Christmas gift from the grandfather

Got this gifted to me from my grandpa, he got it off his barber. Heard his barber was selling it and asked me if I wanted it. Hummed and hawed as it seemed like a bit too much gun for me at this point, he got it for me anyways since it was so cheap. So just want to see what you guys think and what experiences you may have with it..

It's made in 1944, a German Mauser M98.

Did my research and it's a 7.92x5 mm, from my understanding it's commonly called an 8mm round, which converted equals roughly .312

So who has one? Who shot one? Anyone hunt with it? Would this be a good gun for larger game like moose one day or black bear? It appears to me drooling over it constantly that it is in great condition but not a super common round, available but limited. Is this something that can take a scope or does that take some work to install it, or do people just use the iron sights within a certain range? Whether I hunt with it or not should be fun at the range at least!Attachment 34232

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Looks to be in great condition!!! Nice gift.

Yeah it was really cool of him to do that, showed up at my house on Christmas eve with it in a new case and a bow on it with a big grin while looking shifty eyes at the neighbors haha, sweet old bugger

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8mm Mauser was a common chambering for the service rifles used in both WWI, WWII, the Spanish Civil war, etc.

While there isn't a ton of commercially available ammunition for it, there is a fair bit.

What you have though, is a very nicely kept example. Too heavy to be used as a hunting arm, most folks would have re-stocked it, and "sporterized" it. Keep it exactly the way it is. It's gorgeous, even if you only take it out once in a while to shoot it.

And it's actually. 7.92x57

Nice score on the Mauser, here is a link to a site for them with a lot of good info:

http://www.mausercentral.com/index.htm

BTW Ragnor Lothbrook wants his socks back.

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Originally Posted by Marker

BTW Ragnor Lothbrook wants his socks back.

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Hahaahaha.....

Hahaha I love my new woolies! That was in a gift bag behind grandpa from grandma, knitted for me in camo colours!

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Better known as a K98, starting to get up there as a collectors piece and that one is beautiful. The older ones had a .318 bore and the WWII ones were .323 but worth a check to verify. As others have said this is better known here as an 8mm Mauser round, very find round but loaded down for older rifles with a .318 bore and weaker action then what you have there.

Very nice

Beautiful rifle. Do you know if the numbers on the various parts all match? The stock has likely been refinished, but nevertheless, that is a nice rifle. You can get a scout-type scope mount which doesn't require any modifications to the gun other than temporarily removing the rear sight. You would need to buy a long eye relief scope to use this type of mount. It's a bit of cost and work to find the parts, but it can be done if you really want to scope it without modifying it.
I have a Swedish M38 Mauser (6.5X55 mm) which I occasionally carry for deer hunting. It's heavy too, but probably a bit lighter than yours. If I were you I would consider using your rifle for deer hunting - maybe not all the time, but once in a while.

There's a number stamped all over it on about every part, all matches, seems to be the original leather strap too from what I can tell. Of course I'm going to bring it into shooters choice for an up close and personal opinion and hopefully buy some rounds and use their range a bit to get a feel for it, get their opinions and thoughts on all the minor details of it but I wanted to show you guys first and see what people had to say about it to help with the learning process on this. I would love to hunt with it if it made sense, I've got a buddy who recently moved up north where there is a week long open rifle season and if I can use this well then I better book my holidays quick. Heavy yes, but I don't mind a little hard work and suffering, my outdoors background before hunting is a canoe tripper, used to carrying heavy barrels and canoes up and down hill up to 5 km on my longest portage. I wouldn't exclusively use this forever but it would be great to make a meal for my grandpa and give him some of my harvest with the rifle he gifted me, just feels right and worth it to do that for him and work hard to do so

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None of the "guns from my grandpa" stories I've heard end with a K98 at the finish line! Wow.. Those rifles are beautiful, and depending on (as rf2 eluded) whether or not it's all matching, the condition of the bore, markings, etc...it could be worth allot. It's valuable either way, and you're a lucky man to own it. Do NOT modify it in any way, and do your best to learn about these guns..the history of that particular gun (lots of resources online) etc. Do NOT even consider selling it either until you know everything about the one you have, have shot it a bunch of times, and, have had a good number of years with it in your collection. I have a hunch that (at this point) a rifle like this is "not your thing", but I could see it being gun you'd very much regret selling down the road.

Congrats!

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

There's a number stamped all over it on about every part, all matches, seems to be the original leather strap too from what I can tell. Of course I'm going to bring it into shooters choice for an up close and personal opinion and hopefully buy some rounds and use their range a bit to get a feel for it, get their opinions and thoughts on all the minor details of it but I wanted to show you guys first and see what people had to say about it to help with the learning process on this. I would love to hunt with it if it made sense, I've got a buddy who recently moved up north where there is a week long open rifle season and if I can use this well then I better book my holidays quick. Heavy yes, but I don't mind a little hard work and suffering, my outdoors background before hunting is a canoe tripper, used to carrying heavy barrels and canoes up and down hill up to 5 km on my longest portage. I wouldn't exclusively use this forever but it would be great to make a meal for my grandpa and give him some of my harvest with the rifle he gifted me, just feels right and worth it to do that for him and work hard to do so

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I might suggest you pass on that, and check the MILSURP section of CGN. Be prepared to post photos/close-ups, you'll get all the info you need.

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Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer

I might suggest you pass on that, and check the MILSURP section of CGN. Be prepared to post photos/close-ups, you'll get all the info you need.

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I agree with this, they are a shop that buys and sells, they will tell you what they will give you for it, I doubt they will have much more info than that for you.

Some of the buys on CGN live and breath this stuff, there is a ton of knowledge on there.

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Originally Posted by Fox

I agree with this, they are a shop that buys and sells, they will tell you what they will give you for it, I doubt they will have much more info than that for you.

Some of the buys on CGN live and breath this stuff, there is a ton of knowledge on there.

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^^^ +1

The milsurp guys on CGN are the best bet.

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Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer

None of the "guns from my grandpa" stories I've heard end with a K98 at the finish line! Wow..

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I thought that too, I ended up with a lot of broken and rusted guns, ha ha.

Thanks a lot everyone once again your all a huge help and I love these discussions. I did already have reservations about that shop as they are out to make money like the rest of us. I could have a great rifle everyone thinks is great and someone at a shop will say no and try to push a sale on me. And as grousewhisperer said it may not be for me at this time that's true, I don't have tons of time and access where it can be used and the majority of deer hunting in the future would most likely be during the long SWO bow season. But I have no issues.with it sitting in the cabinet waiting for the perfect opportunity, I'm not interested in selling at this point unless I learned enough and had an offer that could finance something else I would want but it's currently not for sale haha I'll definitely check out CGN and see what I can learn, supply lots of photos. Just learning about these things and the history is a hobby in itself, and I love every aspect of this stuff it's real exciting.

And yeah this isn't a typical passed down from grandpa, he got it from a collector who's slowly but surely downsizing and I know he got a killer deal and even said if I find out its worth a good amount to someone and I can make a few bucks to get exactly what I want and will use he will be just as if not more happy to have helped

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If your grandfather got it from a collector for a really good deal, it's likely that it's not a true collector item, but who cares. It's a nice, good quality functional rifle. Shoot it and enjoy it.

Or maybe it's the other way and he's not a true collector but just someone who had some guns laying around.he doesn't want anymore ;)
either way I'm not concerned with what it's worth. I like it, beautiful gun, and I just want to be able to hunt with it, if only once and one deer, even if I don't get it on my first second or third go, I'll give it all I got!

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

Or maybe it's the other way and he's not a true collector but just someone who had some guns laying around.he doesn't want anymore ;)
either way I'm not concerned with what it's worth. I like it, beautiful gun, and I just want to be able to hunt with it, if only once and one deer, even if I don't get it on my first second or third go, I'll give it all I got!

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Ammo is not that hard to find, not as easy as 30-06 but the factory ammo is easily a deer rifle, for moose you would be fine with European ammo (loaded hotter) or hand loads, just make sure that your gun is safe to shoot .323 bullets before going hotter with it.

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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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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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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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

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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For a long time there was not another option and somehow big game were still killed :D

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

Got this gifted to me from my grandpa, he got it off his barber. Heard his barber was selling it and asked me if I wanted it. Hummed and hawed as it seemed like a bit too much gun for me at this point, he got it for me anyways since it was so cheap. So just want to see what you guys think and what experiences you may have with it..

It's made in 1944, a German Mauser M98.

Did my research and it's a 7.92x5 mm, from my understanding it's commonly called an 8mm round, which converted equals roughly .312

So who has one? Who shot one? Anyone hunt with it? Would this be a good gun for larger game like moose one day or black bear? It appears to me drooling over it constantly that it is in great condition but not a super common round, available but limited. Is this something that can take a scope or does that take some work to install it, or do people just use the iron sights within a certain range? Whether I hunt with it or not should be fun at the range at least!Attachment 34232

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They say that the 30-06 can take on any type of game on the North American continent,
The 8 mm Mauser is ballistic identical to the 30-06. The 30-06 which is a .30 caliber can handle jacketed bullet weights up to 220 grains. The 8 mm Mauser which is .32 caliber tops out with jacketed bullet at 225 grains. I have a Spanish Air Force carbine version of the gun, for which I initially picked up a LEE KAR 98 mold. It was suppose to drop a 215 grain slug, but any I’ve ever weighted ran to 230 grains plus. The only problem is they are a flat nose and don’t fee well. I’ve since acquired molds for a 168 grain Loverin and 180 grain Spitzer, but haven't as yet test either of the slugs out. I think you will have a lot of fun at the range with yours, tune to the right ammunition, it should be a real tack driver, what can I say it’s a Mauser. There shouldn’t be a problem with setting a scope to it. Myself I enjoy the open sights especially in the bush.


You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting
- Gun Nut.

Unless you're hunting in open fields or clear cuts the majority of shot opportunities at deer will be well under 100 yards in Ontario. 70 yards is a long shot in the bush. I wouldn't worry about a scope. Get some practice on the range and try a few hunts with it. It'll be a very rewarding experience for you to shoot a deer with it the way it is.

Awesome gift!

So just an update for those interested..

I joined up with CGN and posted the gun with photos to see what the milsurp guys have to say. Basically it looks completely original but it technically isn't. It's an East German rebuild with parts from WW2 that were in excellent condition. Rebuilt during the cold war. Still though it's an impressive peice and they say it's quite the find. Some guys said you can sell these for 500-700 roughly, even some crappie tires have them for 699. And then I get a message from a guy in Alberta who's willing to drop $1000 instantly on it and is practically begging me to sell it to him. I don't necessarily want to but it's tough to turn down that money when if I play my cards right I could get a bow and possibly another deer rifle for that money. But I just don't feel ready to sell I just got it! And if he's begging that fast what else would someone offer? Or what would be offered in 5,10, 25 years if I keep it in this condition? But then again is it worth holding onto for a long time for maybe 2 or 3 maybe even 5 grand when I'm currently not hurting for money and don't expect to be hurting for money later in my life. Feels like a dilemma but a good one! Hard to sell, hard to say no to selling. Gaaaaah!

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

So just an update for those interested..

I joined up with CGN and posted the gun with photos to see what the milsurp guys have to say. Basically it looks completely original but it technically isn't. It's an East German rebuild with parts from WW2 that were in excellent condition. Rebuilt during the cold war. Still though it's an impressive peice and they say it's quite the find. Some guys said you can sell these for 500-700 roughly, even some crappie tires have them for 699. And then I get a message from a guy in Alberta who's willing to drop $1000 instantly on it and is practically begging me to sell it to him. I don't necessarily want to but it's tough to turn down that money when if I play my cards right I could get a bow and possibly another deer rifle for that money. But I just don't feel ready to sell I just got it! And if he's begging that fast what else would someone offer? Or what would be offered in 5,10, 25 years if I keep it in this condition? But then again is it worth holding onto for a long time for maybe 2 or 3 maybe even 5 grand when I'm currently not hurting for money and don't expect to be hurting for money later in my life. Feels like a dilemma but a good one! Hard to sell, hard to say no to selling. Gaaaaah!

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Guy offered you $1000?

Numbers don't match? Take it, get the PAL#, and EMT and ship it.

Who knows why the guy want's it. At this point, who cares. Likely your grandpa didn't pay that, and he's even on board if you're able to parley it into something like a nice CZ550 in .308, or Tikka T3, and have some change left over.

I was wondering about it's production. I notice there was a piece of wood missing on it that runs from the receiver ring down along the back sight platform, but it still looks quite impressive.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

Beware the offer that is too good to be true! What's his trader rating?

His positive feedback is 97%, only 1 out of 32 is negative feedback. Does seem too good to be true unless this is just the type of guy where money doesn't matter and he can use it to get his way! He literally said please please please with sugar on top lol he really wants it but understands me not making a snap decision

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

His positive feedback is 97%, only 1 out of 32 is negative feedback. Does seem too good to be true unless this is just the type of guy where money doesn't matter and he can use it to get his way! He literally said please please please with sugar on top lol he really wants it but understands me not making a snap decision

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Like I said. Who knows why some guys want what they do.

Maybe he had one like it and sold it ( we've all done that). Maybe his grandpa had one....

Take the $1000.....it can sit in your safe for the next few years or decade, and not be worth much more than that.

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Originally Posted by RiverRat88

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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^I think you're OVER-thinking this. Clean the gun, get some ammo for it, set-up some reactive targets (cheap/colorful pop cans..full.. :) ) at 100 yards and try the thing out.

EDIT: Just read your CGN story.. If it's worth $1,000 to somebody instantly..it likely will still be in a year's time when you've had some time to use it. Tikkas are wicked, current/modern-production guns and you can get them everywhere. K98s~less so. lol Your gun/your call though. You can't get that gun back once she's gone.

Personally I could never sell a gift from Grandpa, then again I have lost both of mine and cherish anything that they gave me or was theirs.

That's something that makes it tough, he said he's happy if I do and make money to finance something else I really want and will definitely use. It also wasn't his he bought it for me. But I'm really thinking it will be sold someday if someone out there makes a great offer and really wants it. But for now I'm not desperate for money and taking a deer with the rifle he got me and sharing it with him is worth more than a grand for sure. Hard to pass up the money when I'm in the market for a bow or a modern deer rifle but hey I'm not desperate, ill be fine, I'd rather use it and do something nice in return to him I. E. Sharing the quarry.

And GW your right bud, I'm toooootally over thinking a lot of aspects of this, kind of a good/and bad habit of mine that sometimes is worth other times I need to relax. But as you guys know I'm only a couple years into the firearm game and if I over think anything in my life it's going to be guns. Even if I seem silly I'd rather be silly and safe at the same time. But man you've got me itching to shoot some pop cans now or anything that will blow up/burst/shatter holy crap I bet I could make a lot of apple sauce hehe

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Apple sauce reference..

Back in the fall me and my wife and her sister went to their grandfathers hunting property with him to do some target shooting with my guns and his it was the girls first time shooting we were shooting at paper targets at 25 yards after a few shots my wife was hitting the bull's-eye no problem with my 22 then she noticed her grandfather's giant bag of apples in his shed where his range is set up. She asked him if we could shoot a couple and he didn't mind because they have just been going into Deer feed. we set them up on a log and on her first shot she hit one dead center while still sitting and holding up the rifle she slowly turned her head towards me and with a steely-eyed look said applesauce b****. It was absolutely hilarious she always makes me laugh but that one had me holding my gut haha

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Well another update...
It's sold! I was worried about hunting with it and damaging it in the slightest, thus lowering value. I talked it over with my gramps and he insisted I go ahead and sell to finance something that will be used and kept. So I sold it for a grand after finding it was worth about 600-700. And what do you know grandpa's friend said he's got another for us to buy at the same price but it's even older and still great condition. I'll be buying this one and seeing what I can get for it. Grandpa even cracked a joke that we should just start our own online gun trading company haha.

So I ended up buying a package off a guy, some of it may be only good for practice. I got a crossbow, compound, tree stand and layout blind from a guy.
The crossbow seems great nothing fancy or a top name brand. He said he's taken deer with it and his friend before him took a couple. It's made by m-tech USA. Did some digging around and yeah this is a cheapy haha company's full name is master cutlery USA haha hahaha and they make crossbows. It's got a 150 lb draw weight, online says 210 fps, has some practice bolts and a few he hunted with broadheads on them. Needs a scope on it which I'll get around to. Nice solid wood stock on it and like I said no frills to it just a crossbow and quiver. I'll practice with it, have some fun.

Can bow shops test draw weight and fps? Or would a shop just laugh at me and say buy a good one?

The compound is pro sports archery. Not brand new but seems pretty decent. Looks like the company doesn't even exist now I think they were from Winnipeg. Anyone familiar with this brand? It's got a cheap sight but pretty much everything else needed is on it. Should get restringed I would imagine to be safe. Can bow shops also check this out for draw weight and help sighting in a new sight? Or will they say the same thing that I should just get a new one? I don't know a ton about them I'm not experienced but it seems pretty good. It will be fun to practice with and maybe maybe hunt with one day or upgrade when I feel confident.

I'm hoping to find a slug barrel too for my mossberg 500 but it's older and I've been told the same thing, just buy a new combo. It's tough to do so when I have a great 12 GA already it just seems why buy a new one? Any thoughts on any of these things?

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While I can't comment on the archery gear as I'm not familiar with those brands, I can make a suggestion on the slug barrel idea. If you're going to hunt both deer and waterfowl (or turkey) with any regularity, you'll soon tire of changing barrels and trying to have a "do it all" type of shotgun. Get yourself a dedicated slug gun and don't look back. The Savage 220 are a great choice and the H&R Ultra Slug Hunters are excellent as well. The H&R are getting much harder to find though, as I don't think they are made any more. Plus, if you buy a 20 gauge slug gun you won't feel like you are doubling up on the 12 gauge. A 20 gauge slug gun won't beat you up like a 12 either. Just a suggestion.

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Originally Posted by GW11

While I can't comment on the archery gear as I'm not familiar with those brands, I can make a suggestion on the slug barrel idea. If you're going to hunt both deer and waterfowl (or turkey) with any regularity, you'll soon tire of changing barrels and trying to have a "do it all" type of shotgun. Get yourself a dedicated slug gun and don't look back. The Savage 220 are a great choice and the H&R Ultra Slug Hunters are excellent as well. The H&R are getting much harder to find though, as I don't think they are made any more. Plus, if you buy a 20 gauge slug gun you won't feel like you are doubling up on the 12 gauge. A 20 gauge slug gun won't beat you up like a 12 either. Just a suggestion.

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You could also get a cantilever scope mount on the barrel, I can swap barrels in under 30 seconds and never lose zero. I put the short barrel with Williams sights on for turkey, switch to the 28in for waterfowl in Sept then Nov/Dec back to the rifled barrel with scope for shotgun only hunt and the short barrel with the Williams sights goes on dads receiver for a slug/buckshot push gun, a total of 120 seconds with 2 guns in an entire year.

If you like the 220 then great, starting out and fixed cash finding and buying a 220 and a waterfowl gun and a deer rifle make it cost prohibitive. The Mossberg 500 12ga combo with cantilever scope mount can be had at Bass Pro for $500.

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Originally Posted by Fox

You could also get a cantilever scope mount on the barrel, I can swap barrels in under 30 seconds and never lose zero. I put the short barrel with Williams sights on for turkey, switch to the 28in for waterfowl in Sept then Nov/Dec back to the rifled barrel with scope for shotgun only hunt and the short barrel with the Williams sights goes on dads receiver for a slug/buckshot push gun, a total of 120 seconds with 2 guns in an entire year.

If you like the 220 then great, starting out and fixed cash finding and buying a 220 and a waterfowl gun and a deer rifle make it cost prohibitive. The Mossberg 500 12ga combo with cantilever scope mount can be had at Bass Pro for $500.

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But he already has a Mossberg, just no slug barrel, so he's either going to buy another combo or a slug barrel and then he's well on his way to just buying a dedicated slug gun.

To add to that, there's something to be said for using a slug gun that was designed to shoot slugs only rather than as an afterthought or an option. Combos are a shotgun first and foremost. You're not going to find a trigger that compares to the accutrigger on a combo.

Regardless, it's just my preference and just a suggestion. Personally, I got tired of messing around with barrels and trying to make a shotgun perform like a rifle, when some of today's shotguns (slug guns) are basically a rifle that shoots slugs.

Another option for the OP would be to buy a muzzle-loader. They're a legal alternative to a slug gun in areas that don't allow rifles during deer season and in some areas it will open up an entire extra (ML only) season for you.

Yeah there's so many options. I plan to do most of my SWO deer hunting with a bow but want the slug capability if an opportunity presents itself for the controlled hunt. And also I have a friend who moved up north where the slug gun could be used during a week that's open season. Of course I've mulled around the idea of getting a deer rifle too for that purpose which can also be used for coyotes. So it may be a slug barrel and.maybe 243? There's just so many options out there some are revolved around seasons, preference, and what actually works.slug barrels just cost effective vs getting a new gun altogether. And yes my mossberg is older but I'm currently in a discussion with mossberg customer service helping me determine if it's even capable for a new slug barrel. They say MOST old shotguns can still take the new barrels, they just want to see pics when I get a chance. So lots of options for sure but the slugs can be used for deer down here and up there, yotes from some other threads I've read too

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It can be tough with this for that, that for this, what will get the most use? What's most effective? What's cost efficient? That's why I like this forums all of you or most have been there in some regard as a complete noob like myself or new to one type of hubting while proficient in another. I like my mossberg, it got my first two ducks, it will come out for rabbits with me, it's old and beautiful and my wife's step dad hunted with it years ago, it's got character, I want to get lots of use out of it, but maaaaaybe that's better for just a couple targets and put more abuse onto a newer more versatile weapon, ill figure it out though , with help from you guys I'll get there

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by GW11

But he already has a Mossberg, just no slug barrel, so he's either going to buy another combo or a slug barrel and then he's well on his way to just buying a dedicated slug gun.

To add to that, there's something to be said for using a slug gun that was designed to shoot slugs only rather than as an afterthought or an option. Combos are a shotgun first and foremost. You're not going to find a trigger that compares to the accutrigger on a combo.

Regardless, it's just my preference and just a suggestion. Personally, I got tired of messing around with barrels and trying to make a shotgun perform like a rifle, when some of today's shotguns (slug guns) are basically a rifle that shoots slugs.

Another option for the OP would be to buy a muzzle-loader. They're a legal alternative to a slug gun in areas that don't allow rifles during deer season and in some areas it will open up an entire extra (ML only) season for you.

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I had been looking into the 220 at one point, could not find one, just the 12ga version and man were they costly, they are supposed to be accurate as heck, if you need that where you hunt.

From mossberg..

Awesome! Thank you for the pictures! With that I can conclusively tell you modern 12 gauge 500 barrels will work with this model with no problem. You can view all that we have to offer here : http://www.mossberg.com/store/parts/...ge=85&type=101


Sincerely,


Customer Service Team

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.


Well that helps narrow things down its nice to hear that right from them considering I've been into shops and they immediately say no you can't without having a close look and just start pushing brand new combos from mossberg, remington, browning.

Just need to find one now before I choose to order directly from them. I know a new combo might be better in some ways in the long run but if the slug barrels only used maybe up to 2 weeks a year in a couple different regions then why pay upwards of $800 when I can pay roughly $200 depending on the vendor or private sale


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There is little you can do with a .30-06 you can't accomplish with an 8X57, if you buy Norma ammo or handload.
I had one for a while, and it shot very accurately with Federal 170-grain ammo. I tried one box of Remington 175? grain but it was roundnose ammo and wouldn't feed well. Spitzers feed better.
They are great rifles and fun to shoot.

Not sure what you paid but the crossbow is worth about $100-$125 and the compound about $75.