Newbie Mauser M48A question

I'vebeenduped · January 18, 2013, 04:11 PM

I inherited one of the Mitchell's Mausers (yes, I know, overpriced), from my late father. Is there any comparable ammo that can be fired from this weapon safely besides the insanely priced 8MM Mauser ammo from my local Megalo-Mart-Outdoor center? I have seen what I have taken as conflicting information when I google it.
Responses are greatly appreciated and, please, keep the mocking of my general lack of knowledge to a maximum of 1 paragraph.

Thank you,
David

Dfariswheel · January 18, 2013, 07:58 PM

The 8mm Mauser (actually it's the 7.9mm Mauser) is the only ammo that will work.
This is no different than any firearm chambered for a specific cartridge. Only the ammo it's chambered for can be used.

For ammo, there's the commercial made hunting ammo made by most American cartridge companies, ammo made by Norma, and if you can find it, military surplus corrosive primed ammo from any number of companies.

I don't keep up on this, but it's possible Russia or some of the former Commie countries are selling commercial steel cased ammo.

To use surplus corrosive ammo, after shooting just flush the bore and bolt face with hot water, then clean as normal.

wpsdlrg · January 18, 2013, 08:01 PM

Any proper 8mm Mauser (technically, it's called 7.92 x 57JS) can be fired through your M48a. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, I have to say. Are you asking for a recommendation on particular brands ? I'll pass on some general info, hoping that it will help you.......

Your M48a has a barrel which is rifled for the "standard" military load (for most 8mm Mauser rifles).....which is a 198 grain pointed ("spitzer", in German) bullet @ about 2360 fps. Many, maybe all, of the US manufactured 8mm Mauser loads use a 170 grain bullet. These are somewhat lightly loaded and generally won't be as accurate as more "standard" loads. So, your best bet for good ammo for your rifle are European brands, such as Sellier & Bellot (Czech), Prvi Partisan (Serbian), Norma (Swedish....and VERY expensive). S&B and PP are not expensive. There are other such brands, but the important thing to look for is bullet weights of around 198 grains. There are also some brands to avoid, one being Olympic (Greek).

But, any commercially-loaded 8mm Mauser ammo will work in your rifle.

Does that help at all ? I hope so.

PetahW · January 19, 2013, 04:51 AM

ALL factory ammo is insanely priced - search discount online dealers like CheaperThanDirt or others.

OR start a new hobby: handloading.

If you can run down a Lee Loader, that & the components (powder, primers, projectiles) should run you about $60 for your 1st 100 rounds - less, if you glom onto some cast lead boolits at a funshop or funshow.

.

Craig010 · January 21, 2013, 06:36 PM

You might want to do a search on ammoseek.com. I have pretty good look finding stuff on there and you can search/list based on cost/rd. I seem to recall seeing some surplus Persian ammo (8mm Mauser) on Samco recently as well. ~Craig

I'vebeenduped · January 22, 2013, 03:08 PM

Thanks, guys.

I appreciate all of the info. I was trying to see if I could use any other sort of ammo in the sense that, you can shoot .38 out of a .357 or .223 out of a 5.56 etc. Again, I have very little knowledge about this rifle and GREATLY appreciate what those with more knowledge are willing to share. I downloaded some assembling/ disassembling instructions. I am looking into purchasing a Brass tacker scout mount and I already have a pretty decent, albeit non-expensive scout scope.
I plan on making this my white-tail rifle since it seems a shame to let a rifle sit in a safe without ever seeing the light of day. From what I've read it is a decent enough rifle with enough firepower to take down anything in North America. I am trying to find if there is a nice, affordable way to fire this beauty. So, gents, I thank you all for the previous posts and look forward to any future ones.

David

I'vebeenduped · February 14, 2013, 05:25 PM

Can anyone tell me if I can get close enough to use one of these
http://muelleroptics.com/mu3940eer

With this?
http://brassstacker.com/MAUSER/

The intermediate scope requires a 4.25" eye relief. I know the scout mount would require me to get a cheek riser and I don't have a contention with that. I just don't want to buy something that I cannot use.

Scorch · February 14, 2013, 06:30 PM

Nope. That scout mount will give you about 12"-16" of eye relief with that scope. The scope is set up for about 4" of eye relief. If you are going to use that scope, use regualr scope mounts: if you are going to use the scout mount, use an extended eye reilef scope (also sold as handgun scopes).

magyarbacsi · February 27, 2013, 08:34 AM

David, the cheapest and seems like the only place to find currently 8mm surplus is at SAMCO global. I just ordered 400 rounds for my M48, something like $112 for 400. Their shiping price is a bit high, depends on where you live. I have dealt with them for eons and have always got what ordered. Not exactly fast delivery, but you get it eventually.

You have to fax a copy of your drivers license or a photo ID and a letter that you are not a criminal. Both forms are on line

January 18, 2013, 04:11 PM	#1
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: AZ Posts: 202	Newbie Mauser M48A question I inherited one of the Mitchell's Mausers (yes, I know, overpriced), from my late father. Is there any comparable ammo that can be fired from this weapon safely besides the insanely priced 8MM Mauser ammo from my local Megalo-Mart-Outdoor center? I have seen what I have taken as conflicting information when I google it. Responses are greatly appreciated and, please, keep the mocking of my general lack of knowledge to a maximum of 1 paragraph. Thank you, David

February 14, 2013, 05:25 PM	#7
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: AZ Posts: 202	Can anyone tell me if I can get close enough to use one of these http://muelleroptics.com/mu3940eer With this? http://brassstacker.com/MAUSER/ The intermediate scope requires a 4.25" eye relief. I know the scout mount would require me to get a cheek riser and I don't have a contention with that. I just don't want to buy something that I cannot use. __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

February 14, 2013, 06:30 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Nope. That scout mount will give you about 12"-16" of eye relief with that scope. The scope is set up for about 4" of eye relief. If you are going to use that scope, use regualr scope mounts: if you are going to use the scout mount, use an extended eye reilef scope (also sold as handgun scopes). __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 27, 2013, 08:34 AM	#9
magyarbacsi Junior Member Join Date: December 19, 2009 Posts: 4	M48 8mm ammo David, the cheapest and seems like the only place to find currently 8mm surplus is at SAMCO global. I just ordered 400 rounds for my M48, something like $112 for 400. Their shiping price is a bit high, depends on where you live. I have dealt with them for eons and have always got what ordered. Not exactly fast delivery, but you get it eventually. You have to fax a copy of your drivers license or a photo ID and a letter that you are not a criminal. Both forms are on line

January 18, 2013, 07:58 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The 8mm Mauser (actually it's the 7.9mm Mauser) is the only ammo that will work. This is no different than any firearm chambered for a specific cartridge. Only the ammo it's chambered for can be used. For ammo, there's the commercial made hunting ammo made by most American cartridge companies, ammo made by Norma, and if you can find it, military surplus corrosive primed ammo from any number of companies. I don't keep up on this, but it's possible Russia or some of the former Commie countries are selling commercial steel cased ammo. To use surplus corrosive ammo, after shooting just flush the bore and bolt face with hot water, then clean as normal.

January 18, 2013, 08:01 PM	#3
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	Any proper 8mm Mauser (technically, it's called 7.92 x 57JS) can be fired through your M48a. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, I have to say. Are you asking for a recommendation on particular brands ? I'll pass on some general info, hoping that it will help you....... Your M48a has a barrel which is rifled for the "standard" military load (for most 8mm Mauser rifles).....which is a 198 grain pointed ("spitzer", in German) bullet @ about 2360 fps. Many, maybe all, of the US manufactured 8mm Mauser loads use a 170 grain bullet. These are somewhat lightly loaded and generally won't be as accurate as more "standard" loads. So, your best bet for good ammo for your rifle are European brands, such as Sellier & Bellot (Czech), Prvi Partisan (Serbian), Norma (Swedish....and VERY expensive). S&B and PP are not expensive. There are other such brands, but the important thing to look for is bullet weights of around 198 grains. There are also some brands to avoid, one being Olympic (Greek). But, any commercially-loaded 8mm Mauser ammo will work in your rifle. Does that help at all ? I hope so.

January 19, 2013, 04:51 AM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	ALL factory ammo is insanely priced - search discount online dealers like CheaperThanDirt or others. OR start a new hobby: handloading. If you can run down a Lee Loader, that & the components (powder, primers, projectiles) should run you about $60 for your 1st 100 rounds - less, if you glom onto some cast lead boolits at a funshop or funshow. .

January 21, 2013, 06:36 PM	#5
Craig010 Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 30	You might want to do a search on ammoseek.com. I have pretty good look finding stuff on there and you can search/list based on cost/rd. I seem to recall seeing some surplus Persian ammo (8mm Mauser) on Samco recently as well. ~Craig

January 22, 2013, 03:08 PM	#6
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: AZ Posts: 202	Thanks, guys. I appreciate all of the info. I was trying to see if I could use any other sort of ammo in the sense that, you can shoot .38 out of a .357 or .223 out of a 5.56 etc. Again, I have very little knowledge about this rifle and GREATLY appreciate what those with more knowledge are willing to share. I downloaded some assembling/ disassembling instructions. I am looking into purchasing a Brass tacker scout mount and I already have a pretty decent, albeit non-expensive scout scope. I plan on making this my white-tail rifle since it seems a shame to let a rifle sit in a safe without ever seeing the light of day. From what I've read it is a decent enough rifle with enough firepower to take down anything in North America. I am trying to find if there is a nice, affordable way to fire this beauty. So, gents, I thank you all for the previous posts and look forward to any future ones. David