Mauser actions

[Rowdy1]

Has anybody here built a mauser action rifle? I have a lead on a 98 for cheap and I'd really like to build a med-long range rifle. I'm thinkin a semi bull barrel but I have no clue as far as what brand of barrel I should go with. Is like to stick with a 30-06 chambering.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Burt Gummer]

Never built one, I've never hunted with anything else either.
Stainless M77 MKII here.
I have noticed however that not all similar caliber & manufacturer bolt assemblies are interchangeable.

[JohnyMac]

Rowdy1, that should be a great project! One of our armory specialists, Gapatriot will probably give you some suggestions. If he doesn't just PM him.

My brother bought a WWII Mauser for a good price several years ago. He loves it and shoots in the 1 1/2 - 2" rage at 100 yards with iron sights. It does kick like a mule though.

Good luck, have fun and before and after pictures a MUST! 

[Rowdy1]

Burt- I don't have any experience with a M77. I'm a bargain rifle hunter. I picked up a 1914 bobby stone rifle several years ago for $200. It was sporterized and has a fugly stock. I bought some walmart ammo and I get 1.25" groups at 100 yards. That's plenty good for my style of hunting. The 1914 is a mauser based action but it's a little sloppy. I want quality and my buddy has a never used action I can buy for cheap. So that's where I'm starting.

Johny- thank you! I'm looking to build a rifle capable of 1,000+ yards. I enjoy reloading and medium range shooting with my AR.
So my next step is bigger bore for logger ranges. If I can keep in my budget I should be able to get a decent Leupold to strap to it. I'm a big fan of Leupold.
And yessir I will definitely post pics and prices!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[crudos]

Green Mountain is suppose to be a good source of barrels. Interested in your choice of 30.06, as opposed to something like .308/7.62x51? Not sure how powerful of a cartridge a Mauser action can take safely? Sounds like a cool project, as you should have a plethora of stocks and other accessories to choose from.

[Rowdy1]

No real reason for the 06 over the 308. I just figured the 06 would carry energy a little further.
Thank you for the suggestion I'll look them up right now!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kentactic]

I use to have an M48A1 and that was the smoothest action bolt ive ever used. Makes Remington feel like a toy. However in Remingtons defense its a simple design and once it locks up its solid.

[thatGuy]

You're gonna want a large ring action to handle the pressure you'll no doubt face with those custom handloads you're gonna work up!

Green Mountain will take care of you from start to finish but I've got to ask why 30-06? With modern powders you can get the same ballistic performance as 30-06 with a 308. Another aspect that is often glossed over by reloaders is being able to hand your ammo to someone who doesn't have a tuned up race gun.

Lets say you've got a barrel that is rated for ungodly pressure and you load for it, that's all well and good until a dude in your group try's to feed his 40s vintage deer gun with your hotloads and blows his face off. This is a very real problem with the 30-06 round. Back in the day the only way to make a round more powerful was to add more powder which is why you see the cartridges of the late 19th century getting bigger and bigger. The .38 is a great example, it went from .38, to .38 special, to .38 special +p and somewhere in the middle to .357 mag.  They were adding more case so they could charge more powder.

That's all well and good until you put a .38 special +p into a WWII Webly pistol...

So the rub is that modern powder is much more powerful by volume than the old stuff and you can really over charge those old cases.

The decision is yours, just wanted to help expand your thought process.

[Rowdy1]

Thank you for the heads up on that! That never crossed my mind.
I just have a little more experience with a 30 06 than a 308. I figured the 06 would be a little better at long range. Other than that no reason for a 06 over a 308.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rah45]

Just another thought, Rowdy, adding to what TG mentioned.

7.62 NATO/.308 is more common in the U.S. population, and is U.S. and NATO standard ammunition, as well as being a standard in many law enforcement circles. You might be better served transitioning over to a 7.62x51 chambered rifle, which can fire both 7.62 NATO milsurp and civilian .308, if experience is the only reason for your preference. Just some food for thought.

[Rowdy1]

Ok guys I just stopped by my buddies. It's a Springfield 1903 action. He called it a mauser style?
How different are the two?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Burt Gummer]

Was flipping through some old hunting photo's and found this gem that I think 50% of which would fit in our token Mauser thread.

1-Ruger M77 MkII .308
2-I think Winchester in .357
3-Browning X bolt
4-Ruger M77 MkII .308 70's model
5-Ruger M77 Hawkeye compact
6-Ruger M77 MkII 30-06 70's model
7-Winchester Woodsmaster Semiautomatic .308
8-Ruger from the 50's in 30-06 Not sure whether that's a considered a M77

[JohnyMac]

Great hunting camp picture Burt!

Is that a Savage model 99 all the way to the right? I can barely make out (what looks like to me) lever under the receiver.

On another note: Rowdy1, I love Leupold scopes. I had a minor problem with mine a few years ago and they fixed it with no hassle at all. The turn around time (mid summer...Before hunting season) was 10 days from the day I sent it in to the day I received it back. Attached is a picture of my Leupold on my vintage model 99, in .300 Savage, the precursor of the .308 Win.

I like good customer service. 
 

[Rowdy1]

Ok so I have found the stock company I'm going to use.
Richards microfit stocks inc. I stumbled upon them and they're the manufacturers of the stock on my 1914 bobby stone. It's a pretty ugly stock but dang it's comfy!
So I'm thinking green mountain is probably the company I'll use but it's not set in stone yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Burt Gummer]

Rowdy- What collor/grain stock are you considering? 

Jmac- No not a m99 (although I love that gun rotary mag and all) I put a list below the picture.

[Rowdy1]

I'm not real sure yet. Probably just basic walnut. I might get it unfinished then stain it till I like the look of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk