Call me crazy but..8mm Mauser

[tkhuntsman]

I killed a cow back in the late 90s with a vintage 8mm Mauser my grandfather had given me. It had a sliding open sight and I spent an entire summer familiarizing myself with it and became quite proficient out to 200 yards. Back then the only ammo I could get in the remote area that I grew up was Winchester power points. It was heavy and I carried that sucker in my hands for 3 days before I finally got a chance and I shot a cow at about 120 yards. She went straight down and didn't even kick it's one of my fondest elk hunting memories and I was 16 at the time. I haven't hunted with that rifle since but I take it out several times a year to wipe it down and oil it. This thread reminds me I need to get that old girl back out again.

 

[PaulM]

Just a bit of an update. Two days ago loaned my 8mm mauser to a young friend for his elk hunt. He caught a herd of elk bedded but because of open country could only close to 453 yds on a bedded bull. Using my reloads (175grn Sierra Pro Hunter on top of 49.0grns of IMR 4064) he shot the bull. The bull is a nice heavy 6x6, and never got up after the shot (DRT). At that range the bullet still passed through so didn't get the bullet back.
In short. For anyone considering hunting with the 8mm mauser, I say do it! With the proper reload ammunition this is a fantastic big game rifle.

 

[Jnasa]

One of my hunting mentors successfully hunted elk with. 8mm Mauser his grandfather sporterized. He hunted a few seasons with it and took two cow elk I am aware of. I think a 3x9 scope like you mentioned would be adequate. Have fun and enjoy

 

[BradA]

Shot my first buck with a 8mm Mauser 20 plus years ago!

 

[44hunter45]

that 8 mag must pack a wallop! wont be seeing those velocities out of the mauser!

If you find a keg of RL 26 you have to buy a rifle to use it with.