308 Cal C&R?

[ea689c]

For some reason I have been really interested in the 308 caliber. Is there an affordable C&R rifle chambered for that and if so what has been your experience with it? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Jarhead FLSTI]

I have seen several Mausers chambered in .308 that are really affordable. I don't have one (yet) but really do like the 4 or 5 8mm Mausers that I do have. I would expect the .308 ones to be just as enjoyable.

 

[Kman]

Ishapore Enfields, if you can find one.

C&R stuff is at a premium now.

 

[Half-cocked]

Just a thought....

Remember, ALL firearms over 50 years old are automatically C&R's. So, if you find a seller on Gunbroker (or something similar) with something over 50 years old, PM him and check to see if he's willing to ship directly to a C&R FFL license holder.

 

[damifinowfish]

One of the pawn shops in Baltimore has a Winchester model 70 from 1964 in .308 listed on their web site for about the same price I have been seeing Mausers selling for.

If I had extra cash I'd drive down and look at it.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Remember, ALL firearms over 50 years old are automatically C&R's.

Very important point. People are so used to thinking of C&R as World War II or earlier that we lose track of time. Today, anything made in 1962 is C&R...1963, in another 24 days. Keep careful track of the serial numbers.

That being said, CMP is doing .308 Garands.

 

[Augie]

Keep your eye open for one of these, an Ishapore Enfield. Picked one up years ago in much better than average shape, a lot of them will have a lot of stock repairs. They are fun shooters,fairly heavy substantial rifle so they are not bad recoil wise.

 

[j8064]

I agree, the Ishapore Enfields are fun 7.62x51 shooters. Keep your eye open for an M1916 Spanish Mauser rechambered in 7.62x51. SAMCO was selling M1916's for $170, but it seems they are out of stock. I have both rifles and load my own ammo for them. They're both accurate and fun shooters.

 

[ea689c]

That is a beautiful rifle!

 

[fivepointstar]

Ishapore Enfields, if you can find one.

C&R stuff is at a premium now.

as mentioned Ishy Enfields and Israeli Mausers. both great rifles

 

[mawkie]

I'd steer clear of small ring Mauser conversions, esp. considering that large ring conversions like the Israeli 98s and the Spanish FR-8 are available. Would rather there be a bit more metal supporting that chamber than the small ring affords.
Remember that the Century .308 conversions of the MAS 49/56 and MAS 36 are NOT C&R eligible.

 

[j8064]

I'd steer clear of small ring Mauser conversions, esp. considering that large ring conversions like the Israeli 98s and the Spanish FR-8 are available. Would rather there be a bit more metal supporting that chamber than the small ring affords.
Remember that the Century .308 conversions of the MAS 49/56 and MAS 36 are NOT C&R eligible.

I don't disagree with you mawkie. That's a reason I shoot only my handloads in my M1916. Samco had aggressive testing to failure done on the rifles they sold. It took some serious over pressure to destroy them.

 

[treadhead88]

The Spanish took mausers and modified them to use as either training rifles, or to take up the gap of the shortfall of the CETME semi-auto rifle, they are known as an FR-8, and an FR-7, one is built on a small ring mauser and has a bent bolt, the other is built on a large ring mauser and has a straight bolt handle, they are chambered in 308, same as the CETME, I have owned one of each, but sadly never fired either one, I no longer have them, you can find them on occasion on Gunbroker, the FR-8 seems to be more plentiful than the FR-7. They are nice little cabines.
Oh, yes, these are C&R

 

[bbguns]

Some French MAS 49's were converted to .308 although the quality of the conversion might be poor...

 

[Scott7891]

Argentine FN-49 conversions. Almost like having a non-regulated FAL but is also C&R.

 

[Sirex]

I have always wanted a FR8, but they have always eluded me for some reason.

 

[ea689c]

Thanks for all the advise I will have to look into these and begin my hunt...

 

[dpd3672]

I picked up an Israeli 98K last year that's chambered in 7.62x51.

Really interesting history behind these rifles. After WW2, the confiscated German small arms were "donated" to Israel to get their defense program started. The Israelis rechambered them for .308 and used them for quite a while. Lots of them still have the original Nazi markings, right next to a Star of David that the Israelis put on them. They're also fairly cheap, in the sub-$300 range. Here's a couple pictures of mine:

 

[Docster]

I found an inexpensive 1916 Spanish Mauser in .308 at Timonium. Beautiful weapon and a great price. These guns were tested as noted above so I'm not worried, besides, I'm not planning on putting thousands of rounds through it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

You'll have to check the s/n for production dates , but the early commercial .308s are now beyond the 50yrs.