Gewehr Mod 98

[Treeman]

I have heard that the Gewehr Mod 98 Mauser cannot use the standard 8mm rounds. Is this true? If so, which round does it use?

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Old story, standard answer:

It is nothing to do with Gew 98 but was change for the Gew 88 family. Making the story short and simple:

The rifling used for the Gewehr 88s used a rifling profile + bullet size that was later altered (slightly thicker bullet for a better fit in the rifling, altered throat dimensions). The vast majority of 88s were altered ca. 1905 (which is why we have a forum member with the alias Gew8805).

There is absolutely no problem with standard 8x57mm ammo in a '98 - they were made for each other.

But please do not write

standard 8mm rounds

- there are other 8mm chamberings!

In fact, the correct designation is
8x57IS (sometimes seen as 8x57JS in German documentation) to distinguish it from the earlier 8x57I (or 8x57J)
Of course, these are rimless rounds. Although you are unlikely to find any outside German-speaking countries, there are also the rimed versions for hunting rifles:
8x57IR and 8x57 IRS
and...
8x48R, 8x57R360, 8x58R, 8x60, 8x60R, 8x64, 8x65R, 8x72R, 8x50R, 8x56R, 8x56 Mannlicher-Schönauer, 8mm Lebel - why there's even supposed to be an 8mm Rem. Mag! And these are ALL listed with CIP dimensions in the RWS/Dynamite Nobel reloaders manual!

[Aragorn243]

There were two rounds used in these. The older one was replaced in 1905 with what became the standard "IS" round. Older rifles had to have their sights changed to reflect the flatter trajectory for zeroing. If the rifle was produced after 1905, no adjustments needed. Prior to 1905 you may want to check the rear sight. If it has a small "S" stamped on the barrel behind the rear sight it's been changed.

[Treeman]

Thank you guys! The rifle is a 1917, so I guess I'm good to go. I appreciate the answers, this forum is great!

[Calif-Steve]

Try to find some Prizi Partisan 8mm Mauser. Very good new production ammo.

[steved409]

Also sometimes referred to as 7.92 X 51 (just to confuse you).

SteveD

[Patrick Chadwick]

Well, he will be confused!
The case has a nominal length of 57mm. No way you can round that off to 51!


A typo, I presume?

[jmoore]

Well, he will be confused!
The case has a nominal length of 57mm. No way you can round that off to 51!

A typo, I presume?

The NATO version? Shortened to take advantage of "modern" powders...:b

[Calif-Steve]

7.9x57mm. Get yourself 1-2 boxes of Prizi Partisan 8mm ammunition. Save the fired cases as they are easily re-loaded. Happy shooting.

[adrians]

i have a couple of both gew88's gew98's all of the above is A+ info. both my gew88's are .318 dia ( not 88/05 or88/14) so they were not "converted to shoot the spitser type .323 ammo) i have to handload for my 88's but it's fun.
the 98's were made for the 8x57 ammo ,oh wait switch that,, 8x57 for 98's.
shoot safe ..adrians