I find it a little odd that a WWII Mauser which was originally meant for an 8mm cartridge was chambered for a 30-06, an American WW I and WW II caliber. I know Mauser actions can be reworked and fitted to a 30-06 barrel but that's a project a gunsmith usually needs to do. There's not much difference between the 2 calibers to really justify the change unless 8mm Mauser ammo is getting harder to get. It used to be rather plentiful as there were a lot of war surplus Mausers on the market including ammo. For general hunting for deer and bear out to 300 yards there's not much difference. So if it was truly a 30-06 Mauser perhaps a check of gunsmiths with the gun's serial numbers would help locating the owner(s).
I find it a little odd that a WWII Mauser which was originally meant for an 8mm cartridge was chambered for a 30-06, an American WW I and WW II caliber. I know Mauser actions can be reworked and fitted to a 30-06 barrel but that's a project a gunsmith usually needs to do. There's not much difference between the 2 calibers to really justify the change unless 8mm Mauser ammo is getting harder to get. It used to be rather plentiful as there were a lot of war surplus Mausers on the market including ammo. For general hunting for deer and bear out to 300 yards there's not much difference. So if it was truly a 30-06 Mauser perhaps a check of gunsmiths with the gun's serial numbers would help locating the owner(s).
The bullets are essentially the same. As are the dimensions.