7.62X51 or .308 Mausers

[tombogan03884]

If I ever get back to work, I need to pick up a rifle. It needs to be inexpensive, with a common caliber and I would like to be able to hunt deer, or moose and enter some local service rifle matches with it.
The standard  8mm Mauser answers all those needs but I would prefer 7.62x51 for the lighter recoil than the 180+ grain 8mm bullet.
I have heard about the Israeli Mausers that were rebarreled and are on the surplus market.
Does any one have any experience with them, are they beat to crap or good shooters ? What price range are they in ? I don't want "Sporterized" I think the military stock looks better. If I can't find one what kind of cost would I be looking at to get a standard 8mm rebarreled with the military sights.
Why doesn't every one just post everything you know about Mauser Rifles ?

[Hazcat]

Find an Ishapore!  Detachable 10 or 12 round box mags, accurate, inexpensive.  What more do ya want?

[david86440]

I have 2 8mm Mausers, but both have been sporterized.........I was thinking about re-barreling one of them into something other than 8mm.

[Hazcat]

Dave,

Bought for 170.00, Delivered to my door!  7.62 x 51 ( .308)

[tombogan03884]

 I've had a couple of Enfields, .303 AND .308, but I don't care for the looks of them, I would go for the 8mm rather than an Enfield or Ishy.
Note that it is entirely because of the lines, not a slam, or even complaint about the design.

I've had a couple of 8mm Mausers over the years, and in the mid 80's I paid $100 for a like new model 1895 Chilean Mauser in 7 X 57
finish was 100% one noticeable ding in the stock, it was a nice shooter but it was almost 5 feet long, If I found a carbine version of that I would snag it.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

How can a .308 Mauser meet the standards of service rifle when they were never built in that caliber?

[tombogan03884]

Don't really know if it would but I thought it might qualify since the Israelis used them from the 40's till the 60's

[david86440]

Here are my 2 8mm Mausers.

The top one was my very first deer rifle that my father gave me over 45 yrs ago.

They have both shot lots of Maine whitetails.

[Badgersmilk]

I'm a little confused, who actually made a short action Mauser?  I've got an 8mm "Mitchell's Mauser" I'm wanting to say is a long action...  I'll check though. 

If the 8mm is a long action .308 is out for caliber choices unless your using it as a single shot.  Right?

[Hazcat]

Here are my 2 8mm Mausers.

The top one was my very first deer rifle that my father gave me over 45 yrs ago.

They have both shot lots of Maine whitetails.

Those are BEAUTIES!  Count me jealous!