Mosin Nagant Rifles: Can they be converted to .308 NATO?

4/9/02 | 7.63Broom

[7.63Broom]

I've been looking for a good Mauser in .308 and have had no luck. The Mosin Nagant rifles are numerous and cheap, but they fire the 7.62x54R round. I'm wondering if one of these rifles would be a good candidate for conversion to .308 NATO. I would like to hear from anyone with any information on such a conversion.

[Cpu]

DON'T.

The bore size is different, the Ruskie is rimmed the NATO is rimless and the NATO pressure is WAY higher.

Big 5 Sporting Goods here in Seattle is selling Bruno M98's in 8mm for $50-80. A much better bet. They sell the Turk 98's as low as $40 on sale.

Just my $.02.

cpu

[genefromjersey]

Sounds like a BAD idea. Stick to the original ammo for these old clunkers: keeping in mind they were WWI and WWII issue.

It wouldn't hurt to have a competent gunsmith check the rascal over, as well !

[aomagrat]

A friend of mine bought a Spanish Mauser converted to 30-06. It blew up the first time he fired it. Lucky he wasn't hurt.

[spqrzilla9]

Conversions that have different cartridge head measurements are not cost effective. The 7.62x54R is a rimmed cartridge and an example of a non-economic conversion. There are some 7.62 NATO Mauser 98's at decent prices, look for Israeli army surplus, they converted a bunch in the late '40's and early '50's.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Why? 7.62X54R is dirt cheap.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Other possible items are .308 Reconditioned Enfield Jungle Carbines by Gibbs Rifle Co. and getting a 1903 Springfield (30-06) from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. I think I have also seen some .308 Garand M-1s in the CMP listings. I don't know about converting one, but K98's, new Yugoslav manufacture (new but old) are out there. Before this thread is over you'll have more info and opinions than you suspected possible! :)

[Don Carlos]

I bet if ya smack the bolt on that Mosin hard enough, the 7.62 NATO will go right in! Just kidding, DONT DO THAT!

As cheap as the Mosin is, and the ammo as well, why bother to convert it. 7.62 X 54 is cheap range fodder, as is 8MM Mauser, and both rifles are available at very attractive prices through surplus outlets. I recently bought a Yugo M48-A for $110 plus shipping.

Cheap fun!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Good point. You might be limited to military ball, but its plentiful.

[STD]

Poor steel, poor action and a good wall hanger

[Tijeras_Slim]

I bet if ya smack the bolt on that Mosin hard enough, the 7.62 NATO will go right in!

You got that out of Headspacing for Dummies! :)

[earplug]

You might consider leaving the Mosin in 7.62/54. Ammo is cheap and it is close to 30/06 in power. Some interesting scopes and mounts are available. A converted Enfield may suit your desire for a cheap .308

[JSteff]

Do they deal over the Internet?

[Don Carlos]

Ill have you to know, I get all my data from manuals that begin with "...for dummies"!

[dd5339]

JSteff,

Check out a publication called Gun List. All sorts of good stuff in there. It should be available at your local Borders Bookstore.

Of course, in order to place an order with any of the firearms distributors in there you will need to run the transaction through your local friendly FFL holder first.
Check out the local gun shows if you have them in your area. I ended up buying a German K-98 converted to 30'06 for $100 last fall. It shoots great!

Semper Fi!

[Rebelbase]

What kind of range does that .308 Enfield have? I saw a Mark III (I think it was a III) yesterday and I liked the lightweight aspect compared to Mausers.

[45Auto]

Anything that shoots can be converted to something else that shoots. The only barriers are money and time and headaches. If you want to spend $1000 - $2500 you can have the Nagant stripped to its action, a new bolt can be manufactered or the old one modified to the .308 Win (7.62 Nato) rim, and the action re-barreled, re-chambered and re-stocked by a competent gunsmith. However, once you did all this, you would have a $2000 Nagant worth about $200. My advice: Buy a new Remington 700 chambered in .308 and save about $1000!

[WALLACE212]

I picked up a Ishapor 2A in .308. Smoking little gun. Recoil belies its weight, action is a charm just like any Enfield. Accurate as hell, no formal group size but I would guess around 2 inches. If you want a bolt-action battle rifle in .308, one of these would be my recommendation. They are a bit hard to find though.

[WALLACE212]

And to answer your question, I have made a 350 yd. shot with iron, the sights dial out to 800 yds.