Anyone have any scoop on Spanish mausers converted to .308 Nato. these are sold on the surplus market and I was just wondering what condition to expect in a surplus rifle.

thanks y'all !

r

If they are 95 Mausers they aren't suitable for full pressure loads.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they were chambered for the 7.62 CETME cartridge which is practically identical to .308 Win in dimensions but is loaded to significantly lower pressures.
By all means buy one of these Spanish Mausers but unless you load your own ammo and are capable of producing loads for the rifle that are the minimum listed in loading manuals you are wasting your money.
The only ex-mil Mausers chambered for .308 Win that are capable of handling the 52,000 CUP that modern 308 Win factory rounds are loaded to are the Israeli K98 Mausers that were orginally confiscated from the Axis powers after WW2.

The turks did rechamber a lot of 1893 mausers to 8x57, and if you've fired off any turk ball ammo, you'll know that stuff is loaded pretty hot!

Now, the fact that someone did this, does not mean it's a fabulously great idea. The 93/95/96 mausers don't lack strength as much as they lack safety when a case head blows. Also, the older they are, the more questionable the metallurgy gets. Swedes seem to be made of the very best steel and I'd trust them most of all. But....

I keep loads modest for my 96 Swede and my 93 Turk. No point in running them hot, anyway, with iron sights.

If you reload, it should not be a problem. No rule that the .308 has to run full throttle all the time.

If you intend to shoot factory ammo all the time, I think I'd pass.

Try these folks...have a forum marked CETME and FR-8 (the .308 bolt gun is an FG-8)...can look over the old post or post new.

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/default.asp

Try these folks...have a forum marked CETME and FR-8 (the .308 bolt gun is an FG-8)...can look over the old post or post new.

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/default.asp

The Spanish Mausers of the FR-8 series were modified M98 Spanish Military Mausers, and perfectly safe for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge. Just be certain that you get the M98 version and not the M93 and you will be alright.
LLS

My son has a 95 spanish mauser in .308W. He uses factory ammo and ammo we have reloaded for us. He has had no problems at all with his rifle. He loves it and has been offered trades for "better" rifles, but he sticks with the 95. It still has the military stock. The only thing he has added is a bent bolt and a 3x9 scope.