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Thread: Turkerized 1888 German Commission Rifle

  1. #1
    Boolit Master 1874Sharps's Avatar
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    Turkerized 1888 German Commission Rifle

    Gentlemen:

    I have an old German 1888 Commission rifle that is chambered in 8 mm Mauser and has Turkish markings. It’s been sporterized (somewhat) into a carbine with a stepped Mauser barrel and chopped original stock. It shoots pretty well for having post and notch iron sights and short sight radius, I have only shot mild hand loads through it, as there is no point in stressing a nineteenth century action. The action is quite smooth and has potential. I have thought about re-barreling the action and building a nice cast boolit sporter. Any thoughts on what caliber would be well suited to this action?
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  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    That rifle is not quite as strong as the model 98.
    I had a Chinese 88 many years ago that I rebarreled to .35 Remington
    It made a great brush gun.
    I just remembered,
    My wife's Son in Law back in Florida has a custom German 88 that his dad brought back from Europe after WW2.
    It is 8 mm , but it is the original .318 bore not the .323 bore.
    It looks like something built by a Gunsmith after WW1 for civilian hunting.
    Last edited by LAGS; 12-06-2022 at 10:09 PM.

  3. #3
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    Well, really there's nothing wrong with the original 8x57Jmm Cartridge.

    DG

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    leadhead's Avatar
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    I have one of those that hasn't been cut down. The Turks re barreled it with a new .323
    grooved barrel. It is an excellent cast bullet shooter. I would leave it as is and work up
    some loads using 2400 powder and the cast bullet of your choice. Have fun.....

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

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    Like DG said, there’s nothing wrong with the 8x57 JS . It’s one of my favorite calibers!
    Shoot Safe,
    Mike

    Retired Telephone Man
    NRA Endowment Member
    Marion Road Gun Club
    ( www.marionroad.com )

  6. #6
    Boolit Master 1874Sharps's Avatar
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    I suppose there would not be anything wrong with leaving it as is. The stock, however, is quite ugly, and I think I would like to change it out to something much more sporty. A globe front and peep sight would be just about perfect.
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  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Just because its a Turk 1888,doesnt mean it was made pre 1900........replacement parts and actions for these guns were being made by Steyr in the 1930s..........The variety that has a magazine ,no clip needed,is quite a good sporter ,the only problem is scope mounting ,needs a side mount.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master 1874Sharps's Avatar
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    Really, I did not know that the '88 was being made that late. This one does have a magazine that does not require a clip, but can be used by loading cartridges by hand.
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  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master


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    The Turks loaded their 8x57 JS ammunition to German standards of pressure and velocity. Apparently the '88s were capable of handling it w/o problems. Not saying to load to such for your rifle, just providing the indormation.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  10. #10
    Boolit Master 1874Sharps's Avatar
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    Good to know that it will take standard load pressures.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    I too have a Turkish 88. Mine is in stock 88-05 condition with an excellent bore. It shoots very accurately. My handloads are mild, which makes it very enjoyable to shoot.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy Eddie1971's Avatar
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    My 88's are some of my favorite rifles. Sounds crazy but using 36 grains of IMR 4350 with a boolit 195 grains and up was perfect in my rifles. With jacketed the Hornady .321 grain jacketed over 44 grains of 4350 was great as well.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    I took my Turkish M1888 to the range yesterday. It is always a pleasure to shoot. I made a video of the fun and added it to my antique firearms youtube channel.

    https://youtu.be/H9tsm8aOYD4

  14. #14
    Boolit Master

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    Since you asked for recommendations for a cast sporter. You might like the 358 winchester or the 35 Whelen. Both of these will work with the original bolt.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Good Cheer's Avatar
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    I've seen Turk '88 lugs with super fine network crack lines in the immediately adjacent body of the bolt.
    Don't know what it was caused by but I know where my thoughts lead.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Good Cheer View Post
    I've seen Turk '88 lugs with super fine network crack lines in the immediately adjacent body of the bolt.
    Don't know what it was caused by but I know where my thoughts lead.
    Yikes!
    I just checked mine with a magnifier. It looks fine, no cracks. Whew!

  17. #17
    Boolit Master

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    FYI - With normal loads my Turkish 88 shoots about 10" high at 50 yards. I found that 11.0gr of Trail Boss under the Lee 175gr cast bullet is a very mild load and brings point of impact down almost to point of aim. It makes a great plinking load.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    If I remember correctly, when the Germans upgraded to the .323 bullet and new rifles/barrels were produced with the correct bore diameter, serviceable '88s with .318 bores were throated to accept it as a wartime expedient.
    Warning: I know Judo. If you force me to prove it I'll shoot you.

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BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
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