SAFN-49 newbie questions

[RangeRover]

I'm encouraged by the existing levels of conversation around the SAFN-49 on the boards here as it means perhaps I'm not all that crazy to be looking for one.

I'd be curious, at the risk of starting a debate that has had to be quenched earlier, about the relative merits of the 30.06 vs. 8mm versions of the firearm. I'm leaning toward the 30.06 but could be swayed. Big questions for me are:

- quality/reliability of the two calibres (especially in light of recent posts in various places about single-piece firing pins, slamfiring and resultant damage/injury)
- availability/cost of ammunition, and
- availability/cost of replacement parts.

For example, there's apparently an Egyptian 8mm for sale here in Alberta without a magazine. How difficult would it be to get a mag and stripper clips for it?

Any and all input welcomed.



Thanks.

[Badger]

I have a 30.06 version and I really like it....

Here's a couple of reference books.

The first one I have and I think it is a very good read.

The FN-49 The Last Elegant Old-World Military Rifle

SAFN-49 BATTLE RIFLE SHOOTERS & COLLECTORS GUIDE BOOK

Regards,
Badger

[Stevo]

Big questions for me are:

- quality/reliability of the two calibres (especially in light of recent posts in various places about single-piece firing pins, slamfiring and resultant damage/injury)
- availability/cost of ammunition, and
- availability/cost of replacement parts.

For example, there's apparently an Egyptian 8mm for sale here in Alberta without a magazine. How difficult would it be to get a mag and stripper clips for it?

Any and all input welcomed.

Thanks.

I've got an Egyptian 8mm and I quite like it.

-I've not heard any difference in quality or reliability between calibres. The one piece firing pin MAY be a liability, but can be replaced from somewhere like Numrich.
-I've seen much more 8x57 surplus than .30-06 at gunshows around here, but not that much of either, if you follow. If you have to buy commercial, you will pay about the same for both calibres. You may run into slamfire issues with soft commercial primers. Best to reload with CCI No 34 milspec primers. I've been hoarding surplus 8x57 for 20 years and I lucked into 2 cases of Romanian a couple years ago so my supply is secure.
-Parts for both are uncommon in Canada.

I've never seen a lone SAFN mag for sale. Chargers are a pain in the ***. K98 one's don't work but you can mod them with a Dremel to fit.

[diopter]

I have a 7mm and just got a 30 06, my brother has an 8mm.

The 8mm fired Czech milsurp ammo his K98k would not fire until the second hit on the primer. We'll try out the 30 06 tomorrow. No disappoints so far.

Check on parts availiability, caliber specific, before you buy the rifle.

Wayne Johnson's book is a must have.
http://www.fn49.com/

[sdh1911]

I'm with Stevo, I have the 8 mm and love it. Mine is strictly a mis-matched shooter. Combination of 8mm parts and 30/06 parts. I'm considering putting on an old pso-1 Romanian scope for a little x-tra help with these old eyes. I'm getting 2.5"@100 yards with it doing my part,, good luck either way, they are a blast-SDH

[guninhand]

I'm with Stevo, I have the 8 mm and love it. Mine is strictly a mis-matched shooter. Combination of 8mm parts and 30/06 parts. I'm considering putting on an old pso-1 Romanian scope for a little x-tra help with these old eyes. I'm getting 2.5"@100 yards with it doing my part,, good luck either way, they are a blast-SDH

I have several thousand rounds of 8X57 but some day it will be gone and reloading will be my only source of ammo. As I've got a dogpile of good 30-06 brass, anyone have opinions on getting my SAFN rechambered to 8mm-06?

[Dimitri]

E-Gun does have the magazine for the FN49 in 8mm and you do not need a export license from the US to export it cause its under 20 rounds, but the problem comes into play if it will cross the boarder being a 10 round magazine or not. And E-Gun Parts will not modify the magazine before they ship it.

I had this problem cause my FN49 rifles magazine was turned into police when requested in a letter from them many years ago, and I needed to find a replacement magazine for the rifle.

Dimitri