Ordering a Mauser 98, undecided on caliber.

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Northern Shooter

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I'm looking to add a Mauser 98 to the collection and am considering both the Standard and Magnum variants.

I'd like for it to be chambered in a European, big-game worthy caliber but am yet undecided in this regard.

Considering 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x62, 375HH and 416 Rigby.

Which would be the quintessential chambering for a Mauser rifle today? Which would you go with?
 
Northern Shooter said:
I'm looking to add a Mauser 98 to the collection and am considering both the Standard and Magnum variants.

I'd like for it to be chambered in a European, big-game worthy caliber but am yet undecided in this regard.

Considering 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x62, 375HH and 416 Rigby.

Which would be the quintessential chambering for a Mauser rifle today? Which would you go with?
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How big are you talking, big game wise? And do you like shooting the big boomers more than the smaller ones?

If you wanted elephant, that narrows it down. If you prefer heavy shoving recoil for fun, that narrows it down too haha. Or just where do those Venn diagrams intersect?

I'd be going with 7x57 personally, think it can do anything short of African dangerous game. 9.3x62 is a great compromise. 12 ga birdshot like recoil, you just won't be legal for cape buff and elephant etc in every country.

Gotta say, the effect of 9.3x62 on moose was nice. Didn't drop them any faster than a 30-06, truth be told, but it didn't spoil as much meat through bloodshot etc from high velocity shots either. Reckon on big game a heavy loaded 30-06 or 8mm would do the same thing anyway though.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I'm looking to add a Mauser 98 to the collection and am considering both the Standard and Magnum variants.

I'd like for it to be chambered in a European, big-game worthy caliber but am yet undecided in this regard.

Considering 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x62, 375HH and 416 Rigby.

Which would be the quintessential chambering for a Mauser rifle today? Which would you go with?
Click to expand...
If I was to order TODAY I’d be torn between 7x57 and 375HH, currently have a 7x57 but I’d be interested to upgrade to something a bit nicer than a truck gun. I currently have a 9.3x57 and 3006 so 9.3x62 kinda seems pointless. But the 375hh OOF.. yes please.

Edit: added
 
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Joel said:
How big are you talking, big game wise? And do you like shooting the big boomers more than the smaller ones?

If you wanted elephant, that narrows it down. If you prefer heavy shoving recoil for fun, that narrows it down too haha. Or just where do those Venn diagrams intersect?

I'd be going with 7x57 personally, think it can do anything short of African dangerous game. 9.3x62 is a great compromise. 12 ga birdshot like recoil, you just won't be legal for cape buff and elephant etc in every country.

Gotta say, the effect of 9.3x62 on moose was nice. Didn't drop them any faster than a 30-06, truth be told, but it didn't spoil as much meat through bloodshot etc from high velocity shots either. Reckon on big game a heavy loaded 30-06 or 8mm would do the same thing anyway though.
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I like all the big stuff just fine, already own 375HH, 416 Rigby, 458 WM and 470NE so I’m covered in that department but wouldn’t mind a second 375 or 416.

I’m also drawn to the classic German cartridges above for historic reasons and I don’t currently own any myself.

I’m looking into factory ammo availability now.
 
Hmatt said:
If I was to order TODAY I’d be torn between 7x57 and 375HH, currently have a 7x57 but I’d be interested to upgrade to something a bit nicer than a truck gun. I currently have a 9.3x57 and 3006 so 9.3x62 kinda seems pointless. But the 375hh OOF.. yes please.

Edit: added
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Both choices are the darlings of Africa.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I like all the big stuff just fine, already own 375HH, 416 Rigby, 458 WM and 470NE so I’m covered in that department but wouldn’t mind a second 375 or 416.

I’m also drawn to the classic German cartridges above for historic reasons and I don’t currently own any myself.

I’m looking into factory ammo availability now.
Click to expand...

Hmmm

Think the only answer is more than one M98! :)

375 definitely sounds like the most versatile
 
Northern Shooter said:
I'm looking to add a Mauser 98 to the collection and am considering both the Standard and Magnum variants.

I'd like for it to be chambered in a European, big-game worthy caliber but am yet undecided in this regard.

Considering 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x62, 375HH and 416 Rigby.

Which would be the quintessential chambering for a Mauser rifle today? Which would you go with?
Click to expand...

I totally agree that a 98 should have a Euro chambering. The 7x57 is a vg choice but a 6.5x57 might be considered if smaller game is the goal. I had mine done in 275 Rigby which is only a 7x57 renamed. Chris Griesbach has a match reamer for 7x57 and also has a reamer for 6.5x57. The match reamer will give you a much shorter throat than the std long throat.

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7x57 if horns are the intended quarry

375 h&h if things with teeth are on the menu.

What a terrible problem to have when picking out such a beautiful classy rifle. A person could take great pride in trying to wear out a rifle like that.
 
SuperCub said:
I totally agree that a 98 should have a Euro chambering. The 7x57 is a vg choice but a 6.5x57 might be considered if smaller game is the goal. I had mine done in 275 Rigby which is only a 7x57 renamed. Chris Griesbach has a match reamer for 7x57 and also has a reamer for 6.5x57. The match reamer will give you a much shorter throat than the std long throat.

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6.5x57 is a great cartridge, and not one you typically see. I'd go with that, or an 8x68 if you want something more suited for bigger game. - dan
 
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