GEW 33/40 Mauser Help

dice55 · April 10, 2011, 02:50 PM

I own a GEW 33/40 Mauser caliber 7.92x57 I am trying yo find ammunition that is safe to shoot. It has markings on the receiver DOT 1941 so i'm not sure if I can us a modern load. Any suggestions on the proper round to shoot?

Jim Watson · April 10, 2011, 03:54 PM

You can use a "modern" load. It will likely be listed as 8mm Mauser or 8x57, or 8x57JS rather than the German military designation of 7.92.
Modern, in terms of Mauser rifles, starts around 1905 when they went to the .323" S bullets.

Federal and Remington 8mm is rather mild to protect the really old guns like pre-1905 '98s and pre '98 designs.
Sellier and Bellot, expen$ive Norma, and "cu$tom" Nosler brands are full power.
Privi appears intermediate between US and Euro specs.

The G 33/40 is a lightweight as WW II infantry rifles go and recoil will be pronounced with full power loads. Read up at:
http://www.mausercentral.com/forum/v...ic.php?t=20804

If original German GI, collector interest is substantial.
If it has already been sporterized, its light weight is desirable for hunting.

TX Hunter · April 10, 2011, 08:59 PM

Its a Mauser 98 Paterned Mountain Carbine. But I have read that its a Small Ring, with Metal removed to lighten it.
You can Use commercial loaded cartridges just fine.
Remington, Federal, and Winchester all offer cartridges, that are slightly down loaded, and perfectly safe. I would stay with the low velocity cartridges if it were me, because when you remove metal, you weaken it. So be safe.

Jim Watson · April 10, 2011, 10:03 PM

That strikes me as excessive caution. The Germans (and the Czechs before them) thought the small ring '98 action of the G33/40 ample for full powered 8mm. Back when it was just another cheap surplus rifle from the losing side, the action was popular for building lightweight "mountain rifles" in .270, which was at the time the hottest round on the market. If dice can stand the recoil, the gun can stand regular European ammo.

dice55 · April 11, 2011, 10:40 AM

I see Yugo ball ammo from the 70's on sale at a few places on the web. Any advice on this older ammo?

TX Hunter · April 11, 2011, 06:00 PM

I have tried that ammo you will get some Fail to fires, the best I have tried is the Romanian Light ball. Its very clean and reliable, but your rifle will shoot pretty high with it at 100 yards.

GregM · April 20, 2011, 05:39 PM

I tried some Romanian 8mm a couple weeks ago, and I had a lot of FTF's with it. Very disappointed because the ones that would go off shot to POI with my handloads. Pulled the bullets and scrapped the brass after having about 8 of 20 FTF's.

To the original poster:
I have a G33/40, you're good to go with any commercial 8mm ammo. IF its original, don't sporterize it puhleeze!!! I'll buy you a new Rem. 700 and trade you!

GregM

April 10, 2011, 02:50 PM	#1
dice55 Junior Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Posts: 6	GEW 33/40 Mauser Help I own a GEW 33/40 Mauser caliber 7.92x57 I am trying yo find ammunition that is safe to shoot. It has markings on the receiver DOT 1941 so i'm not sure if I can us a modern load. Any suggestions on the proper round to shoot? Last edited by dice55; April 10, 2011 at 03:22 PM.

April 11, 2011, 06:00 PM	#6
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	Dice 55 I have tried that ammo you will get some Fail to fires, the best I have tried is the Romanian Light ball. Its very clean and reliable, but your rifle will shoot pretty high with it at 100 yards.

April 10, 2011, 03:54 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	You can use a "modern" load. It will likely be listed as 8mm Mauser or 8x57, or 8x57JS rather than the German military designation of 7.92. Modern, in terms of Mauser rifles, starts around 1905 when they went to the .323" S bullets. Federal and Remington 8mm is rather mild to protect the really old guns like pre-1905 '98s and pre '98 designs. Sellier and Bellot, expen$ive Norma, and "cu$tom" Nosler brands are full power. Privi appears intermediate between US and Euro specs. The G 33/40 is a lightweight as WW II infantry rifles go and recoil will be pronounced with full power loads. Read up at: http://www.mausercentral.com/forum/v...ic.php?t=20804 If original German GI, collector interest is substantial. If it has already been sporterized, its light weight is desirable for hunting.

April 10, 2011, 08:59 PM	#3
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	Its a Mauser 98 Paterned Mountain Carbine. But I have read that its a Small Ring, with Metal removed to lighten it. You can Use commercial loaded cartridges just fine. Remington, Federal, and Winchester all offer cartridges, that are slightly down loaded, and perfectly safe. I would stay with the low velocity cartridges if it were me, because when you remove metal, you weaken it. So be safe.

April 10, 2011, 10:03 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	That strikes me as excessive caution. The Germans (and the Czechs before them) thought the small ring '98 action of the G33/40 ample for full powered 8mm. Back when it was just another cheap surplus rifle from the losing side, the action was popular for building lightweight "mountain rifles" in .270, which was at the time the hottest round on the market. If dice can stand the recoil, the gun can stand regular European ammo.

April 11, 2011, 10:40 AM	#5
dice55 Junior Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Posts: 6	I see Yugo ball ammo from the 70's on sale at a few places on the web. Any advice on this older ammo?

April 20, 2011, 05:39 PM	#7
GregM Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Posts: 182	I tried some Romanian 8mm a couple weeks ago, and I had a lot of FTF's with it. Very disappointed because the ones that would go off shot to POI with my handloads. Pulled the bullets and scrapped the brass after having about 8 of 20 FTF's. To the original poster: I have a G33/40, you're good to go with any commercial 8mm ammo. IF its original, don't sporterize it puhleeze!!! I'll buy you a new Rem. 700 and trade you! GregM