Mauser 98 .243

[NukeBOMB88]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what people's thoughts on a Mauser 98 chambered in .243 as my first deer rifle? From what I can see on the holts gun shop website the gun is in very good condition. It has an Ajak 6 x42 Scope and the asking price is $550. Would this be a good gun to get? Good price?

Thanks,
Nuke

[MeccaOz]

Im not a Victorian, but Im not sure you can hunt all the deer species with a .243 over there. On the flip side, you have to a good Mauser

[NukeBOMB88]

This is from the Depi Vic website.

for Sambar, Rusa and Red Deer, a minimum calibre of .270" (6.84 mm) with a minimum projectile weight of 130 grains (8.45 grams).
for Chital, Fallow and Hog Deer, a minimum calibre of .243" (6.17 mm) with a minimum projectile weight of 80 grains (5.18 grams).

I only want to hunt is Fallow so I'd be okay with the .243.

[yoshie]

My first hunting rifle was a BRNO (very similar to a 98) in 243. It was ok, but I eventually out grew the cartridge and got a 30-06. The 243 with heavy bullets will take just about everything point at it (except maybe Sambhar) and will shoot further than you. Recoil is quite manageable, but it will be fairly noisy. Factory ammo is available everywhere and it's a cinch to reload. It will make a great hunting rifle to start out with, but you will eventually want something more.

[NukeBOMB88]

Yeah I'm sure that I will eventually want to go bigger but I'm sure that the .243 will be enough for now

[yoshie]

Just make sure you use heavy for weight bullets. 87 and up and you'll be ok

[NukeBOMB88]

Thanks , I won't be doing long range shooting so I'll go with the 100grainers probably

[VICHunter]

.243 is an excellent small game cartridge, especially with the right pills.

95-100 grain loads with the right bullet are plenty for the 3 smaller deer species here in VIC.

[AusC]

95-100 grain loads with the right bullet are plenty for the 3 smaller deer species here in VIC.

Agree.

Hog, Chital and Fallow are about 50kg, 70kg or 90kg at their largest. Not what you'd call giants.

The way some people carry on about suitable deer cartridges you'd think they're all 600kg Sambar.

[Old Fart]

100gr .243 will make short work of any Fallow.

90kg is pretty for a fallow TBH too.

I would say about 45kg is more common for does, 75kg or something for bucks.

No worries.

[Chronos]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what people's thoughts on a Mauser 98 chambered in .243 as my first deer rifle? From what I can see on the holts gun shop website the gun is in very good condition. It has an Ajak 6 x42 Scope and the asking price is $550. Would this be a good gun to get? Good price?

Thanks,
Nuke

Looking through this thread is say most replies concentrate on the caliber choice and don't address your question.

Which is "Would this be a good gun to get?"

Here's the ad for others to see



The condition of the rifle is listed as good but from the pic it appears to have poor bluing on the receiver and the front of the barrel. This could well be an indicator that the rifle has done its fair share of work and its possible the bore is in as poor condition though not absolute.

I've never heard of the Ajak scope and google reveals little.

Given the damp conditions you'll most likely encounter hunting deer in Victoria I'd suggest maybe look at a new stainless rifle like a Howa and fit a variable scope in the 2-7 or 3-9 range. May cost you a little more but at least you'll know what you're getting.

Chronos

[NukeBOMB88]

Yeah a new rifle would be better, I was just wondering if this might be a more affordable option considering that I don't need super accuracy or range and I won't be doing heaps of shooting.

I would probably get better optics and maybe even get it reblued if the bore is still good.

I guess that if the bore is still in good condition I would be able to get good accuracy? Or would It be not at all accurate simply due to its age?

Thanks,
Nuke

[Old Fart]

Conditions more important that it being new.

IMO.

I'll take a good condition old rifle over a neglected recent one any day.

[Warrigul]

Condition's more important that it being new.

IMO.

I'll take a good condition old rifle over a neglected recent one any day.

Yep, a bit of bluing off may only be the fact it has been carted around the bush for 20 seasons only firing less than 100 shots. I have seen range rifles or spotlighting in excellent condition outside with shot out barrels after only a couple of years.

Mind you there is no way to tell from a picture what a rifle is really like.

[Deco]

Mind you there is no way to tell from a picture what a rifle is really like.

I see quite a few people post group photos with rifles when selling them second hand.

Good practice IMO.

Confidence for the buy, quicker sale for the seller.

[Sender]

Yep, a bit of bluing off may only be the fact it has been carted around the bush for 20 seasons only firing less than 100 shots.

Agree.

I'd be more dubious for a bench rifle where it's likely fired thousands of rounds over the years.

For a hunting rifle though they can be years old in time, but as new (or close enough) in condition.

[bunnybuster]

Mauser 98,excellent design,copied by most modern front locking actions,massive extractor,the whole thing built like a brick sh--military rifle.

Find out where/when the action was made,I would steer clear of Chinese,Ankara,and post '44 German actions.It sounds like a sporter built in Germany with an Ajak scope [ old school German quality ] and probably vg mounts as well.It might have metric dia body and rings.If it passes the first questions, the bore condition is critical,how many points out of 10 will the seller rate it ?

You don't want to buy something you need to rebarrel unless it's priced accordingly and this isn't. Many 98's were converted to sporters post '45, and marketed under various names.

I regret selling my '98, but there might be another in the future.

Be Safe,
BB.

[Igoe]

If it's not shot out, that's a pretty good price. I paid $600 for a Brno 243 in good condition with a crappy scope a few years ago. Lovely old rifle, and I love shooting it.

If it's no good, you can buy a brand new Ruger American or Weatherby Vanguard under $600, and new Howa for not much more.

Since it will be your deer rifle, you may as well look at 270 upwards so you can go for sambar as well.