Mauser M18 in .243~good choice?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~just wondering if anyone has one of these, and can report on how they like it, accuracy, trigger, etc. I'm contemplating a .243, but for various reasons...it won't be a Savage or Remington 700. I don't want an overly heavy OR overly light gun, so the Tikkas aren't really on my radar either. I like their varmint models, not the light ones. Before anyone chimes-in that this Mauser isn't built like a K98~yes, I know that. It is a German gun though, and one I like the "no-nonsense" look of as well. Unlike other rifles I own or HAVE owned, I factor-in that I plan on shooting them a fair bit. The M18 in .243 will see infrequent use, hunting only.

I don't see anyone discussing these on CGN, save for that recent giveaway. lol

look forward to getting some input from the crowd on here

Thanks!
 
Well think awf the law that wuzz jest passed?
Could be folk arrr owt there .......you know...............:onCrack:

Awwww heck, ear'yah go.

ht tps://youtu.be/fMVv7eAD7b0

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Thought of one, but for me it seems a bit cheap for what you are paying (a G note)

Would rather invest that money in something like a Bergara.

Take away the "Mauser" brand name and I wouldn't have looked twice.

Wish I had info for you. It and the Sauer version both seem like they are great shooters at least.
 
Joel said:
Thought of one, but for me it seems a bit cheap for what you are paying (a G note)

Would rather invest that money in something like a Bergara.

Take away the "Mauser" brand name and I wouldn't have looked twice.

Wish I had info for you. It and the Sauer version both seem like they are great shooters at least.
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^that is a good point. Not one I care to admit mostly, but a good point nonetheless. lol I think they do look nicer than econo Axis, 783 etc. as a lower-priced option, and it's hard to imagine anything with the Mauser name NOT shooting well. Of course, I could be wrong. My LGS has one, but not in 243 thankfully. lol I'll get up there for a look in the coming week or so. Curious about fit/finish.
 
If you would like to change stock on M18 - not an option ever. Any part you need will be long wait cause there is no aftermarket or significant volume of these rifles.

M18 is as cheap as you can go mechanically, but its made in Germany, so it is not cheap. Value proposition is out of the window for sure.

Tikka, Bergara, Howa would be all the opposite of the above.

For instance
http://bergarausa.com/bergara_b-14_series_hunter_rifle.php
 
Older thread revisited, but I got a chance to fondle one of these rifles last night. (.308) I really liked the thing! I'd compare the action to a Tikka in terms of smooth/slick feel. The metal is nicely finished, all matte save for the barrel...which is sort of a deep blue/glossy. It's still on my short list, though I'd be curious if a heavy barrel version will be announced @ SHOT. I was expecting (based on comments here) that the gun would have a cheap feel to it, that simply isn't the case. I wouldn't put these in the same class as Savage Axis/Remington 783 etc. Far nicer than those, in my opinion.
 
I looked at one then put it back on its stand - too expensive for what your getting - it looks nice though however that pressed in barrel feeling I got was a no go for me
 
I really like the looks of them. That five shot sub moa sounds good to me but ill want to hold one first. Finding one in 270 is the problem im having
 
For me these throw away rifles are the lowest of the low. Why would one choose them over a proper rifle? For hunting I would look at something in stainless... T3 being very useable and reliable. Even a rem 700 can make a fantastic long term rifle as well as many others. If I think of it most of my rifles have been re-barrelled at some stage. My kids are using them now too.
edi
 
My buddy has one in 308 and loves it. It showed potential on his targets hes shown me. I think id pass personally on one for the reasons listed above. The pressed in barrel is my main issue.
Have a look at the merkel r15 and bergera timber. Both have my attention and come in wood stocks. I like wood stocks for hunting in cold. More natural sounding when twigs and other undergrowth rub it.
 
EJG said:
For me these throw away rifles are the lowest of the low. Why would one choose them over a proper rifle? For hunting I would look at something in stainless... T3 being very useable and reliable. Even a rem 700 can make a fantastic long term rifle as well as many others. If I think of it most of my rifles have been re-barrelled at some stage. My kids are using them now too.
edi
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Never understood this position, especially if you’re not using this for a match rifle (which you wouldn’t). It’s for hunting. Unlikely that you’re gonna fire enough rounds out of it to wear out a barrel. That’s the case with most hunters I know and myself anyway. Might be worth getting a bench rifle if you intend on punching that much paper. Light hunting rifles hurt on the bench and heat up quick. To have to rebarrel more than one of you’re hunting rifles is not the norm. Maybe for a sports writer traveling the world going through barrels on hunting excursions? If you’ve had to re-barrel “most” of your rifles, a person would have a lot of money spent up in ammo! Could get one European switch barrel for that cost. I live in an area where I’d be “hard pressed”, pun intended, to find anyone to rebarrel most rifles unless i do it myself. So sending away and cost of barrel/rebarreling in the end costs more than the Mauser M18. ‘Accuracy” is subjective in today’s world of sub moa guarantees out of box. That Mauser will kill within 4-8” for 100 years lol. Get an under-bore cartridge prob longer. Reload and seat your bullets out further, longer again. And I bet its European barrel would outlast most “proper” rifle barrels. Prob not a rifle to pass onto your kids, but for me that’s rarely a deciding factor when purchasing hunting rifles.
 
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Cheap made guns at premium prices because the manufacturers name.
No thanks. There are dozens of better rifles for less money. Dozens.
 
M18 is the same as Sauer 100 pressed in barrels. Cheap rubbish rifles. Sorry my opinion also after talking to engineers that make them. Talk to Sako/Tikka engineers and you come back with a totally different feel for the product. I think they should be ashamed of putting those good names on the M18/101/100 M12. What would the Mauser brothers have thought of it?
edi
 
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