Good evening, everyone. I'm looking for pointers on finding a good rifle in 8mm Mauser/IS/JS

Or avoid CZ because of their involvement with the Liberal's gun grab.

There was an absolutely beautiful Mauser M03in 8x57 for sale in the EE and there is at least one Brno 21H in 8x57 in the EE right now as well. Finally, there is an Oberndorf Mauser in the EE, but it would be criminal to drill and tap that one for a scope.

If you must have new, look at Prophet River as they have 3 Tikka T3s in stock. Not fancy enough? They also have a new Anschutz in stock.

Anschutz

Don't like that Anschutz? Nordic Marksman has other versions of the Anschutz in stock. They also have a new Steyr Mannlicher in 8x57 available.

Steyr Manlicher

Lots of options out there.
 
Rmisaacs said:
As the title says, I wanna find a decent hunting rifle in 8mm JS, I'm not looking to buy at this exact moment, but I really want some pointers.

I'm new to hunting and the Canadian firearms scene as a whole. I want to find a solid bolt-action that either comes with some glass or can mount modern scopes with little issue. I'm happy with a used rifle, so long as it's functionally good.

I've looked at just getting a brand new Sako, Mauser 25 or a Tikka T3x in 8mm JS, but that's just not available here, so I'd have to go through the pain of importing the gun and waiting, which is far from my strong suit. I've also been looking at the old Mausers that they have on InterSurplus, they seem like fine rifles, but they're rough to say the least, and the glass they might come with is probably trash, eh?

Please don't just tell me to get a .308 or whatever, 8mm JS is exactly what I'm looking for in a hunting gun, and I'm not going to give a single cent to any American company if I can help it.
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Zastava M70. New production Mauser. I was quite impressed, other than the stock inletting was rough. Shot well.
 
Rmisaacs said:
As the title says, I wanna find a decent hunting rifle in 8mm JS, I'm not looking to buy at this exact moment, but I really want some pointers.

I'm new to hunting and the Canadian firearms scene as a whole. I want to find a solid bolt-action that either comes with some glass or can mount modern scopes with little issue. I'm happy with a used rifle, so long as it's functionally good.

I've looked at just getting a brand new Sako, Mauser 25 or a Tikka T3x in 8mm JS, but that's just not available here, so I'd have to go through the pain of importing the gun and waiting, which is far from my strong suit. I've also been looking at the old Mausers that they have on InterSurplus, they seem like fine rifles, but they're rough to say the least, and the glass they might come with is probably trash, eh?

Please don't just tell me to get a .308 or whatever, 8mm JS is exactly what I'm looking for in a hunting gun, and I'm not going to give a single cent to any American company if I can help it.
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I'm with AB3006 on that one. Denis at InterSurplus has been excellent to work with & you got somewhere close to 175 to choose from ranging from sub$300 to $3k depending on your budget and level of restoration you want to take on. Ive purchased several times from them & always happy with the results.

Good luck!
 
Going new, there are definitely more options now than ever before, especially in Canada. CZ, Styer, Anshultz, Tikka, Sako, Sauer, Mauser, Voere, and etc. The above poster's put the links out. It depends on your taste's. As for mounting a scope, that's something you choose, usually any of the older guns that come with them most likely need upgrading. I highly recommend Schmidt and bender Hungaria 6x if you want to stick to European products.

Don't let other say there's a lack of ammo choice and availability. In the age of the internet and free shipping offer's, ammo can be sourced without issue. Some of the best for value and performance is the S&B 196gr SPCE at 2600 fps, full power, with a good bullet.

Here's a picture of a recovered bullet from my brother in law's moose. 240 yards. Over 80 percent weight retention.

TaCtZb2.jpeg


Another good option is the Hornady international 195gr Interlock around 2500-2600fps. (Depending on the lot number).
This bullet was recovered in my spike fork bull. Shot at 209 yards, bull went down within seconds and didn't make 20 yards. Weight retained was around 75 percent. Couldn't have asked for better performance.

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A good affordable rifle is the CZ 600 lux.

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Used options, I'd look at Husqvarna's that were neatly drilled and tapped and upgraded. They can be mounted with a good scope and your's set.

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The Sauer 100 and 101 are amazingly accurate rifles. Ellwood epps has one in mint condition.

HdIsoYC.jpeg


https://ellwoodepps.com/sauer-100-classic-xt-366876.html

Prophet River have Tikka's, CZ, Anshultz and a few used brno's in stock. Worth checking out.

https://store.prophetriver.com/tikk...tachable-magazine-mfg-tf1t3636103-s-n-fk8632/

https://store.prophetriver.com/tikk...ds-truglo-fiber-optic-sights-mfg-tf1t36bl603/
 
dgradinaru- the local 8x57 expert and unicorn hunter!

I think quite a few people underestimated the 8x57 in the past because of the limp factory loads from North American manufacturers. But as noted, lots of full power options now. I think of it as a cross between the .30-06 and .338-06 - and that’s not a bad thing at all.
 
1899 said:
dgradinaru- the local 8x57 expert and unicorn hunter!

I think quite a few people underestimated the 8x57 in the past because of the limp factory loads from North American manufacturers. But as noted, lots of full power options now. I think of it as a cross between the .30-06 and .338-06 - and that’s not a bad thing at all.
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I agree, the under loaded 170gr load from Remington, federal, and Winchester gave it a reputation of being more like a 30-30 win, and for a time those were some of the most common factory options. People also complained of bullet selection but looking back there was always good options for hunting bullets. Here's a picture I took a while ago with what I had on hand. Today there are even more choices.

DoSocKB.png


With reloader 17 and a 200gr bullet, 2650+ fps is no feat in a 24 inch barrel. H4895 and 180gr TSX at 2800 fps. For sure up there with 30-06+ loads.

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I agree with the wimpy factory loads, clocked 150s at just over 2000fps. Mostly because of m88s set at 37000cup, 98s are 50000cup modern is 56500cup
I'm using 170sst with a under the max load of cfe223 at 2575fps in a19" barrel. Toped it with a fixed 6x42. Some think I should have made it a 8mm06 but, to me it's not worth the hassle.
 
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I have my dad’s hold Danzig “sporterized” 8x57 and it is a great cartridge! Got a moose a few years back 200gn accubond going 2550fps( if I recall correctly) shooting moa. That rifle is light elegant accurate and legal for everything up here even bison! I might try to find an other one some day!! Or maybe a double or a combo in the rimmed version of the round! 40FF68E5-C2ED-462D-A407-743B71D593D2.jpeg
 
MRP said:
^^^ what year?^^^
My 1918 Danzig. Was also an abused rifle when I got it.
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No idea of the year,serial number 8102. I wouldn’t say it was abused, but I did refinish the stock cause it had varnish on it and didn’t like it! The barrel is a bit dark but she still shoots good enough for hunting. I have an old tasco 4x on it that seems to old up well for the age!
 
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MRP said:
I agree with the wimpy factory loads, clocked 150s at just over 2000fps. Mostly because of m88s set at 37000cup, 98s are 50000cup modern is 56500cup
I'm using 170sst with a under the max load of cfe223 at 2575fps in a19" barrel. Toped it with a fixed 6x42. Some think I should have made it a 8mm06 but, to me it's not worth the hassle.
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Wimpy loads - I think you can thank SAAMI for that - for some reasons, they decided the round should be limited to 37,000 CUP for North Americans - they even gave it a new name - you did not buy 8x57JS from Federal, Winchester or Remington - you bought 8 mm Mauser - the "wimpy" stuff. Some makers in Europe - like Prvi Partizan - load the rounds to SAAMI specs - presumably for sale in North America, but also to CIP specs - presumably for sale to Europe - same brass, same bullet - upwards of 200 or more fps difference in favour of the CIP rounds. But, then Europeans are expected to know there was also the "J" bore, as well as the larger "S" bore - so one uses a .318" diameter bullet and one uses a 0.323" bullet. SAAMI's system apparently allows the larger diameter bullet to be fired in the smaller diameter bore, without the shooter suffering damage.
 
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DGY said:
No idea of the year,serial number 8102. I wouldn’t say it was abused, but I did refinish the stock cause it had varnish on it and didn’t like it! The barrel is a bit dark but she still shoots good enough for hunting. I have an old tasco 4x on it that seems to old up well for the age!
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Some had the year stamped on top of the chamber. The letter suffix on the serial number indicates the year but I've never found a list for that. Last year of production was 1918 with a limited run in 19 and 20.
 
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I got an old k98 in a pretty nice looking sporter stock with montecarlo cheek rest from intersurplus. No cracks or anything, and looks bedded, adjustable trigger. Reciever even has a reich eagle on it still haha. Shoots 170grn interlock handloads at 2660fps Avg. . 200y. Fixed 4x scope. Upper 3 are from my bore site in. Bull is all dialed. Not bad for an old dog. Also have a nice husky m96 with a 2.5x setup for Bush wacking in the valley around here.

Now I have a 6.5x55, 7x57 and 8x57. My bsa model D in .303 is the odd man out.
 

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The Husqvarna 640 is a good rifle. M98 action made by FN. Find one with a side safety and weaver bases already installed, then you are good to go. Better rifle than anything you buy new that isnt more than twice the price.
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