Christmas gift from the grandfather

Yep I have lots of questions! Some may be obvious, but I'm not into guesswork or putting all my faith into "top 10" lists online, I like these discussions and learning from experienced folk

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That looks like a really nice piece.

You got a good grandpa
Nice gift

Thank you, yes I do he's a great man

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Scope - If it does not modify the rifle, if you can find a mount that works without modification then it is possible but then again I would not. It seems to me like you are a young guy, if this is the case then your eyes are probably fine to use iron sights. In Ontario I doubt you will be shooting at a deer over 100 yards if bush hunting so that being the case just use the irons and know where they hit. I remember being told that 100 yards with iron sights on a deer was an insane shot but we grew up shooting pop cans at 100 yards with iron sights using 22LR guns, irons are fine at 100 yards and beyond if you actually shoot the gun. The problem you may run into is low light conditions but the sight style has more of an effect then many believe and it all depends on that sight design.

I have one of those...picked it up at an estate auction for $60. The wood was in rough shape so I removed it and bedded the action onto a sniper rifle stock for range shooting.

Some good info in this thread from a few years back: https://www.oodmag.com/community/showthread.php?41456-Bedding-in-8-mm-Mauser-M98-(1917)

The Ammo , 8 x 57, is not that hard to find, I buy most of what I shoot at gun shows etc.

Without a scope it's a bit of a problem to shoot accurately (sub MOA) at 100 yds. The 'iron' sight is quit large and tend to block out the entire 6" black circle on most target paper. I have some home made panels (inverted 'V') that provide a better sight picture so it can group nicely with some practice.

Defiantly a good deer gun and you should at least notch it once with a kill..as every gun should be :)



edit add: I was typing while Fox posted his comments...he's right, it's not a problem hitting the 6" black circle at 100yds, a kill shot. But using iron sights don't expect tight groupings like you would get with a scope mounted.

Shot my first deer this year with an 8mm Mauser, used 196gr Sellier and Bellot rounds, dropped him right there, iron sights, sporterized already. Great big game gun all around. If you do go to the range at Colby let me know, I could meet you there sometime. Check out the thread from me from Nov in big game.
I wouldn't change anything on that gun, looks real nice for sure, just shoot it as is.

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

What are people's thoughts on the iron or open sights? It's been said that if I want it's possible to put a scope on it. But what are the thoughts in terms of ethics and shot placement? Obviously your skills are the biggest factor and then topography, wind, and other things come into play but let's just say I've got a great shot at 100 yards in the range, I'm confident and always hit within the desired area, then say I go into the field and it's calm, flat, no obstructions, is this a style of hunting that is deemed unethical or just not worth the risk without a scope? Do many guys out there make those shots or is it pretty much the consensus to put a scope on it unless your within say 100 yards? Just want to know what the consensus is on that shooting, while it can be fun and feel good to make open sight shots on range should it be avoided in field? And of course if I ever did try it would be after lots and lots of practice, I'm not about to just go do that on the fly

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As I mentioned, I use my Swedish Mauser for deer hunting occasionally. I have not put a scope on it yet, although I have looked into doing so, mostly to see how accurate the gun can shoot on the range since it seems to have some serious potential. When deer hunting with the open sights, I would be comfortable taking a 100 yard shot depending on how stable of a shooting position I can maintain and the lighting conditions. Using open sights will likely reduce your ability to hunt right at first and last light, especially if you are hunting in an area with low light to begin with. In good lighting, a 100 yard shot with open sights should not be a problem.

Fox - you got it, I'm 29 and have 20/20 vision! Thanks for your thoughts on that I appreciate it

Mikepal - I'm definitely more interested in getting a notch.on it than selling or just hanging it up after everything I've learned here today I'm drooling over that opportunity, looks like I'll be taking some vacation days this November to a buddy's up north to see what I can do! Also that's super cool what you did with the one you got, interesting read for sure!

Jems - great story man! That's awesome it was cool reading that knowing you shot these rounds and got your first deer, I hope the same happens for me! And I never shot anything this big I look forward to getting the crap kicked out of my shoulder haha I'll be in touch for when I go to Colby, nice controlled environment where I can get some rounds and try them out right there, would be cool doing that with someone quite familiar with it


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rf2

As I mentioned, I use my Swedish Mauser for deer hunting occasionally. I have not put a scope on it yet, although I have looked into doing so, mostly to see how accurate the gun can shoot on the range since it seems to have some serious potential. When deer hunting with the open sights, I would be comfortable taking a 100 yard shot depending on how stable of a shooting position I can maintain and the lighting conditions. Using open sights will likely reduce your ability to hunt right at first and last light, especially if you are hunting in an area with low light to begin with. In good lighting, a 100 yard shot with open sights should not be a problem.

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Thanks for all your thoughts on this, I had mixed feelings on open sights with big game mainly from inexperience, seemed okay in my head but figured I could be overlooking things, light was one of them something I'll be keeping in mind from now on

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