k98 Surplus Ammo

[Brien]

What is the best surplus 8mm mauser ammo?

Currently I have been shooting Turkish 1940 era rounds. I would like to buy in bulk but don't want to pay $200+ for crappy ammo.

Thanks!

[Lon]

The best surplus 8mm ammo is any that you can find! Ammo of all types has become very hard to come by. The 1940 Turkish I'm sure has Berdan corrosive primers, which is no problem with proper cleaning.

[Chris D.]

J&G Sales has a bunch of Turkish for sale pretty cheap.

[Suber]

I would hand inspect EVERY round of the Turkish crap that you might consider putting through your rifle. I have found several that have cracked necks.

[Brien]

Turkish or other brand?

I would hand inspect EVERY round of the Turkish crap that you might consider putting through your rifle. I have found several that have cracked necks.

Which brand would you reccomend? Greek, Romanian, other?

So far, the ammo I bought in bandoliers has been good with no defects noted.

[Suber]

I think the Yugo stuff is decent, but I would be speculating as I have never bought any. I see it from time, to time for sale. The Turkish stuff shoots just fine, other than being corrosive, it is decent. I would just check each round thoroughly for any defects before you run it through.

[Col.Klink]

I would hand inspect EVERY round of the Turkish crap that you might consider putting through your rifle. I have found several that have cracked necks.

DEFINITELY check each round! I bought 7 bandoleers of 40's era Turkish crap, and when I insected the ammo, nearly every other shell was cracked! Some were so bad that the bullet fell out on handling! In my experience, I have found that Romanian surplus is the best, followed by Yugo. I don't recommend the Turkish stuff. Good luck!
Grant

[Cincylance]

First off, I'm going to assume you'll be shooting this ammo out of a bolt action rifle. My answers below would be different if you are feeding a MG34 or MG42.

If you don't shoot much (less than 500 rounds a year) then the FNM Portugese ammo is the best. It is brass-cased, non-corrosive and boxer primed.

The Romanian ammo is my personal favorite followed by the 70's Yugo. 50's Yugo is OK as is the Egyptian, Chinese, WW2 Greek and most WW2 German (I know, it's collectible, but hey it does work!)

About half of the Turkish ammo I've purchased had split necks, not necessarily a big deal out of a bolt action. I shoot it out of a semi-1919 and it works fine in that too.

Cincylance

[phild]

First off, I'm going to assume you'll be shooting this ammo out of a bolt action rifle. My answers below would be different if you are feeding a MG34 or MG42.

If you don't shoot much (less than 500 rounds a year) then the FNM Portugese ammo is the best. It is brass-cased, non-corrosive and boxer primed.

The Romanian ammo is my personal favorite followed by the 70's Yugo. 50's Yugo is OK as is the Egyptian, Chinese, WW2 Greek and most WW2 German (I know, it's collectible, but hey it does work!)

About half of the Turkish ammo I've purchased had split necks, not necessarily a big deal out of a bolt action. I shoot it out of a semi-1919 and it works fine in that too.

Cincylance

My experience echoes the above recommendation. I can add that I have chronographed many rounds of late 40s Turkish ammo at between 2800 and about 3100 fps!!! It is most all very overloaded, inconsistent in load spec, and in some cases about 30% hotter loaded than safe spec!! It will strike about a foot low at 100 yrds because of the hot loading and the residue left in the bore seems about the most difficult to get out as any ammo that I have fired...and I have fired my share of variety.

[Brien]

Thanks

Thanks for the input guys! I am shooting a nice russian capture byf 42 bolt action k98.

Brien

[Palmenmuster]

In Norway you can get loads of Norwegian made Raufoss ammo 1955-1960s, good quality and accurate. 100 rounds for $20,-

Best regards, Tom

[Chris D.]

If you don't shoot much (less than 500 rounds a year) then the FNM Portugese ammo is the best. It is brass-cased, non-corrosive and boxer primed.


Cincylance

Is it really non-corrosive? even the primer?

[Cincylance]

Is it really non-corrosive? even the primer?

Yes.

[Willi Z.]

I have always liked the Yugoslav 7.92mm.

[TerryK]

Back in the late seventys I bought some Portugese 8mm in plastic
sealed battle packs. Head stamped FNH and dated 71 and these were
berdan primed. They seemed hot and when I was shooting my QVE 45
K43 my bolt carrier cocking knob broke off. It had been ground on one side
to clear a scope at one time. Remember this was when people shot
their collectables. It was the cleanest and most reliable 8mm that I shot
back then. It kicked hard in my 98s also.

Terry

Saved the broke off knob.