Husqvarna/Gustaf rifles - New Rifle Build Question

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sixpackworld

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Hi everyone,

Okay here it goes. Upon exhausting (really it was a decent attempt) the vast world wide web I've learned absolutely nothing about these rifles other than Gustaf bought out Husqvarna in the early 70's... Furthermore there's very little info when using the search function. :confused:

Nothing specific about models, calibres, actions, finishes, stocks, and PRICES etc.

So I come to all of you in search of any info, web links, or opinions you can contribute.

I ask because a friend has offered me his Husqvarna/Gustaf 7mm Rem Mag for $1000 and I have no idea what the going rate of these rifles are. It's a light "yellow/blonde" stock with rosewood (?) tip and grip cap. The rifle is very gently used in 97% to 98% condition, no real marks at all, low round count, just a slight rub on one side of the stock. Metal is bright and shiny blue. Tapped and mounted with rings but not sure of the brand... I know, vague!

I know, I know, someone is going to say without pictures this thread is useless but I can't get any right now as he's half moved away and I can't get access to the rifle. :rolleyes:

So, can you guys help out a fellow gun nut and tell me what you think of these rifles and if it's unheard of or unwise to spend $1000 on a very very good condition one? :)

Much appreciated!

SPW
 
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guido said:
It aint worth $1000
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I wouldn' t sell any of mine for less than that. Smoothest bolt action ever made. The Carl Gustaf was every bit as good as the HVA .
 
I wouldn' t sell any of mine
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Period!

Is it worth $1000; don't know.
They can be bought cheeper but you get what you pay for. If you've handled the rifle, go to a gun shop and compare other rifles to it. Check their prices against it and decide if it's worth it to you.
 
joe m said:
Period!

Is it worth $1000; don't know.
They can be bought cheeper but you get what you pay for. If you've handled the rifle, go to a gun shop and compare other rifles to it. Check their prices against it and decide if it's worth it to you.
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There is no other rifle that compares with this.
 
It's a push feed,and Husqvarna was very proud of the design. Compare it to a Sako for pricing, the Deluxe Sakos go for around that used(new $2100-2300).As for a 7mm,check the throat.
 
:D Hahaha, from my research on here I see you guys and 264magnum are the big Husqvarna advocates! I'm going to go for it, I was just looking for some background information. I saw 264magnum's model breakdown on a past thread which was helpful.

I don't suppose any of you can provide a cartridge list of what was offered in these rifles? And were the stocks made exclusively from walnut? And is the tip and cap made of rosewood on your rifles? :confused:

And... would you guys care to share which models and calibres you guys have??? :rolleyes:

From what I've read it seems like once you get the bug you're hooked!:p
 
downwindtracker2 said:
It's a push feed,and Husqvarna was very proud of the design. Compare it to a Sako for pricing, the Deluxe Sakos go for around that used(new $2100-2300).As for a 7mm,check the throat.
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You can"t compare a pristine Husky(Carl Gustaf) To A SAKO Not even in the same league.
 
Well since I'm biased I might as well put in my 2 cents. You won't find a better rifle built on a push feed action than these ones. You can't compare them to a Sako of today because that is like comparing a Pinto to a BMW. No comparison. The old Sako L61Rs that were pre Garcia could be compared to them but certainly not the 75s or 85s. There were 3 different brand of rifles made on the 1900 action.(push feed Carl Gustaf is what most people know it as) There were Husqvarna, Carl Gustaf, and Smith and Wesson. Husqvarna made them until about 1971, then FFV(Carl Gustaf made them from 71-79. Husqvarna produced the Smith and Wesson rifles during the time they produced their own, prior to 71. These dates are just close not solid fact. The rifles were chambered in 3 magnums, 7mm Rem, 300 Win, and 358 Norma. The standard calibers were 222, 22-250, 243, 25-06, 6.5X55, 270, 30-06, 9.3X62. I have heard rumours of other calibers but these were the basic chamberings and the most common. The 3 main rifles models that you run across are the 8000, 9000, and the Varmint/Target. The 8000 model was called a Grade III and the 9000 was called a Grade II once FFV took over manufacturing. The Smith and Wesson models were called A,B,C,D,E but there aren't many of them in Canada becuase they weren't imported as far as I know. There are a number of them in the States. The 9000 rifle is an oil finished stock with open sights and a polished bolt, the 8000 has a clean barrel,jewelled bolt, engraved floorplate and a shiny lacquer finished stock, and the Var/Tar has a big heavy Target style stock, barrel that is 28" long and .850" diameter, and a special trigger than can be adjusted down to a few ounces. The other models had an adjustable trigger that really only goes down to 3-4 lbs in my experience. Hit and miss as some had great triggers and some not as good. There were other models but these are the 3 main ones we see in Canada. The guns went through 4 different markings as they transitioned from Husqvarna to Carl Gustaf. FFV had a deal to stamp them as Husqvarnas for a while. The ones Husqvarna produced had Husqvarna stamped on the receiver, then they had FFV Husqvarna stamped on them, then they went to HVA Carl Gustaf and finally Carl Gustaf-Sweden. Is the gun you are looking at worth $1000? I have sold a few unfired rifles for $1000 or a hair more in the last few years. So I would have to say that price is high for a used one. If it was an 8000 in close to mint shape I don't think it would be out of line as some of them had spectacular wood and they were worth 25% than a 9000 in about 1975. You won't find a better gun so if you like it then buy it but if it has open sights and fairly plain wood I think the price is high. Hope all this helps. If I've missed anything point it out as I'm always learning about these fine rifles.
 
That yellow/blonde wood is french walnut.Both stocks I have with it are very pale.As a wood,it's generally considered a better gunstock wood,than our black walnut.
 
264magnum has it pretty much right. The only thing I would add is that there was also a Target Model 222 that had a huge plastic bolt knob about an inch in diameter. It was designed for shooting running boar competiton, and there were some sold in Canada. I know, because I sold them! :D

He is certainly correct when he says they are far better quality than the current SAKO models 75 and 85. They aren't even close to a Husqvarna.

I would say that if it appeals to you and is in excellent condition buy the rifle. They aren't going down in value, that's for sure!

Ted
 
:) Thanks for all the info guys! Well... I call up my buddy and say let's go... and the guy backs out on the deal :( But he's a friends so what can I do...

But now I have the bug! :p Now would like to know about rebarreling a Husky? As you can tell I don't know much at all about Mauser actions but am definitely interested!

Looking at tradexcanada.com I see they have:

1. Husqvarna built 8x57 sporting rifles on FN 98 commercial actions
2. Husqvarna Model 146's on a mauser 98 actions in 8x57
3. Husqvarna Model 46 in 9.3x57
4. Husqvarna 1600 series rifles in 30-06.

All are relativeily cheap and I can pick one out with perfect metal.

Which of these can be built to 7mm RM or 300 WM, or how about larger like 340 or 378 Weatherby Mag, 9.3x62 or 375 H&H? And furthermore, do I want to build up one of these, or go with a newly manufactured barreled action? Personally I think going old is a more my style ;)

Finally do I then just buy a semi finished walnut stock and have my 'smith finish it off? I want to go fancy walnut, are any of these action easier to fit to a stock than the others? I should point out I have all the time and patience in the world...

And lastly, should I start a new thread for this or just keep it going here?

Thanks for all the help! :)

SPW
 
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The model 46 is a 96 Mauser, not up to the conversion you want to do.
The 146 is a 98 Mauser and I can tell you in the 9,3x57 what it can do:
93Rack.jpg

You really won't need more than this cartridge for Canada, it is pure classic.
And yes, this rifle came from Anthony's shop too, he is great to deal with!

The 375H&H will be hard to wedge into the action without alot of expense.
Same goes for the 340 and 378, they are just too long.
The 300 or 7 Rem Mag is doable as they are made for a standard length action.

Noel
 
SPW

If you can find a large ring 9.3x57, you can have it reamed to x62, otherwise I would just go to gun shows and find what you are looking for. Of course if you want to rebarrel a rifle, go with a large ring. Good luck.
 
If you go with a rifle from Tradexcanada and if you want to mount a scope on your new rifle, you may have to have it drilled and tapped($15-$20/hole), have the bolt handle modified or replaced($100-$150) and replace the safety($???).

Personally, I'd go with a Mauser 98 in 9.3X57 and have it rechambered to 9.3X62.

Or, find an early 50's FN Mauser or JC Higgins in .270 Win or .30-06 and have the rifle rebarreled at Bits of Pieces with a Heym pre-threaded/prechambered M98 barrel in 9.3X62. Cost for the barrel is around $250.00 plus about $50 to install and headspace. Of course bluing would be extra. D & T, bolt handle and safety are already done so no cost there.
 
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I've got a 1953 Husquvarna on a commercial FN mauser 98 action in 270 and except for improving the trigger and replacing the scope (which I'm doing before next season) I wouldn't do anything else to it.

A buddy has the same rifle in 30-06 that is even nicer than mine and I've seen the J.C. Higgins rifles (FN action, High-Standard barrel and stocks) and been impressed too.
 
Why not just buy the 1600 in 30/06 and leave it alone. Great caliber and lots of bullet choices.
 
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Husqvarna

I bought mine in Dec., 1949, very shortly after Husqvarna went into the post war commercial market. It is a large ring, commercial Mauser, with the Swedish symol on the ring, along with the word, "Sweden." It has a lightweight 24 in. barrel, tapered to as small an outside diameter at the muzzle, as I have ever seen on a commercial 30-06. The stock is not walnut, but has cut checkering and a very comfortable fit, with the larger type forend. I hunted with it over a wide range of bush and mountains, with a Lyman 48 peep sight, which required no drilling to mount. The lightweight rifle with no scope, but a good sling, was an utter joy to carry on tough mountain trips. Much handier than when I later mounted a scope on it and the scope did nothing I couldn't do with the Lyman Peep! I also glass beddedd it and installed a good custom trigger. I then found out that 5 shots could be put into a one inch group at 100 yds, if the shooter did his part.
In the early sixties, at least, Husqvarna was also making a lighter weight model, a few dollars cheaper, calling it "Husky." Or maybe "Huskie." That model is easily distinguished by the ramp for the front sight being mounted nearly an inch further back on the barrel, and the stock forend is smaller, with the little "knob."
My advice to the gentleman, would also be, to get the old commercial 30-06 Husqvarna, and forget about any magnum calibre.
 
Hey thanks for all the advice guys. I've handled a Husqvarna 30-06, not sure which era, but the action was smooth as silk. I also agree that 30-06 is a great calibre, and I assure you all that I fully intend on getting one as soon as it's feasible, but for the moment I need something larger.

We're doing black bear on the island through thick as pea soup bush and I'm warned that tracking a wounded one through this mess can be quite deadly as you can't see more than a foot in front of you.

I have until the spring to put together a magnum calibre gun, but don't worry, for next fall I plan on getting an old HVA 30-06 deer gun. I'm not much into the new moderately priced guns, maybe I'm a little old fashion but the fit and finish just doesn't justify the price. Even at $2500 for a Sauer, I could scope a mint Husqvarna for that price. They're classy is what I think I'm getting at...

I've been offered another magnum calibre Husky and if I can come up with the money I think that may be the way to go. It definitely comes out cheaper to just buy an already put together gun. I'd still like to do a project though.

But if not I think the general consensus is to buy a large ring commercial Mauser or FN 98 action, buy a Mauser in 9.3x57 and have it rechambered, or just wait for a Husky in 9.3x62. Other than that buy one of the magnum Husky's...

Noel, that's a beautiful gun you have there, did you bag that with the iron sights? Pretty impresive, how close were you to it?

Again, thanks for all the advice!

SPW
 
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