Given these choices?
 

A buddy of mine wants a new gun, he' s pretty set on another bolt/mauser action to " back up" or be an alternative to his 98 mauser 6.5x55Swede.

His options:

8mm mauser
M-44 in 7.62x54R
.308mausr
or a .30-30leveraction
He' s also considering getting another SKS, but in a YUGO!!!!! this time, which I advised against.

He' s not really as in love with the .30-30 idea as he is the others, but he' d still like one, and I was pushing it because it would be a different action type than that which he already has/has had.

Which would you pick if you had the 6.5x55 already to make a good counterment? Plus, he' s wanting it under $200, which I' ve found some of these for less than that by far (he kind of wants it to be a back up for now, then maybe YEARS from now build a custom on the action, but will probably sell it long before then).

RE: Given these choices?
 

Of the choices you listed I would go with the 308.

RE: Given these choices?
 

I assume his Model 98 is in 8 X 57, and he has a Swede in 6.5 X 55 right?
If that be the case I would recommend he go for either the .308 or the M44 in 7.62 X 54. Both rounds are comparable. He should get whatever he wants, but if he picked between those 2 he' d be filling in between his other 2 guns.

RE: Given these choices?
 

The 8x57mm Mauser will take anything you would want to shoot, especially if you handload.

RE: Given these choices?
 

If the .308 is a Spanish mauser I say stay away from it, they are not designed to handle the higher pressures of modern loads. The 8mm and the Russian is pretty much a handload only option to gain the full potential of the round. Why would you advise against a Yugo SKS, they are some of the finest available. Certainly 10 times better than any Chinese Norinco SKS. I have a yugo 59/66 and would not trade it for anything.

RE: Given these choices?
 

I' ll second that on the Spanish Muaser. If thats the .308 you are talking about, you would do well to stay away from them.