I tried asking about these on a local forum and didn't get much feedback, so I thought maybe the Sigforum brain trust might have more experience. These have been on my radar for a while, and the idea of a handy little bolt action in 7.62 Nato has a lot of appeal. My recent trip to Spain (specifically Oviedo, where some of these were rebuilt) has me even more interested in picking one up.

I've watched all the youtube videos I could find, and know most of the background info, but what I'm curious about is what are people's real life experiences actually shooting these things? Are they reliable? Accurate? How smooth is the bolt? Are they fun to shoot or do you feel like you're fighting the rifle all the time trying to get it to run? Will it hold a decent group or will it be like my ex-mini-14 that struggled to keep 5 rounds on a paper plate at 50 yards?

If I get one It'll be to shoot it, and I'd like for it to be at least moderately practical, not just a safe queen or momento. I realize it's a milsurp carbine not a precision rifle, but if it's not at least enjoyable and satisfying to shoot, I don't want one.

I don't have any personal experience but I just want to echo that I think they're incredibly cool. Hope you get one and let us know how it works!

Neither of mine are particularly smooth. After some difficulty feeding in one I swapped in a new old stock magazine spring, and haven’t had any problems since.

As noted, they're not all that smooth, or accurate. (Though a better rifle than their contemporary FR7 brethren.)

The combination of the straight bolt handle with the protruding and sharp rear sight has also led to it having quite a reputation as a knuckle-buster.

I owned one briefly, but parted with it as part of my downsizing/narrowing of my milsurp collection in the mid-2010s.

However, I retained an Israeli Mauser K98k and a couple Ishapore 2A/2A1 Enfields, all of which are in .308. I would recommend one of those over a FR8 for someone who wants an old school bolt action military rifle in .308.

I've had Enfields and let them go. Don't really miss them. Never had a k98, but do have an 03A3 (Mauser enough to get sued for it lol) which I love, and my son has a Swede that is absolutely exquisite.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like it's probably not going to be as fun in real life as it looks on paper, and I should definitely at least put hands on one before buying.

They are definitely fun, if a bit unrefined. One of these years I’ll finally get the reproduction trench magazine modified for 7.62 Nato.

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One of these years I’ll finally get the reproduction trench magazine modified for 7.62 Nato

Not sure what that's referring to, but sounds interesting...care to share more details?

Bought one 20+ years ago for like $200. It’s a large ring 98 action. It will handle a lot of pressure. Technically marked 7.62 nato I’ve shot a ton of commercial 308 through it. Never a problem. My range has 8 inch steel plates at 125 yards and I can hit them easy with the irons. The prices I’ve seen asked in recent years are kinda kooky now but if you can get it cheap it’s a cool rifle.

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Originally posted by 92fstech:
Not sure what that's referring to, but sounds interesting...care to share more details?

https://www.sarcoinc.com/m98-m...t-tbhYyrYA8FP-M1Qgsy

You would have shim it carefully enough to match the FR8s magazine well shim. Always thought that if the long spring and FR8 follower didn’t work well a donor could be taken from one of my worse looking G3 magazines.

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Originally posted by Voshterkoff:

You would have shim it carefully enough to match the FR8s magazine well shim. Always thought that if the long spring and FR8 follower didn’t work well a donor could be taken from one of my worse looking G3 magazines.

Ah, interesting, thanks!

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My range has 8 inch steel plates at 125 yards and I can hit them easy with the irons.

That sounds like reasonable accuracy for a milsurp carbine. I guess maybe I'll just keep my eyes open and see what turns up at a reasonable price.

A short handy 308 is indeed a superb hunting and all around rifle. I dearly love my Steyr Scouts.

If you really love Mil-Surp guns they have history and feel that modern guns just don’t have.

That being said if you want a short handy 308 that SHOOTS great you might find a Used Savage 110 or Ruger American for less than a decent FR8. The 110 or the Ruger would like as not shoot sub MOA and could easily mount a scope. A quick glance on GunsAmerica showed me a used 110 for under $350, most were 4-550.

If you want a FR8 or Mil-Surp I hope you find a nice one, they are fun to own and shoot! If you want an accurate 308 with a good trigger and a scope you might shop around for a good used Bolt rifle and have something maybe not as cool but more practical………….DJ