My first 7x57

[Oldschool280]

so i walked into the local gun shop and there it was, the mauser i had to have. A 7x57 sporterized with all matching numbers and all german markings intact. The price tag was 400 bucks. I traded a ratty (compared to my others) chinese sks for it straight up and he added 25 rounds of loose ammo for no charge. The only hitch was for some reason they put me on hold for a few days till i can bring it home, which is odd considering i have never been convicted of anything other than a soeeding ticket. Anywho this rifle is dated 1940, has been drilled and tapped for scope mounts, has flawless bluing and bolt/boltface / rifling. Also has a real nice peepsight/ diopter on board. I feel like i stole it. One question i have is that it is stamped 280 three times in a row on the right side of the receiver. Is this to help workers in the arsenal to identify bigring vs small ring model 98’s ? Or do you think this thing could be reamed to 280 rem? The font on the stampings looks very much like all of the other’s including the third reich stamps. I cant wait to get it home thursday. Pics to follow immediately after i get it home.

 

[Ray B]

During the war codes were used to identify the various arms makers, in a attempt to confuse the allies regarding where the guns were made. Some of the codes were numeric, generally a three digit number. I don't find one for 280 but my guess is that it indicates the factory where the rifle was made.

 

[Shootist43]

I hate to say this, but I think you should have the chamber slugged to determine exactly what it is prior to shooting it.

 

[Ray B]

Further checking shows 280 was the code for Erma Werke, Erfurt, Germany.

 

[Graham Hunter]

No need to pour a chamber cast
Before you leave the shop have them try to chamber a 280.

 

[mdwest]

its the rifle a sportered M98?

or is it a SR varient (M93, M96, etc)?

I built a 7x57 maybe 18 months ago off of an old spanish mauser (SR).. its an extremely handy little rifle..

 

[7x57Joe]

Congratulations on getting a fine little rifle and post some pics for us.
The 280 marking has me confused. Codes used for identification was stamped on top of the receiver ring. Is yours stamped? I would think that if it had been rechambered to .280 that the barrel would be stamped instead of the receiver but, make sure before attempting to shoot it.

 

[CAustin]

Hope you will share some pictures when you get the rifle home!

 

[Oldschool280]

Well, i got the rifle home and took a better look and turns out it is an 8mm mauser. I returned it. Not interested in it. Nothing romantic about the 8mm to me. I wanted this for my wife. The search continues. Thanx for All of your input gang i appreciate it.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

8x57 Mauser? Excellent caliber.

 

[Oldschool280]

8x57 Mauser? Excellent caliber.

Perhaps, but not what i wanted for the ms. Bullet selection is poor as well. Guess she’ll keep shooting my swede for now

 

[Ray B]

8x57mm is what I would have expected for a military rifle made during the war. As noted the 8x57mm is a very versatile cartridge in the category with 30-06 but also as noted, there's nothing romantic about it and ammo & components are limited.

 

[Shootist43]

Oldschool280, FYI there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser. You made it sound like she was being relegated to a second class rifle. I'm getting 2775 FPS out of a 24" barrel pushing a 140 Gr. Nosler Partition.

 

[Oldschool280]

Oldschool280, FYI there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser. You made it sound like she was being relegated to a second class rifle. I'm getting 2775 FPS out of a 24" barrel pushing a 140 Gr. Nosler Partition.

That wasn’t the plan, perhaps i should have put it differently, the swede is my fav, just the wife shoots it and when we go together she claims it

 

[Oldschool280]

I havent loaded my swede to over 2700fps yet. I found a very accurate load (1/2”) at 100 yards, 2600 fps 140 gameking

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

8x57mm is what I would have expected for a military rifle made during the war. As noted the 8x57mm is a very versatile cartridge in the category with 30-06 but also as noted, there's nothing romantic about it and ammo & components are limited.

I agree with you.

 

[Oldschool280]

I agree with you.

Me as well but this was a sporterized rifle that i was lead to believe was a 7mm, me thinking it was coming from an actual gunsmith i beleived him for the most part without checking the bore. Guess i was so excited i didnt give it a great lookover . Lesson learnedly

 

[Shootist43]

the swede is my fav, just the wife shoots it and when we go together she claims it

Smart wife. perhaps she is trying to tell you something!!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Me as well but this was a sporterized rifle that i was lead to believe was a 7mm, me thinking it was coming from an actual gunsmith i beleived him for the most part without checking the bore. Guess i was so excited i didnt give it a great lookover . Lesson learnedly

Can replace the barrel at 7x57 Mauser?

 

[Oldschool280]

Without a doubt , but i was so displeased with the gunsmith and his replies, i just returned it. Orefer not to deal with him. Next one perhAps