How should this Mauser Kurz identify?

Which chambering and configuration for the Kurz?

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Ardent

Ardent

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Picked up a Kurz (short action) Oberndorf commercial Mauser from Ralf Martini. Didn’t really need it, but you don’t come across them every day either. This is the second one I’ve had, spurned by missing the first. Have made little secret of my appreciation for .25s and .308s as of late, and this one is a .250 Savage with a new 1-10” Heym barrel by Ralf, a chambering I’ve only sparingly had in a Ruger No.1A a good dozen years ago. I’ve always thought it a particularly well balanced cartridge, and just the same for my appreciation of velocity have always marched past it straight to the .257 Roberts, which makes the 3000fps level with bullets I like. If it’s going to be a .25, I like it fast, but… I haven’t tried a moderate one at length just yet, either. These days my hunting will be Blacktail with the kids, and there will be the odd sheep hunt as they get the legs for it. Most of what I need day to day for a rifle for is a handy aircraft gun, for working BC and the western Territories.

So I’ve got a three forked road ahead, keep it a .250-3000 and trim it down to 20”, it’s presently a 22”. Or rechamber to .257 Roberts (they fit in the mag) to keep things consistent with the other Roberts’ I own and all the stashed ammo, and leave it at 22”. Or last but not least, make a 19” .308 (also fit in the mag) of it and focus on the use it aspect and make it handy, my goal being to have the .308 be the backbone of the cabinet anyhow. The .25 barrel would certainly stay around, and I’d match the profile likely so I can change my mind at later date.

All three will have good iron sights added, can’t have a Mauser without them, and I’ll make a stock for it regardless which way it goes. She’s presently in a really nice original Oberndorf Type B stock that I can’t haul afield in good conscience, and it’s a good excuse to make another nice stock still have some really special blanks on the shelf.

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Buckmastr said:
Nice piece. I’d keep the 250 savage at 22” and be happy. It’s already just where it needs to be.
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I’m afraid that may not be in my nature. :d Anyone formed .250 Savage from .22-250? Thinking of ordering some Lapua .22-250, long as the necks don’t end up too thin. First things first will have to find out how it shoots as she stands. Just need Alberta to stop burning to get back to it.

SHELL SHUCKER said:
Definitely keep 'er in 250 Savage. Ideal for yer intended use. A 20" tube would suit me as well. Beauty rifle. :cool:
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It seems a tad long to the eye with the short Oberndorf fore end, granted can’t be seen in the quick pics I took before I left. I’m thinking I’ll only keep the 22” if I go .257 R to make use of the powder, or if it shoots bug holes as is. But I may soften my stance.
 
I noticed that rifle, thanks for removing the temptation.

If I were doing it I'd keep it as a 22"/.250, but I'd turn that stock into firewood. I would make a new stock something along these lines:

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The bottom rifle is a .250 Savage that belongs to Jim Carmicheal.

I had a K-Mauser in .250 long ago. I had thoughts of rebarreling to .308, but the mag well was too narrow, causing the rounds to stack as the magazine filled resulting in feeding problems, and on mine the .308 rounds were a tad too long to fit into the magazine. The feed ramp would have had to have been altered and fairly extensive mods to the mag box for it to work with .308. Maybe yours has already been altered.

P.S. the barrel length on the original rifles was 55cm/21.65" unless it was a full wood type S or M. My fantasy .308 would have kept to those dimensions.
 

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250 savage for the win. Bullets have great improved since the 30s. 1 in 10 will still spin 117 to 120gr even if your only getting 2700fps. Still plenty lethal for smaller deer. 100gr partition you should be able to pass 2900fps. Hard to argue that from such a mild mannered cartridge
 
9.3mauser said:
I noticed that rifle, thanks for removing the temptation.

If I were doing it I'd keep it as a 22"/.250, but I'd turn that stock into firewood. I would make a new stock something along these lines:

The bottom rifle is a .250 Savage that belongs to Jim Carmicheal.

I had a K-Mauser in .250 long ago. I had thoughts of rebarreling to .308, but the mag well was too narrow, causing the rounds to stack as the magazine filled resulting in feeding problems, and on mine the .308 rounds were a tad too long to fit into the magazine. The feed ramp would have had to have been altered and fairly extensive mods to the mag box for it to work with .308. Maybe yours has already been altered.

P.S. the barrel length on the original rifles was 55cm/21.65" unless it was a full wood type S or M. My fantasy .308 would have kept to those dimensions.
Click to expand...

I haven’t tried feeding, just stuffing the .308s in the box, good chance it would need adjustments. FMJs and conventional hunting bullets fit, but not SMK Gold Match or modern hunting rounds, they’d need a hair shaved. Totally in agreement on the stock lines, I’m going to pattern it after a Satterlee stock I had. Interestingly, there’s less slop in the action than my long and intermediate Oberndorfs. I think that’s just a function of a shorter bolt, the same play may well be there but the handle has less range to wiggle as it’s closer to the bolt head. It feels remarkably tight for a Mauser.

brybenn said:
250 savage for the win. Bullets have great improved since the 30s. 1 in 10 will still spin 117 to 120gr even if you’re only getting 2700fps. Still plenty lethal for smaller deer. 100gr partition you should be able to pass 2900fps. Hard to argue that from such a mild mannered cartridge
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Hard to argue with indeed, one things for sure I need to try it first, and see what I think, dies are waiting at home just need to score some brass. Might be awhile with this western Alberta fire situation before there’s a break to fiddle.
 
I think you're doing the right thing by seeing how it shoots the way it is, then make your decision. Personally I like a little speed as well, and would prefer a 257 Roberts. Either way its a very nice rifle. I would leave the barrel length as is. jmo
 
Wow Ardent, I cannot even pick one. Every option sounds great.

Gonna go with the ever so cliche "you can't go wrong any way you go here"

Think the smartest way is what you're doing. Unless you can't live with changing it from 250-3000, then Bob it! (Not in the Lorena sense haha)
 
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Is the OAL of 257 Roberts cases less than 8x57 and 7x57?

Does a Kurz action just have ample extra space for longer cartridges? Seems like a missed opportunity for factory chamberings
 
I’m big on the standardized load bench and components, if I’m honest it’ll likely become a ‘Bob or .308 for that reason. The Roberts just does so much of what I like, and so well. It’s a decent .270, a decent .243, and a decent 7x57. But the .250 Savage may yet surprise me, haven’t used it enough and will approach it with an open mind.

I won’t be in a rush on the chambering, good chance the .308 barrel of the same contour will happen regardless as a change back to .25 is just a quick affair. I’ve just started to get my new lathe running and matching Ralf’s contour in a .308 barrel would be a good first project for it.
 
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