I have a military rifle that was given to me and I want to find out what the caliber so as to get the right ammo.The receiver is stamped 7.62 caliber and the barrel is stamped "Spain".I'm not sure if it might be a 7.62 x 39 or 7.62 x 54R.How can I find out for sure.

Thank you for any help.

Neither one. Is it not a 7.62 Spanish Mauser? They use 7.62 NATO rounds, similar to a .308. 7.62 x39 is a semi auto round for SKS, AK 47 and other rifles chambered for it. Ruger Mini 30 for example. 7.62 x 54R is strictly for a Mosin Nagant. It is a.rimmed cartridge. Be very careful shooting 308 in an older Spanish Mauser. Go to a gunsmith to have it checked out. Ammo is available, try Able Ammo or Graf and Sons. Is it an FR8 Mauser? Google that.

Does it also say NATO on it? Here is some more information on the mauser.

Spanish Mauser 8mm to .308 conversion

There is something to keep in mind. It could be the 7.62 CETME round as well. It will chamber a 7.62 NATO round but is not designed for the pressure that the NATO round is.

Here is a good little bit of reading on it.

SPANISH MAUSER HISTORY - AND A CAUTION! in Spanish Rifles Forum

Bottom line, I would have it checked and double checked before I decided to fire a 7.62 NATO round through it. Even then I might find someone that does handloading and load it way down.

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Originally Posted by odinn7

There is something to keep in mind. It could be the 7.62 CETME round as well. It will chamber a 7.62 NATO round but is not designed for the pressure that the NATO round is.

Here is a good little bit of reading on it.

SPANISH MAUSER HISTORY - AND A CAUTION! in Spanish Rifles Forum

Bottom line, I would have it checked and double checked before I decided to fire a 7.62 NATO round through it. Even then I might find someone that does handloading and load it way down.

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Yep, forgot that one.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

Neither one. Is it not a 7.62 Spanish Mauser? They use 7.62 NATO rounds, similar to a .308. 7.62 x39 is a semi auto round for SKS, AK 47 and other rifles chambered for it. Ruger Mini 30 for example. 7.62 x 54R is strictly for a Mosin Nagant. It is a.rimmed cartridge. Be very careful shooting 308 in an older Spanish Mauser. Go to a gunsmith to have it checked out. Ammo is available, try Able Ammo or Graf and Sons. Is it an FR8 Mauser? Google that.

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The left side of the receiver is stamped FR8-09538.The right side of receiver is stamped Cal 7.62.The barrel is stamped FR8 Spain.The top of the receiver is stamped with the Spanish crest with LACORUNA 1956 under it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by olie2012

The left side of the receiver is stamped FR8-09538.The right side of receiver is stamped Cal 7.62.The barrel is stamped FR8 Spain.The top of the receiver is stamped with the Spanish crest with LACORUNA 1956 under it.

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FR8 Mauser as I suspected. Strange looking.

Yet another article and history on the FR8

Collecting and Shooting the Surplus Rifle - What the Hell is That? The Spanish Fr-8 Report


This explains all the rounds included in the responses here that relate to this version of the rifle.

Is there an Import stamp on the rifle? That would be the compay responsible for import.