ammo question-rebarreled k98

[pippin53]

I have a rebarreled k98 a bcd-41 with no national markings on it, only 7.62 stamped onto the receiver ring and stock. It is completely parkerized including the bolt . Bolt and receiver have been restamped and match. I t looks almost new. Can anyone tell me if it is safe to shoot commercial .308 in a rifle such as this? Also same question on a 1950 La Coruna FR-8.

[Schuetzenman]

Yeah any that fits the chamber should be safe to shoot in either rifle as both are large ring 98 Mauser actions.

[pippin53]

Schutzenman, thank you for the reply. I'm still concerned about the safety of the FR-8. I have read about soft Spanish metals, a lower-powered "CETME" round that this rifle was designed to shoot,etc.,etc. Didn't these rifles start out life as 8mm Mausers? It would seem that if the conversion was done properly that NATO or .308 should be safe in them unless there is some truth to these other issues. Also, is there a lower-powered .308 hunting round available commercially that would be similarly pressured to the NATO cartridge?

Thanks,
Ken

[Schuetzenman]

I've heard the FR-8's are converted 7 mm Mausers. IMO if so then they would have been made at the Mauser Werks Obendorf Germany. The steel would be just fine in them.

Low pressure .308, I don't know as I reload my own or shoot Nato surplus ball ammo. IMO, just keep the bullet weight down to 125 to 150 grs. maximum. Use medium to slower burn rate powders such as IMR or Hogdon 4064, 4895 or even 2520 by Accurate Arms.