Considering Mauser m18

[Jsal8]

Hey guys, I’m going elk hunting for the first time next year which means buying a suitable gun. I recently purchased another firearm so am not wanting to spend a lot. Everything I’ve read about the Mauser m18 is impressive. I am considering getting it with a .308 caliber. But am worried about taking shots passed 400yds. Does anybody have some thoughts? I know a lot of it depends on round chambered so I would have to find out what would work best for it.

 

[slick]

Mauser- probably good to go
308- good to go
400 yards- just practice and you’re good

Good luck!


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[cmahoney]

No problem with that distance and good scope, I’d like to hear how that rifle works out.


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[MuleyFever]

I was just looking at these at Eurooptic and they get great reviews. Pretty much every one says great accuracy out of the box. At under $500 they look like a solid option.

 

[DoubleDown]

Eurooptic have sale on Tikka too. For 150$ more you’ll get way better and proven rifle

 

[Jsal8]

So do you guys think the .308 will still have enough strength to take an elk at 400+ yds or should I buy a .30-06?

 

[Wilderlife]

I can't comment on what you need to kill an elk, but I can comment about the Mauser M18.

Earlier this year my partner got her firearms license and we went into a local shop to get her a rifle. Her primary concern was that someone was light enough. She felt the Tikka T3 and the Kimber Hunter, but didn't like either of them as much as she hoped she would. Out of left field, the shop owner handed her a Mauser M18. While not as light as the other options, she loved the way it felt. The bolt throw in particular is really interesting and she liked that it took much less effort to lift the bolt than the other rifles.

This year, she's killed a couple of wild pigs with it, and several fallow deer. I've also killed a heap of stuff with it. It's been 100% reliable, and because it's not particularly expensive or pretty, it gets abused pretty hard and it never skips a beat.

For people considering rifles at that price point, I always strongly suggest they check a Mauser M18 out.

 

[Rifleman86]

So do you guys think the .308 will still have enough strength to take an elk at 400+ yds or should I buy a .30-06?

Very little difference between the -06 and the 308 ballistics until you get into the 200+ gr bullets. 308 is going to be lighter and might have an edge in accuracy. The -06 if you want a bit more versatility with really heavy 220 gr bullets.

I’d go 308 if you made me choose, but either will work.

Whatever you do, choose a quality BONDED or copper solid bullet. Elk are tough critters.

I shoot long range (1000 plus) a bunch and I wouldn’t venture much past 500 with either on elk. 308/30-06 starts loosing a lot of gas at that point and wind can really play hell on it past that distance.

 

[slick]

So do you guys think the .308 will still have enough strength to take an elk at 400+ yds

Yes.

 

[Blakelok]

I picked up an M18 just before Christmas from EuroOptic in 6.5 PRC. The accuracy is as advertised, the trigger is crisp, the bolt is smooth, and it has a nicer stock than many rifles is this price range. It’s a good buy if you don’t want to change anything, but there isn’t much aftermarket support yet.

 

[MCT453]

Eurooptic have sale on Tikka too. For 150$ more you’ll get way better and proven rifle

I know it is an old thread but just read an article on the M18 Savanna in American Hunter.
I guess I am curious why the Tikka would be considered a more proven firearm. I know the M18 isn't the traditional mauser action so it cannot be said that it has been in existence much longer and I also realize that the the Tikka is highly touted on this forum even being a new guy here it doesn't take long to see that.
Just wondering out of curiosity because even though I don't need another rifle the M18 seems to be a bargain if I was looking for something in this range.
Thanks