which to buy?

sixteenacrewood · February 26, 2013, 01:33 PM

I ran accross 2 nice rifles in my local gun store, both look to be in very nice condition and are there on consignment. They look to be unaltered, no rust or pitting, good color on the metal parts, nice wood, and very clean bores.

One is a Lee Enfield 303 and the other is a German Mauser 8mm but looks shorter than ones I've seen online. They are asking $250 each

I want a shooter that I could use for deer and wild pigs as well as for the range.

I have no experience with either of the guns or calibers.

What is the recoil like on these?

Any advice?

Thanks again
Stephen

mapsjanhere · February 26, 2013, 01:47 PM

German Mausers should not be short - but FN sold a lot of shorter models. Be aware that a certain US Mauser dealer produces "tanker Mausers" that have no historic value. That said, any decent Mauser is a steal at $250, you have to pay that for a Turkish model by now.

sixteenacrewood · February 26, 2013, 02:33 PM

Thanks, deffinitly not a tanker.
I have been looking at a few of the auction sites and think I may be mistaken about it being shorter. the first photos I looked at were a swedish mauser.

so whats it like shooting these two rifles?

Cheapshooter · February 26, 2013, 06:42 PM

To give you an idea of the recoil it would helpful to know what you have shot. That being said, either the 303 British, or the Mauser (8MM) would be a lot like a comercial 30-06 without a recoil pad.
The important thing is a proper, firm hold on either. Many that complain about the recoil of military rifles get hammered because they get sloppy with how they hold theme.

sixteenacrewood · February 26, 2013, 07:35 PM

thanks cheapshooter
I've shot most of the standard modern rounds, 30-06, 270 etc.
most of my hunting is 100 yds or under, deep woods mostly, so I use a 30-30 most of the time, marlin 336 4-9x scope. I live out in the woods and own a bit of land.

I just recently got interested in WW-II firearms after inhereting a 6.5 Carcano, I really like the style of these older bolt action guns and would like a few more to shoot and hunt with.
I would like a Swedish 6.5 Mauser but ran accross the Enfield and the German Mauser today.
I like the look of the Enfield a lot but have no knowledge to base a purchase on with these two rifle.
The mauser seems to be easier to get ammo for. But I have read a few comments on the mauser being a bit punnishing on recoil.

tahunua001 · February 27, 2013, 12:20 PM

I'm a little biased. I'm a huge enfield fan and cock on close designs in particular. I would take the enfield over the german mauser in a heart beat.

however there is just not a lot of information. german mausers in genuine condition normally sell for more than $1000 so either you've got a shop that has no idea what they are doing or you have a rifle that has been chopped up and drilled and tapped to make it more hunter friendly. 250 is not a bad asking price for an enfield in fair but still original condition.

Pharm · February 27, 2013, 03:53 PM

There's a chance that mauser isn't German at all, or at least not a K98 at that price unless it's altered or a missmatched import.

SC4006 · February 27, 2013, 04:02 PM

I don't know a whole lot about your two choices of rifles, but given the information you provided I'd choose the enfield.

Mauser8mm · February 27, 2013, 08:12 PM

Lee Enfields are very nice rifles, but the .303 is a rather expensive round. The Mauser is a nice shooter, the ammo is cheap, and is an excellent hunting round. I have a Mauser Sporter in 8mm and it is a great rifle. Definitely go for the Mauser, I got mine for $150 but the rear sight leaf was missing and it wasn't in the best condition in the world.

tahoe2 · February 28, 2013, 12:06 AM

Being a Mauser fan (5 of them) I would actually go for the Enfield if they were both in the same shape, otherwise the one in the best shape and/or best barrel would be my pick.
Recoil would be about the same with either, both are great rounds, and will kill game up to and including Elk & Moose at reasonable ranges, but I reload and if you don't, I believe 8mm to be more common.
Federal, Remington, Privi Partisan, Norma, & RWS are brands that I know of, plus a few surplus opportunities.

deerslayer303 · February 28, 2013, 12:33 AM

Well, I'm a partial Enfield guy myself. But, IF that is a K98 in reasonable condition, I would snap it up in a heart beat. But it may be another Mauser variant at that price. We just need more info to go on, to help you. As for hunting with one,......well check out my username

. I have hunted with a .303 since I was 14. It will get the job done if you do your part.

tahunua001 · February 28, 2013, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Lee Enfields are very nice rifles, but the .303 is a rather expensive round. The Mauser is a nice shooter, the ammo is cheap, and is an excellent hunting round. I have a Mauser Sporter in 8mm and it is a great rifle. Definitely go for the Mauser, I got mine for $150 but the rear sight leaf was missing and it wasn't in the best condition in the world.

this is complete and utter nonsense. both 303 and 8x57 have identical price patterns. they range from cheap PRVI for around $16 a box to federal or remington premium for over $30 a box. as far as hunting goes, anything that you can kill with an 8mm you can also kill with 303 brit at the same distances. if it's too powerful for 303 brit then odds are it's too much for an 8mm too.

madcratebuilder · February 28, 2013, 05:07 AM

8mm ammo used to be cheap, not any more. Too many machine guns converted to shoot cheap 8mm, it's all gone now.

I've managed to find about about 1.5K rounds of .303, FN on clips in bandoleers and loose HPX. Can't wait to shoot it up.

Both rifles are fun mil-surp shooters, the LE with the 10rd mag wins the fire power contest.

February 26, 2013, 01:33 PM	#1
sixteenacrewood Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Posts: 35	which to buy? I ran accross 2 nice rifles in my local gun store, both look to be in very nice condition and are there on consignment. They look to be unaltered, no rust or pitting, good color on the metal parts, nice wood, and very clean bores. One is a Lee Enfield 303 and the other is a German Mauser 8mm but looks shorter than ones I've seen online. They are asking $250 each I want a shooter that I could use for deer and wild pigs as well as for the range. I have no experience with either of the guns or calibers. What is the recoil like on these? Any advice? Thanks again Stephen

February 26, 2013, 01:47 PM	#2
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	German Mausers should not be short - but FN sold a lot of shorter models. Be aware that a certain US Mauser dealer produces "tanker Mausers" that have no historic value. That said, any decent Mauser is a steal at $250, you have to pay that for a Turkish model by now. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

February 26, 2013, 06:42 PM	#4
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	To give you an idea of the recoil it would helpful to know what you have shot. That being said, either the 303 British, or the Mauser (8MM) would be a lot like a comercial 30-06 without a recoil pad. The important thing is a proper, firm hold on either. Many that complain about the recoil of military rifles get hammered because they get sloppy with how they hold theme. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

February 27, 2013, 12:20 PM	#6
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I'm a little biased. I'm a huge enfield fan and cock on close designs in particular. I would take the enfield over the german mauser in a heart beat. however there is just not a lot of information. german mausers in genuine condition normally sell for more than $1000 so either you've got a shop that has no idea what they are doing or you have a rifle that has been chopped up and drilled and tapped to make it more hunter friendly. 250 is not a bad asking price for an enfield in fair but still original condition. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

February 27, 2013, 04:02 PM	#8
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	I don't know a whole lot about your two choices of rifles, but given the information you provided I'd choose the enfield. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

February 26, 2013, 02:33 PM	#3
sixteenacrewood Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Posts: 35	Thanks, deffinitly not a tanker. I have been looking at a few of the auction sites and think I may be mistaken about it being shorter. the first photos I looked at were a swedish mauser. so whats it like shooting these two rifles?

February 26, 2013, 07:35 PM	#5
sixteenacrewood Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Posts: 35	thanks cheapshooter I've shot most of the standard modern rounds, 30-06, 270 etc. most of my hunting is 100 yds or under, deep woods mostly, so I use a 30-30 most of the time, marlin 336 4-9x scope. I live out in the woods and own a bit of land. I just recently got interested in WW-II firearms after inhereting a 6.5 Carcano, I really like the style of these older bolt action guns and would like a few more to shoot and hunt with. I would like a Swedish 6.5 Mauser but ran accross the Enfield and the German Mauser today. I like the look of the Enfield a lot but have no knowledge to base a purchase on with these two rifle. The mauser seems to be easier to get ammo for. But I have read a few comments on the mauser being a bit punnishing on recoil.

February 27, 2013, 03:53 PM	#7
Pharm Member Join Date: February 5, 2013 Posts: 38	There's a chance that mauser isn't German at all, or at least not a K98 at that price unless it's altered or a missmatched import.

February 27, 2013, 08:12 PM	#9
Mauser8mm Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: Near Gainesville Fl. Posts: 224	Mauser!! Lee Enfields are very nice rifles, but the .303 is a rather expensive round. The Mauser is a nice shooter, the ammo is cheap, and is an excellent hunting round. I have a Mauser Sporter in 8mm and it is a great rifle. Definitely go for the Mauser, I got mine for $150 but the rear sight leaf was missing and it wasn't in the best condition in the world.

February 28, 2013, 12:06 AM	#10
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 661	Being a Mauser fan (5 of them) I would actually go for the Enfield if they were both in the same shape, otherwise the one in the best shape and/or best barrel would be my pick. Recoil would be about the same with either, both are great rounds, and will kill game up to and including Elk & Moose at reasonable ranges, but I reload and if you don't, I believe 8mm to be more common. Federal, Remington, Privi Partisan, Norma, & RWS are brands that I know of, plus a few surplus opportunities.

February 28, 2013, 12:33 AM	#11
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,653	Well, I'm a partial Enfield guy myself. But, IF that is a K98 in reasonable condition, I would snap it up in a heart beat. But it may be another Mauser variant at that price. We just need more info to go on, to help you. As for hunting with one,......well check out my username . I have hunted with a .303 since I was 14. It will get the job done if you do your part. __________________ "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." - Thomas Jefferson

February 28, 2013, 05:07 AM	#13
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	8mm ammo used to be cheap, not any more. Too many machine guns converted to shoot cheap 8mm, it's all gone now. I've managed to find about about 1.5K rounds of .303, FN on clips in bandoleers and loose HPX. Can't wait to shoot it up. Both rifles are fun mil-surp shooters, the LE with the 10rd mag wins the fire power contest.