8mm Mauser Bolt Head Compatibility

jbpmidas wrote:What calibers can the 8mm Mauser bolt head accomodate? I have a Spanish 43 Mauser built in 1945. If the barrel is shot out, it will become a custom rifle one day. What are my options to replace only the barrel, assuming the bolt will correctly headspace.

It's probably the most universal bolt face of them all.

It's the .473 (or .4728 if you're a real stickler) rim diameter that is common to 8x57, 7x57, .30-'06 and anything .30-'06 based like .270, .280, .25-'06, .35 Whelen, etc.; .308 and anything .308 based like .243, .260, 7mm-08, .358 Winchester. I think the old Savage cases are also in that class - .250 Savage (and .22-250), .300 Savage, but not .303 Savage (not sure about that one). And there is also the .257 Roberts which was developed off of the 7x57, so I've read.

You have any number of caliber choices using the same bolt face.

I love the 8mm personally. People don't realize that you can launch a 200g bullet at 2650FPS with true European loads, The American stuff is badly watered down due to sammi. Lother walther makes new barrels in 8mm that would be my vote.

The 30-06 was a copy of the 8mm that was necked down to .30cal and slightly lengthened.