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.

[rface]

7.62 x 54R FMJ at $4.50/box of 20 (Wolf)
or
$8.25/box of 20 for soft point hunting rounds. (S&B)

J&G sales

Ashland, Missouri

[g'nad]

Two words... 6.5 x .308 ...

[Tijeras_Slim]

In the 50's under NATO, some Enfields were manufactured with higher strength steel in .308 (7.62x51) same caliber as the M-14.

[dd5339]

Now you've gone and made me think, 6.5 * 308? You're talking of necking down the 308 to a 6.5, interesting!

I've been chewing over building a rifle around the new 300 WSM necked down to 6.5 mm. Shot a Remeington 700 set up that way and loved it. Am thinking that it would be a really great all around cartridge for most types of deer/antelope/elk hunting in North America.

Just my $0.02 though.

Semper Fi!

[Rebelbase]

I just checked out the Gibbs Rifle Co. . The .308 sport models look sweet!

[7.63Broom]

Wow. I come back from lunch and there are a lot of answers to my question. Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

I'd like to find one of those Israeli 98K's but haven't been able to find one. I ordered one through a company that advertised in Shotgun News but they sent my order back, saying that the FN's they had were worn out and not shootable. If anyone knows of a source for a .308 Mauser, please FReepmail me.

I really like reading the 2A threads on FR. It's the next best thing to sitting around with a bunch of "gun nuts" and talking shop. Thanks again, guys.

[ibbryn]

Spanish FR8. Large ring Mauser from around 1948ish (least mine are). .308. 5 round box mag. Relatively small. Built in flash suppressor. $175ish.

[WALLACE212]

Are those things safe? The FR8 was originaly chambered in the .30 cal CETME round, with an aluminum cored bullet and a MUCH lower chamber pressure from what I have heard. I have been told the .308 converts were iffy, possible eyeball removers.

[Wisconsin]

>>Two words... 6.5 x .308 ...

Hmm. Isn't that about a .257 Roberts? (.257 x 7mm) My favorite.

[ibbryn]

There is a ton of debate on this subject. Try rec.guns for details. Bottom line for me, I feel safe with mine.

[WALLACE212]

Yeah, I have heard extremes on either side of that debate. If you own and shoot one regularly, that says a lot more than a magazine article to me. Thanks for the info.

[Drew68]

The .308 sport models look sweet!

You're not kidding. I'd never heard of them before but they sure do make some beautiful rifles. I'm partial to the Quest II Extreme Carbine.

[CWRWinger]

Why convert? There's nothing wrong with the 7.62 x 54R ballistics. I understand the long barrel M39 Mosin is pretty accurate. I own (2) M44's; they are the most bang for the buck, though a bit squirrelly at 100 yards.

[g'nad]

Close...it's a .308 necked down to 6.5 mm...The precision weapons guys here are getting phenomenal performance outta semi-auto sniper weapons with the 6.5... The CWO5 said they were causin' serious hate and discontent overseas...I held one...shweeeet.....

[bandleader]

Dear 7.63Broom,There is an outfit called"R GUNS".They are running an ad in the April 2002 edition of"The American Rifleman".They are advertising pre-war FN Mfg.98K Mausers that were converted by The Israeli Gov't to 308 in the 1950's.The quality appears to be good.A"hand-picked"example would go for $149.00.Their e-mail is:rguns@voyager.net Good Luck and God Bless!!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Soft point, tracer, and AP is also available. As is match grade ammo.

[Deguello]

If you are looking for an inexpensive rifle in 308 that will out perform just about any other $2K machine, look for a Remington 788.

With the right loads, these rifles can shoot 1/4 inch groups or better. This model has not been made in over 25 years and can be picked up for a steal at Gun Shows. Just check the bore throughly.

The story is that the Head of Remington Manufacturing at that time was fired for spending too much on the gun. The same goes for the long action Model 78. Mine in 30-06 will print three shot groups that touch each other @100 yards.

We had found an excellent condition 788 for a buddy in 308, cleaned the bedding surface, used special techniques for bore cleaning and were able to get three shot groups that over-lap one another.

[Tijeras_Slim]

American Rifleman reviewed that one in the past year or so.

[in the Arena]

That is sweet...

Here's another from that site...I've been wanting a 45-70...hmmm

[Lurker]

.308 Enfields

I have one. It shoots great. It cost me less than 150 bucks.

L