The rifle with no respect. The Remington 81 (and model 8)

[Wyatt Burp]

I love this rifle. It's so business looking and robust. It's a Model 81 in .300 Savage made in 1949. My unscientific accuracy test is blowing up beer cans at 80 yards offhand. I don't think these guns get the respect they deserve but they have skyrocketed in price lately, but what hasn't. I got this for $200 about ten years ago and it's all original except holes for a sling. It's well used but the bore is visually like new. Anyone else have a Model 8 or 81. Let's see them and pay our respects to this great autoloader from days gone by.

 

[Steave]

I don't have one, never really looked for one, but they are neat rifles, if I could fine a deal one a nice, original, unmolested example in .35 Remington I'd be real interested.

They are classic woods rifles!

 

[s&wchad]

“Lipstick on a Pig”

This Model 8 was a recent find (one of my best). It’s a factory grade 6 (F) from around 1912 in .25 Remington and it came with seven boxes of factory ammo (that I won‘t be shooting up anytime soon). I don't think the engraver ever saw a real buck in his life. Anyone have a spare Lyman #6 leaf sight?

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

really nice rifles.

 

[Alpo]

That's kinda depressing, actually. Did that nice engraving, and then the screw slots aren't lined up.

Is it just me, or does it look like that bear is about to have his way with that buck, to other people too?

 

[ace]

8 & 81

I have a 81 in 300 savage and my sis has dads model 8 in 32 remington.
Dad got the 8 in 1946 and I got the 81 in 1954.
We ate venison back then.

 

[mwr1]

I have a Mod.8 in .35 Remington. Picked it up a gunshow for $250.00. Dealer says not orginal, someone put a recoil pad on it. The first time I shot it from the bench it put 4 rounds into 3 inches with the factory buckhorn sight. The rifle gets the credit not me. These are great rifles and I am proud to own it.

 

[Iggy]

The first Police Dept I worked for had 4 of those Rem's in the trunks of our patrol cars.

They traded them, a couple of tommy guns, and a beautiful German MP40? Chief said it was a Schmiesser, for 4 AR15's.

I could have cried.

 

[35Rem]

My model 8 in 35 Remington.
It works, too!

Be sure to check out this site, too.
There is a forum on there with lots of stuff, too:
http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety.com/

 

[Wyatt Burp]

My model 8 in 35 Remington.
It works, too!

Be sure to check out this site, too.
There is a forum on there with lots of stuff, too:
The Great Model 8 & 81

Great Rem. website! My wife gave me a beautiful Model 8 for Christmas once. I told her about seeing it in a pawn shop. $185. When I went to load it the .30 cartridges flew out. Turned out it was a mixed gun, .30 barrel assembly and the rest was a .35. Broke my heart. Traded it for a Colt Police Positive Special with real pearl grips at the pawn shop. I prefer the 8 but really like the .300 Sav. caliber.

 

[6thtexas]

The Model 8 was real popular with the Texas Rangers at one time. Somewhere around here I have a picture of a Ranger Company and it looks like they all have a Model 8. Hamer had one when he caught up with Bonnie & Clyde.

I had a 81 in .300 Savage once with a Redfield peep mounted on it. I sure wish I had it back.

 

[Centenniel]

I have a Model 81 in 300 Savage that was made in 1948. I love that old rifle.

 

[35Rem]

My model 8 in 35 Remington kicks plenty. You can have the 300 Savage.

Would like a 25 Remington. That would be a fun gun.

I did once shoot a ~2.5" group at 100 yards with the 35 Remington I have. They will shoot, plenty good. Just takes some practice.

 

[2152hq]

Have 2 model 8 Remingtons. A 30 and a 32. The 30 shoots as advertised and even eats my reloads w/o any problems. Haven't gotten around to doing any loading for the 32 yet though I did pick up a sealed box of Hornady 32 Special FN bullets this weekend at a show for future ventures in that direction. The 32Rem bore is actually a bit tighter than the .321 diameter of the bullets for the 32Win Special but they work fine with their thin jackets and the low pressures involved.

I can see why LE wanted the detachable mag not only for the high cap,, but for ease of loading. Though there were charger clips available for these rifles, more often than not they are loaded singly into the mag from the top. They are not the fastest nor the easiest rifles to load. Arty-itis don't help!

I think I need a 35Rem next...

 

[35Rem]

I think I need a 35Rem next...

Sorry, I'm taken....

Seriously, you do need a 35 Remington. Everyone should have one. It's a really under-rated cartridge, for Eastern hunting grounds, at least.

The magazine could have been better. It's tough to load and the design really dates to the Winchester 1895 (both Browning designs). They are works of art to me, though. Whether engraved or not.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

My model 8 in 35 Remington kicks plenty. You can have the 300 Savage.

Would like a 25 Remington. That would be a fun gun.

I did once shoot a ~2.5" group at 100 yards with the 35 Remington I have. They will shoot, plenty good. Just takes some practice.

My 81 in .300 Sav. seems to kick way more than my much lighter Savage 99 .300. Both with steel butt plates. I like shooting the Rem. 81 and hearing and feeling all that clanging around when the barrel flies back and the action goes into..well..action. But maybe it's all that banging around that makes it feel harder kicking. None the less, it's an experience to shoot.

 

[kleinkaliber]

I've heard two reasons for the increased recoil. One is the weight of the barrel cycling back. The other, which is what I think has more to do with it is the shape of the stock. I've never shot an 8, but my 81 has such a thick, high stock that really digs in to my cheekbone. It is fun to shoot, and I too like hearing all the "moving parts."

 

[2152hq]

Last time out with the Model 8 in 30cal.
This was 5 rounds at 50yrds, elbow rested off a bench. My reloads, 150gr RNSP (30-30 bullets) and a min load of IMR4895 (can't recall the exact load here but it's around 31 or 32gr.)
Functions the action perfectly. Ejects the emptys up and over my left shoulder and they land just behind me maybe 2 or 3 ft back (rt handed shooter).

The Winchester ammo in the pic was obtained w/the rifle,,actually 3 boxes of it. I shot up this box and have been using the brass for reloading.
The rifle is a late vintage Model 8,,1930's somewhere,,can't recall the exact year but the screw attachment for the safety lever is a giveaway for a late rifle.

The factory rounds shot about 3" high at 50Yrds IIRC. These reloads are a nice easy load both on the rifle and me.
Now that I'm down to less than 10 of the 150gr bullets I'll probably try something else. Maybe some cast bullets. I have some 110gr spire point jacketed also that may get a trial too.
Fun rifle to shoot. I have to get back on the stock a bit to focus on the sites OK but it's still comfortable. A problem alot of older shooters have I guess. A nice Lyman peep site would solve that in a hurry.

Have to get the 32 going too but the cold and snow doesn't make for much fun loading the rifle & searching for brass.
It needs a new stock anyway as someone clipped a fraction of an inch off the butt for some reason. A replacement and alteration to early style swept pistol grip will be a good winter project.

 

[James NM]

I've got an 81 chambered in 30 Remington. And thanks to the link posted, I now know it was manufactured in 1946.

It's seen some hard use in it's time, but has easy duty now guarding the closet in my office.

 

[jack1653]

Hey s&wchad,

I have just seen the posting and pictures of your rifle. I know the posting was made last December so this reply is certainly not timely. I was wondering if you are you a collector of the Remington model 8 & 81's? I would like to talk with you about the Remington Model 8 Grade F. You can email me at [email protected].

Thank you for letting me ask.

Regards,

jack1653