 Savage if you get a choice. Remington still makes it at a reasonable price. It was the inspiration of the .308. Out to 250 yards it is pretty much a duplicate of the .308 except it works at around 40,000 psi as opposed to the .308's 60, 000ish.
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Yeah if I wouldn't mind this caliber, if only for the fact that it is still readily available. Second choice would be .35 Rem. I think the .25 Rem would be super slick and a nice little plinker, too bad it isn't around anymore. Haven't looked into reloading that little guy. .30 Rem sounds do-able.
 
I've owned 8's in .25, .30, and .35 Rem (Didn't see any reason to get one in .32), and an 81 in .300 Sav. .

By far the most accurate, and most fun to shoot was the 8 in .25 Rem. It's the only one I really regret selling.
 
I’ve got to take a moment to advocate for the .35 - it’s still available in stores and man it’s satisfying to shoot!
 
Appreciate all the tips. I reviewed a few of the previous auctions at the pages recommended, definately a few Model 8's and 81's passing through. Will keep my eyes peeled.
 
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