mauser K98 in nato 7.62 (?)

[ghostntheshell]

Hey guys. I'm not that knowledgeable on the mauser front. I have a friend looking to sell me a german made K98 with the marking punched out. It's been chambered to 7.62.

I'm wondering if anyone here shoots a mauser in 308 and what can you tell me about it? It's likely accurate - and cheaper to shoot than 8mm

Any major pro's and cons specific to chambering in nato?

let's leave the "value" of the rifle out the conversation

 

[roberto mervici]

Israely army converted many k98 mauser during the early period of the creation of the state of Israel into 7.62 nato. Good rifles, and fairly good accuracy, some better than others like all military rifles.

 

[dgradinaru]

The 7.62 in the k98 is just as accurate, Its cheaper to shoot, These rifles have a great history behind them, knowing it was used by the Germans In WW2 then by Isreali's in the 6 day war. Max you want to pay for one is 300-550$ depending on the condition . There really nice rifles to have.

 

[smellie]

A lot of them were used, still in 7.92x57, in the 1948 war, the 1956 Suez thing and very probably, as 7.62s, in the 1973 war. They were not released until after 1973.

If you start with a decent bore, you have something. A lot of these were banged around, beaten about and worked on rather indiscriminately. I have seen them, after very careful work, turning out groups just slightly over the 1 MOA size. Most will turn out 2 MOA with a bit of TLC and some bedding work. Pretty hard to knock.
.

 

[collector67]

I have a pristine example of a "Jew Mauser", it's one of my favorite rifles. As mentioned before, ammo is readily available and relatively cheap.

 

[harryhand]

Here is my Jewish Mauser,and she shoots as good as she looks!buy your friends gun if it checks out,you won't regret it.

 

[jbmauser]

Nice Israeli K98k harryhand! Czech crested receiver?

 

[y2k]

I`d like one with the Czech Lion crest on receiver.

 

[dgradinaru]

Here is my Jewish Mauser,and she shoots as good as she looks!buy your friends gun if it checks out,you won't regret it.

You sure love that mauser i sold you.

 

[altaberg]

I also have a 1944 Oberndorf Israeli Mauser.
One of the favourites in my gun collection.
Old Wehrmacht Waffenamts stamps and Star of David on the same receiver.

After WWII the Israelis, first Haganah and then IDF, found weapons pretty much wherever they could. They weren't picky.
Initially from the Czechs they got a lot of left over German weapons from the war, from rifles to planes (first four fighter planes of the Israelis Air Force were a type of Czech variant Me109 - quite the story and nasty surprise for an invading Egyt army).
Mausers K98k were the preferred weapon and later they got new ones still from FN in Belgium.

Mid fifties the Israelis converted to full auto FALs in the then NATO standard 7.62X51. The Mausers were still in use though for reserve and non-combat troops. To facilitate logistics they were converted to 7.62 and got a big stamp on the receiver.

Israelis are not the only ones. AFAIK there are 7.62 Mausers from Spain, Chile, Belgium and 30-06 from, at least, Brazil and Norway.
Norwegian are mostly rebarrelled German WWII guns. Brazil still made new Mausers in 30-06 early Fifties.

I quite like these guns as many barrels didn't see heavy use after conversion and most have quite a history. Shooting an old Mauser in a calibre that's easy to find is great.

 

[Chuck3436]

Big fan of the israeli 7.62 conversions.

They shoot well and are great rifles. I've had a few of them, kept the nicest one here, a DOU43. All the ones I've had had excellent bores even if the stocks and bluing looked beat up.

 

[harryhand]

Nice Israeli K98k harryhand! Czech crested receiver?

Yuppers! I'll have to pass the compliment right back to you as I've had the pleasure of viewing some of your ladies hopefully the OP will see how much we love our Mausers and get addicted to collecting them,especially the 7.62 shooters as they have the look but not the cost of shooting 8mm.

 

[djmay71]

I have an M98 in 308 Winchester. Potato/Potatoe?
Haven't shot it yet. Looks like a dream though.

 

[whitey07]

wish i had one

 

[ghostntheshell]

Well, I just might make an offer then folks. It does have the big 7.62 stamp on the receiver. The barrel has also been described as awesome.

 

[Jolly Tar]

I've had one "Dou 45". It was awesome. Interesting history plus a great rifle in a readily available/affordable chambering. I'd recommend one as a shooter and interesting piece. Mine didn't have the bayonet lug. I notice the one in the picture in this thread does.

 

[collector67]

Here's mine, (top rifle) a BRNO in a Israeli manufactured beechwood stock. I am amazed at the accuracy and the crisp trigger pull on this rifle!

 

[kjohn]

Great old rifles! I have a CZ with a laminated stock in great shape, plus an FN in equally great shape. The converted ex-German army rifles could have a dark history, indeed.

 

[Ryan500]

Well I love mine, it's not as beautiful as most on here and the purist will hate it due to mismatched parts and timney trigger that came with it, but I love it, and it shoots like a champ.

100 yards, 46g Varget, 155 Palmas, YMMV.