Mauser actions

Captain_coues · Sep 12, 2016

Which actions are the best ot build off of? Is the Spanish 1916 Mauser good? I've heard the original German are the best, but those are hard to find and are probably something you wont want to sporterize.

RELH · Sep 12, 2016

Some of the Mexican mausers were small ring mausers if I remember right. Only good for converting to non magnums and calibers in the 308 & 7mm.

The best are the German ones made before world war 11 when quality control was at it's best. My favorite was the 1909 Argentine Mauser. almost impossible to find a decent 1909 to convert to a sporter today.

RELH

Homer · Sep 12, 2016

Serious question here......with all the very good quality aftermarket receivers out there today...why would anyone want to go the old mauser route?

Captain_coues · Sep 12, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-16 AT 01:32PM (MST)[p]The one I'm planning on purchasing is a 7x57. I would turn it into a 257 Roberts. Will that conversion work RELH? I know what you mean Homer, the only reason I plan on using an old action is to try to build my own rifle, which I've never done before. I have been reading a lot lately about Mauser builds, and want to try it out. I figure I may have some trial and error in the beginning and don't want to waste a $500 action. That and I think it would be cool to cut, grind, weld, machine and polish an old action and turn it into something nice. There is a Tech Shop that has the equipment I would need and membership is only $150 a month. I will need to gather some of the components and come up with a plan before I really start spending, because there will be a lot of expense from what I've been learning, also because I'm not one that asks to borrow someone's reamer or gauges, I will buy those myself.

kilowatt · Sep 12, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-16 AT 04:07PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-16 AT 03:59?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-16 AT 03:58?PM (MST)

Here are a few pictures of my 7x57mm Belgium Mauser built for me back in 1968 by a fellow I met in same year. He had his business on Guam back there working for the US Military and it took me over a year to get it back. Never regretted it either, such a great rifle, shooter etc. I retired it over 20 years ago.

Brian
http://i44.tinypic.com/es7x8z.jpg[/IMG]

Homer · Sep 12, 2016

...that was a great response to my question C-C.....have fun doing it. I shoot a 257 Roberts...you will enjoy it.

Jagerdad · Sep 12, 2016

The 7x57 is a great cartridge. I sure like the 257 Roberts.

But...????

Would you consider: 260 AAR.

P.O. Ackley named it the 260 All Around Rifle, hence: AAR.

In my experience it is one of the best cartridges I have played with and Hunted with. It is a 257 Roberts Improved Necked up to 6.5mm

Plus, No one else has one

RELH · Sep 12, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Sep-13-16 AT 02:19AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-13-16 AT 02:15?AM (MST)

257 Roberts would be a good caliber for a build. You can get a Shilen barrel from Brownell's that is already threaded for the Mauser action. Also a classic style bolt handle, engraved floor plate, after market trigger from Brownell's also.
The Shilen barrel will be short chambered and all you need to get is the finish reamer and cut the chamber by hand using a go & no go headspace gage for correct headspace.
I have built up about 10 Mauser actions using the Shilen pre threaded barrels and everyone of them would shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards for 3 shots.
I built a jig for chucking the receiver in the lathe in order to face off the front of the receiver shoulder for a solid matchup to the barrel shoulder. The Mauser action also has a inner shoulder that the rear of the barrel must butt up to and you need to be sure to have both shoulders butted up together.
The feed rails should be ok for the 257 for proper feeding of the cartridge from magazine to chamber if working from a 7x57mm to 257 Roberts.
Pay close attention to doing the barrel crown, any screw up there or burrs will destroy accuracy. I prefer using a recessed target rifle crown for better protection of the crown on a hunting rifle.

RELH

Kilo, that is a good build on that Mauser. Beatiful floor plate & trigger guard, classic style bolt handle and a great piece of Claro walnut with tiger stripes. That walnut stock will cost you about 5 times more today then what it did when your rifle was built. I think I see the lever for the floor plate release inside the trigger guard, if so that should be a 1909 Argentine Mauser action. The best you can get for a sporter rifle build.

Captain_coues · Sep 13, 2016

Thanks for the tips. I've been watching clips on the web about threading the barrel and that scares me the most. I'm going to look at those items you mentioned RELH and take it from there. 260 AAR? That sounds sexy. I will give it some thought for another build if this one turns out any good. I have a Remington 722 in 257 Roberts that I inherited from my dad so that will save a little expense in bringing things together, not like anything about what I'm doing is practical when it comes to guns.

Jagerdad · Sep 13, 2016

What I always do is ream TWO chambers. Now as odd as this sounds, hang on. The second Chamber is in a 10 inch old barrel set up like a Zip-Gun. I load a hot shotgun powder and cap the neck shut with Wax. I let it rip to Fireform the cases. They do not get fully formed but there's fun in the noise. I anneal them and repeat.

The brass ends up 90-98% fireformed and there is no wear on my new Barrel. This actually may be a "Should Do" for most or many new chambers. You'll hear someone shout...no need or, that's silly.

The first round in the new brass in the true Rifle has annealed brass and the Bullet (often a cast Bullet) driven into the lands.

NOW, anneal again and the Brass is Match Perfect. The unique aspect is that the same reamer and, at the same time in its wear-life, gives you two identical chambers. This "Option" from a custom gun builder used to be the norm but it has faded away because customers don't understand the concept therefore, don't know to ask for such.

But, it's all up to you.

Yes, the 260 AAR is a sexy cartridge and starts many conversations. There are similar 6.5's but honoring P.O. Ackley and his Naming was/is fun..and that's what doing your own thing is all about.

I have dropped many Bucks from long distances with that Sweet 260 AAR. Wives won't give the Rifle back and it's perfect for kids.

A Gentleman's cartridge

Jagerdad

BracNSW · Sep 16, 2016

I've got my grand dad's 1938 GE Mauser 8m he brought back and sporterized. Original barrel. Shot it today in prep for deer season. 10 shots of handloaded 180 grains and 2"x2" group.

Gets about 30 rounds per year through it and cleaned at the end of each season.

Taken an awful lot of deer with that gun over the last 40 years. It's taken a lot of punishment and keeps on shooting.

Cool thing is, it's got an ERMA conversion kit where you slide in a new bolt with a connecte barrel that sleeves into the 8mm, and a new magazine well, to shoot .22 long rifle.

Zeke · Sep 19, 2016

Some say there's no beating the quality or aesthetics of an old Mauser!

If I were doing a custom classic build with a "traditional" cartridge and a finely figured wood stock with awesome checkering then a customized Mauser would be great (or a pre-64 Win 70).

BUT... If I wanted a better trigger, faster lock-time and superior accuracy, there are many other new incarnations that I'd use.

It just all depends on what a guy is trying to accomplish and how custom he wants to go.

Some guys can't hunt with a Tupperware stock and a 700 clone action, others won't hunt without one.

Thank God we have so many diverse choices!
Zeke

Zeke · Sep 19, 2016

>
>I've been learning, also because
>I'm not one that asks
>to borrow someone's reamer or
>gauges, I will buy those
>myself.

There are companies out there who rent reamers and gauges so there's no reason to buy your own....unless you're planning on many builds.

With that said, do what floats your boat buy I'd rent one from a company who is in business to do so.

Zeke

Captain_coues · Sep 20, 2016

I'll look into that Zeke. I worry about the quality of a reamer that I'd rent. Of course I'm no expert and haven't built a rifle yet. If I'm successful and the build is a performer, I would build again, if not, I'd sell, trade or give away the components. So far I haven't spent any real money, but am actively looking. I will explore that avenue especially for the gauges.
Thanks

kilowatt · Sep 21, 2016

Robert....here are two more pictures but not too clear due to camera. There is a view I took of the left side of action that has the following from factory:
FAB.NAT.DARMS de GUERRE
HERSTAL-BELGIQUE 34509 This same number is stamped on barrel too.

Brian
http://i44.tinypic.com/es7x8z.jpg[/IMG]

Elkduds · Sep 29, 2016

If you come across an Interarms Mark X, it has a modern reproduction of Mauser 98 action.

RELH · Sep 29, 2016

I have two Interarms Mark X Mauser rifles. 300 Win. mag, and my favorite deer-antelope rifle in 25-06 caliber. I bought them as a barreled actions and they have custom stocks. Both are very accurate. They were made in Yugoslavia with excellent quality control. During the war there, the U.S. stopped any importing of firearms from the Serbs in that country.

RELH

Togwotee · Sep 30, 2016

At the time Mauser actions were popular there were obvious reasons, they were plentiful and cheap. in reality they were never anything special and they were never as good as a model 70 action.

I have a beautiful rifle built on a shortened Mauser by a long gone friend who was in the custom gun makers guild. that's exactly what he told me and I couldn't agree more.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

kilowatt · Sep 30, 2016

My rifle was built by a custom gunsmith by the name of Sam A. Miller who was also a member of custom gun makers guild. He worked over in Guam during the late 1940's and into the 1960's. I use to have an older version of that book with some of his work inside of it back in the early 1970's I think it was....miss placed it during moves once I came back to the states.
Not sure if old Sam is still alive but if he is he would be in his mid to late 90's now. The last I knew he was living in Point Roberts, WA

Brian
http://i44.tinypic.com/es7x8z.jpg[/IMG]