I hope my bias towards British/Canadian militaria is not overly annoying.

My favourite ex-military rifles are:
577 Enfield rifle/musket
577 Snider-Enfield
577/450 Martini-Henry
402 Martini-Enfield
303 Martini-Metford/Enfield
303 Lee-Metford/Enfield

wish I had a few of each!

Ever notice how the military firearm of that particular country's military ends up the favorite of their sportsmen?

Not unusual at all - it's what most of the ex-service men were trained with an developed confidence in. Rightly so.

The Brits, Aussies and our friends to the North all prefer the .303 Enfield. The Scandinavian countries all like their 6.5 Swedes, the Germans love their Mausers and the Americans like their 30-06's.

More power to all of them!

It is a matter of being a patriot I suppose. The Lee-Enfield served my country well as did your M1 Garand. I like the history of these rifles.

Ever notice how the military firearm of that particular country's military ends up the favorite of their sportsmen?

Not unusual at all - it's what most of the ex-service men were trained with an developed confidence in. Rightly so.

The Brits, Aussies and our friends to the North all prefer the .303 Enfield. The Scandinavian countries all like their 6.5 Swedes, the Germans love their Mausers and the Americans like their 30-06's.

More power to all of them!

:confused: The 8(7.92)x57mm Mauser is apparently not as popular in Germany as some may assume. If it were, I am sure that CZ would chamber the Model 550 for it and I would be able to special order one through the America distributor. When I asked about it, all I got from them were blank stares and snickers.

:confused: The 8(7.92)x57mm Mauser is apparently not as popular in Germany as some may assume. If it were, I am sure that CZ would chamber the Model 550 for it and I would be able to special order one through the America distributor. When I asked about it, all I got from them were blank stares and snickers.

Unless you just wanted a CZ, you can get a new 8x57 chambered rifle. This year's Remington's Classic is chambered for it.

JJ

I have had Enfields, and now have a 8x57 Mauser. I must say that the Mauser is much more to my liking, as a hunting rifle. I never cared much for the bolt lock up of the Enfields, or the trigers. I did have a P14 that I would like to have back, they are the best of the .303 rifles in my opinion.

Unless you just wanted a CZ, you can get a new 8x57 chambered rifle. This year's Remington's Classic is chambered for it.

JJ

All my bolt action rifles must be positive feed. Sorry, but Remington products are not an option. I will most likely have to rebarrel a Winchester Model 70 Classic.

Garth, how about getting a Mauser in 8X57 and sporterizing it? That's about as positive feed as a,..well, as a Mauser! they make up into great hunters as I'm sure you know. There are many on the market for under $100 in good condition in military configuration.

I can get a new Winchester 70 Stainless for about $450 from my friendly dealer; an excellent condition, used one at a gun show for even less. Put a new stainless 8mm barrel on it for $270 and I'm ready to go at $720 or less. :)

Just to buy an old, half-wornout Mauser receiver is about $100+. Then you need a synthetic stock for $100+, a stainless barrel for $270, drill and tap for 'scope at $40, bend and reshape bolt handle for $50, fit bolt with three-position safety at $100+, polish or bead-blast and blue receiver, trigger guard and other small parts at $50+, fit stock at $50+, install and adjust a Timney trigger at $50+ and you have a minimum of $810+. And it will still be an old, half-wornout Mauser. :(

Do the work yourself on that mauser...why miss out on all the fun. If you are thinking mauser and don't want a worn out one...pick up a swedish one in 6.5x55...absolute classic...if you don't love it, nothing wrong with the fit or finish on a swedish mauser.


Back to enfields... I bought a SMLE in .303 brit off the interenet for $40. Came in a neon green camo synthetic stock that only a 12 yr old could love. My son has used it to kill everything from antelope to whitetails. It is sporterized (read hacked) but that kid would not trade it for a new weatherby. he is almost 17 and says" Dad...thats my rifle...why would I use anything else." Course it helps that he hits what he aims at too...


swede

I hope my bias towards British/Canadian militaria is not overly annoying.

My favourite ex-military rifles are:
577 Enfield rifle/musket
577 Snider-Enfield
577/450 Martini-Henry
402 Martini-Enfield
303 Martini-Metford/Enfield
303 Lee-Metford/Enfield

wish I had a few of each!

While in England I shot against the MArk IV, and some #1 SMLE's. Don't sell them short, they are extreemly accurate, even with WWI Ammo. We were shooting at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and they could keep up with my national match Grand using National match 30-06 ammo from Frankfort Arsnel. I used to use a P-14 and found that the WWI .303 ammo shot well in it as well. I shot one of the Club Members #4, and did as well with it as I was doing with my Grand. I had a 303 Martini over there as well, and thought a lot of it as well. I would never feel undergunned with any of the Enfields. The Grand did better at 600 and 1000 yards, but at the shorter ranges , it is a toss up. I think that the heiver boat tailed 30-06 was what gave it an edge at longer ranges.

Lee L

:confused: The 8(7.92)x57mm Mauser is apparently not as popular in Germany as some may assume. If it were, I am sure that CZ would chamber the Model 550 for it and I would be able to special order one through the America distributor. When I asked about it, all I got from them were blank stares and snickers.


YOU CAN GET A BRAND NEW CZ MILITARY 8MM IF YOU WANT ONE... They still make them! Check the link to their hunting/sporting rifles...

Came across this recently while looking for something else...

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/english/civilni.htm

8mm KARBINE

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/civilni/lovacki_karabini/16151.jpg

8MM RIFLE

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/civilni/lovacki_karabini/16101.jpg


http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/...i.htm (http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/meni/pistolji/pistolji.htm)

PISTOLS

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/civilni/pistolji/11616a.jpg

and.... Military Stuff like a 7.62 NATO Rifle @ 600 RPM

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/english/vojni.htm

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/vojni/7_62x51_nato/1.jpg

or... maybe you like 7.9mm (8mm) instead?

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/vojni/sniper/m76_1.jpg

Maybe you like fireworks to accompany your shooting range sessions?

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/vojni/bga/8.jpg


http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/vojni/bga/1.jpg


I also found the article on the link below about the 8mm. It explains a lot about the confusion and mystery surrounding this cartridge and some of the reasons for changes in the dimensions during its development. IF you're a Mauser fan, you'll want to have a look! ;)

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?magid=86&tocid=1224

http://www.riflemagazine.com/images/magazine/Column11111.gif

Sorry - here's the link directly to the sporting rifles, etc. so you can see all the stuff they offer...

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/meni/karabini/karabini.htm


They list the 7.9mm for the military style rifles, but fail to even list the calibers for their hunting rifles.... STRANGE!

Sorry, Gowge, but the Zastava guns are Yugoslavian(Serbian?), and are not even close to the quality of the Czech CZ or the Slovak Brno guns!!!!

Sorry, Gowge, but the Zastava guns are Yugoslavian(Serbian?), and are not even close to the quality of the Czech CZ or the Slovak Brno guns!!!!

I have an Interarms Mark X rifle that was made in Zastava, Yugoslavia. It is the full stocked, 20 inch barreled carbine chambered in 30-06. The forged receiver is machined from a solid block, the fit and finish is excellent, and it is very accurate. I bought this rifle NIB in 1984 and have never regretted it. Like many of us members, I have bought, sold and traded many firearms over the years but, have never considered selling or trading this one.

I can't comment on the quality of the rifles that are currently made in Yugoslavia because I do not own one. However, if they are of equal or better quality as the ones that were made some 20 years ago in the old Yugoslavia, then they are excellent rifles.

The 8x57 and many otherMilitary rounds and guns were banned by the Amercian Army after Germany surrendered ! Gun Control started ! It may still be a banned Cal. ! I have used it for years ! To me it's a hi powered 32cal ! JAGG

I can't comment on the quality of the rifles that are currently made in Yugoslavia because I do not own one. However, if they are of equal or better quality as the ones that were made some 20 years ago in the old Yugoslavia, then they are excellent rifles.

I bought a new Zastava bolt action sporting rifle seven yrs ago, the quality is second to none. It has a bog standard mauser action complete with the wing safety chambered in 7mm x 64.