| Of all the millions of Mausers produced over the | | | | used in the new issue Mannlicher rifles and |
| years one of the most interesting is one that you | | | | carbines. It was produced in Thailand until 1953. If |
| don't hear about very often. The one major | | | | you have original ammo I would refrain from |
| feature that sets it apart from the rest is it was | | | | shooting it for a couple of reasons. First it |
| designed for a large rimmed cartridge. For some | | | | corrosive without a doubt and it might not go off. |
| reason the Siamese opted for a rimmed cartridge | | | | Also if its in original packing it is too valuable to |
| although the action is essentially a standard 98. | | | | shoot. |
| That feature makes it a desirable gun to convert | | | | Like all guns the proof in the pudding is in the |
| to large rimmed cartridges as it possesses the | | | | shooting. Cases are not available but can be made |
| legendary strength and safety features of the 98. | | | | from 348 brass. It does take some work to |
| The problem with that is there are only so many | | | | accomplish this but there is no option other then |
| out there and it's a shame to cut down and | | | | that. I use standard 8mm bullets with complete |
| sporterize a pristine rifle. If it's already been | | | | satisfaction. With modern loads and good brass it |
| hacked up then no harm no foul. The action is | | | | will compare favorably with any other 8 mm |
| capable of any modern rimmed cartridge given a | | | | military round. The round is a capable hunting |
| little common sense. I worked with one in the | | | | round with good loads and proper bullets. There is |
| 45-70 some years back and drove a 400 grain | | | | no reason that you couldn't take an elk at |
| bullet at over 2400 feet per second without a | | | | moderate ranges with it. Like many military rifles |
| problem. I was toying on the idea of a 35-348 | | | | it handles cast bullets very well. |
| Ackley improved at one time but never did it. | | | | Operation of the gun is just like any other 98 |
| I have an original rifle and it will stay that way as | | | | Mauser in spite of being a rimmed cartridge. The |
| long as I own it. The first version came out in | | | | bolt face is larger due to the rimmed cartridge |
| 1902 and was the 8 X 50. It used a round nose | | | | though it resembles the 98 in most other ways. |
| bullet of 321 in diameter weighing about 237 grains | | | | The sights like most military arms are nothing to |
| a typical 8mm of the period. Its rated velocity | | | | write home about. The trigger is a military with a |
| was 2050 with about 2200 Ft Lbs of energy. In | | | | lot of travel before engaging but once you get |
| 1923 the case was lengthened to 52 mm and a | | | | use to it it's not too bad. It does break |
| pointed bullet was added improving the | | | | consistently though. The gun was never meant to |
| downrange energy. Load. Many of the older guns | | | | be a target rifle and it isn't. |
| were rechambered to the newer round thus | | | | It was manufactured in the Thailand Arsenal the |
| saving them from buying a whole new rifle. The | | | | first cartridge be made there. During WW ll the |
| bullet weighed about 181 grains with a velocity of | | | | machinery was hid in the hills to avoid the Japs |
| 2250 with 2600 Ft Lbs of energy an | | | | and then moved back to Bangkok afterwards. It |
| improvement over the older load. This round was | | | | is a worthwhile addition to any collection as |
| adapted to various weapons including the Madsen, | | | | originals are fairly rare. |
| Browning and Vickers machine guns. It was also | | | | |