FR-7 FR-8 Whats the differance between them ?

[Why not?]

......and yet no-one can point out a time when that third lug on the FR-8 saved the day, nor to a failure of an FR-7.

My Rem 700, Savage Model 10, Win 70's, etc. all have but two lugs - should I be abandoning them for old Model 98 Mausers?

As for the quality of the steel (the next point to raise) , let's not just assume that because it's Spanish or it's 100 years old that it's crap. The FR-7 was deemed adequate by the Spanish for 7.62X51, and many old Swedish M96's with but two locking lugs have ben rechambered to 7.62X51 as well.

I shoot my FR-7 with confidence with the same loads as I use in my M305, Savages and M98 Mausers. It's really time to put this behind us.

Amen, Bro, it really is.

 

[Bojangles]

On many rifles with a mauser action, the "THIRD" lug is at the rear of the bolt and does not contact the receiver. The third lug does not come into play during the firing of the rifle since the two forward lugs are doing the work.

However, if there were an obstruction in the barrel that caused the two front lugs to shear, the bolt would move back slightly and be retained by the third "safety" lug. This would allow chamber pressure to dissipate and stop the bolt from ending up in the shooters face.

As said in the previous posts, two lugs can handle the 7.62 pressure just fine. The third lug is nice to have if ever needed.