Scoping an 8mm Yugo Mauser

[Foxyboy43]

For the technically minded of you out there. I have an absolute tack-driver M48 Mauser which has been restored to mint condition. I have mounted a “Scout-mounted” long eye-relief 3-6x Pistol scope on it and it shoots sub-moa all day long with my homeloads, Currently it is on my FAC for approved ranges only but it is such a nice gun and so accurate I would dearly love to fit mounts and a good scope then of course get it on for deer. This would involve tapping the action to accommodate the scope rail(s) for the mounts and likely having to heat and further bend the bolt handle so that it doesn’t foul the scope/mounts when cycling - though I guess I could always go for very high mounts but that would not be my preferred action.The question is therefore a two-parter as in has anyone on the site done this satisfactorily and secondly if so (or not), who would you recommend could do it? As always there is a complication as there are no competent gunsmiths in my part of the world so it would be a transfer - RFD to Gunsmith for the work to be done and return. Grateful for any suggestions chaps - it’s the top rifle of the two below., please?
Thanks all.

 

[Muir]

I wouldn't change that rifle a lick. What is wrong with a scout scope for hunting? My Steyr Scout has a 2X Leupold. It's deer worthy.~Muir

(Otherwise kiss your restoration goodbye and drill and tap it and weld on a new bolt handle)

 

[saddler]

I had an RFD mate add a scope base assembly and bend the bolt of my Swede Mauser
Did very good work....he's based in the Scottish borders.
It would be easy to mail direct to him & there's no legal reason for the gun not to be mailed directly back to you; it's only initial receipt at time of purchase that needs to be done face to face

In my case I used an older style Side Rail system to keep it period correct
He also modified the bolt to the correct bend profile

There is a firm in the US, Accumounts, they offer a range of scope bases for the Mauser action.
If you cannot find a local source for some older steel Parker Hale bases, I'd look at one of the Accumount options or maybe a Redfield Jr type 2-piece steel base

 

[saddler]

I wouldn't change that rifle a lick. What is wrong with a scout scope for hunting? My Steyr Scout has a 2X Leupold. It's deer worthy.~Muir

(Otherwise kiss your restoration goodbye and drill and tap it and weld on a new bolt handle)

...this too!

It's scoped and shoots well in present form.
Keeping the present format also frees the action if you want to clip load, etc.

 

[Andy RV]

Perfectly possible, I did mine in my garage with my pillar drill! My M48 is fitted the period Serbian Zrak scope in Leupold mauser rings. (The M48 sniper clones tend to use European swing off mounts which put the scope very high).

I had to cut of part of the bolt handle and bend it to give enough clearance to cycle the bolt. I also bedded it while I was at it.

 

[Andy RV]

 

[Andy RV]

You’ll also have to reduce the height of the flag safety!

 

[Sika98k]

Shortly after I got into deer stalking I bought a 98k in Denmark for very small money. It was 100% original apart from being rebarreled in Otterup to 6.5x55. I had the gunsmith fit Weaver bases for an old Kahles 4x I picked up. This was a non centred reticle scope. He did a superb job on fitting it. It zeroed almost perfectly with minimal adjustments so the reticle was slap bang in the centre. The bolt handle was turned down somewhat agriculturally. It served me well for a number of years. Before the day of cameras in phones but it was a very good shooter.

 

[Foxyboy43]

You’ll also have to reduce the height of the flag safety!

Excellent job - well done sir and thank you for the photos which were very useful indeed and I love the scope.
As someone who wouldn‘t know the difference between a fret and a hacksaw I can only doff my hat to your craftsmanship not to say courage! Having looked at the photos a number of times and just come in from wrecking my .308 f/l die which had a stuck case, I think it would definitely be better me leaving it to an expert.
Or as Muir suggested running with the existing Scout scope arrangement …………….

 

[A Guy Out West]

I had an RFD mate add a scope base assembly and bend the bolt of my Swede Mauser
Did very good work....he's based in the Scottish borders.
It would be easy to mail direct to him & there's no legal reason for the gun not to be mailed directly back to you; it's only initial receipt at time of purchase that needs to be done face to face

In my case I used an older style Side Rail system to keep it period correct
He also modified the bolt to the correct bend profile

There is a firm in the US, Accumounts, they offer a range of scope bases for the Mauser action.
If you cannot find a local source for some older steel Parker Hale bases, I'd look at one of the Accumount options or maybe a Redfield Jr type 2-piece steel base

Yes, I’ve seen a mount that bolts into the rear sight mounting hardware.

 

[Sika98k]

You’ll also have to reduce the height of the flag safety!

Or you could get a “lange sicherung “ off eGun.

 

[Andy RV]

Thanks, I’ve not seen that type of safety before.

 

[Sika98k]

Thanks, I’ve not seen that type of safety before.

It was for the 98k sniper modified rifles. Alternatively Recknagel, Zastava and a few others offer Winchester Model 70 style safeties. The Recknagel one is particularly speedy.

 

[Woodcroft]

For the technically minded of you out there. I have an absolute tack-driver M48 Mauser which has been restored to mint condition. I have mounted a “Scout-mounted” long eye-relief 3-6x Pistol scope on it and it shoots sub-moa all day long with my homeloads, Currently it is on my FAC for approved ranges only but it is such a nice gun and so accurate I would dearly love to fit mounts and a good scope then of course get it on for deer. This would involve tapping the action to accommodate the scope rail(s) for the mounts and likely having to heat and further bend the bolt handle so that it doesn’t foul the scope/mounts when cycling - though I guess I could always go for very high mounts but that would not be my preferred action.The question is therefore a two-parter as in has anyone on the site done this satisfactorily and secondly if so (or not), who would you recommend could do it? As always there is a complication as there are no competent gunsmiths in my part of the world so it would be a transfer - RFD to Gunsmith for the work to be done and return. Grateful for any suggestions chaps - it’s the top rifle of the two below., please?
Thanks all.

View attachment 222457

Hi Foxyboy, I just found your old post about scoping an M48 Mauser. I have a Yugo Mauser Model 98 and have purchased a no drill mount to fit the backsight. I was wondering what make of pistol scope and magnification you used please?
I have found a few long eye relief scout scopes online eg Vortex, PAO and NC Star ( which dont seem to be available in the UK) with varying reviews so would appreciate any feedback from a shooter who has used one on a Mauser which in 8mm has some fairly lively recoil!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hi W.
i have a Swift 4x32 on the M48 which I bought as a cheapie in the US. I have a better scope NcStar 2-7x32E - again bought in the US.
Both are good for 200 plus and transform the use of these great rifles - especially for elderly eyes….

 

[Woodcroft]

Hi Foxyboy, many thanks for the prompt feedback. I have found both scopes you mentioned on line in the US, did you have any problem fetching them back? I have a friend going to the US next month who may be able to fetch one if its allowed?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hi Foxyboy, many thanks for the prompt feedback. I have found both scopes you mentioned on line in the US, did you have any problem fetching them back? I have a friend going to the US next month who may be able to fetch one if its allowed?

I brought both back with me but if you check t’internet you might just find one or two closer to home. I put another cheap pistol scope my M44 Mosin which was locally sourced but unfortunately cannot remember from where!
Good luck.

 

[Foxyboy43]

There you go…

PAO Topaz 2-7x32 LER Pistol Scope

PAO Topaz 2-7x32 LER Pistol Scope. This scope offers the largest magnification range, 2-7x of any long eye relief scope available in Europe and is ideally suited for both close range vermin control or shooting target disciplines.

www.uttings.co.uk

 

[Woodcroft]

There you go…

PAO Topaz 2-7x32 LER Pistol Scope

PAO Topaz 2-7x32 LER Pistol Scope. This scope offers the largest magnification range, 2-7x of any long eye relief scope available in Europe and is ideally suited for both close range vermin control or shooting target disciplines.

www.uttings.co.uk

Many thanks, will check this out
Has anyone tried this scope - is it any good?

 

[243ack]

I had an RFD mate add a scope base assembly and bend the bolt of my Swede Mauser
Did very good work....he's based in the Scottish borders.
It would be easy to mail direct to him & there's no legal reason for the gun not to be mailed directly back to you; it's only initial receipt at time of purchase that needs to be done face to face

In my case I used an older style Side Rail system to keep it period correct
He also modified the bolt to the correct bend profile

There is a firm in the US, Accumounts, they offer a range of scope bases for the Mauser action.
If you cannot find a local source for some older steel Parker Hale bases, I'd look at one of the Accumount options or maybe a Redfield Jr type 2-piece steel base

Not correct sir. FAC holder can send to RFD (if you can find a carrier willing to); but RFD cannot send back to FAC holder.