Mauser action for LR?

sigarms226

sigarms226

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I'm thinking of building up another precision rifle. Now I have an old used and abused Mauser in 6.5x55 with the worts barrel I've ever seen. Now original plans were to use this action as a base for a hunting rifle but my interests have changed. My question is, is this a reliable action for precision shooting? I've had great success with the M700 actions for such projects, just don't know if I will see the same results. Thanks.

P.S.
Anyone know of an stellar load for the 7mm RUM for LR?
 
I know that M98 actions have been used successfully, recently.
However the M96 that you might have isn't quite the action that the M98 is.
 
If you stay with a cartridge similar to the 6.5X55 loaded to similar pressure, mated with a good barrel you will have a fine rifle for target shooting provided to pay attention to the other nuances which go into building an accurate rifle. If you prefer to go to a high pressure round, particularly a round which uses the large RUM case, it would be better to choose a larger and stronger action.
 
Of course you can make up a good rifle.
Are there better actions for the purpose? Sure. Lock time, receiver stiffness come to mind. The former can be addressed, and really good bedding helps the latter.
Just a thought - if you are paying to have much of the work done, the labour cost will be more or less the same regardless of the action used. Saving a bit on the action doesn't affect the finished cost of the entire rifle all that much. And the action used will certainly affect the resale value, if that is a consideration.
Look at the asking price for the P-14 based .308 target rifles in the EE.
 
700 action

I would start with a good base that being the 700 action.
It's preferred by the gunsmiths and most precision shooters, over the mauser action. The mauser action is fine for a hunting rifle.
Bill
 
My first LR build was a 98, because that's what I had. It worked ok, and I shot it for 4 seasons. I then put together a 722 based rilfe, and was amazed at how much easier it was to shoot. In a way, shooting the mauser made me a better shooter, be cause the slower lock time made me concentrate on follow through. Tiriaq's right about the cost of a build. The barrel, labour etc. will all cost the same, so consider just how much you are saving overall.
 
I'm not a fan of old actions for high-pressure rounds. The Swede cartridge can be tuned down to a very manageable pressure, but it can also be used at very high pressures with Lapua brass and a good action.

If it's what you have, use it and enjoy it. It would not be my first choice, but it will work.
 
sigarms226 said:
I'm thinking of building up another precision rifle. Now I have an old used and abused Mauser in 6.5x55 with the worts barrel I've ever seen. Now original plans were to use this action as a base for a hunting rifle but my interests have changed. My question is, is this a reliable action for precision shooting? I've had great success with the M700 actions for such projects, just don't know if I will see the same results. Thanks.

P.S.
Anyone know of an stellar load for the 7mm RUM for LR?
Click to expand...

Yoo Hoo!! Nineteen-sixty-six wants its gunsmithing idea back!

Seriously, the only Mauser you should consider is one with a very fast striker, a solid bottom, no thumb cut-out and a small ejection port. This BTW describes a Musgrave TR. If you are willing to weld up your action, then have at it. Alternatively, turn the whole action in the lathe to make it cylindrical and sleeve it like you would a Remington 700.
 
b72471 said:
I would start with a good base that being the 700 action.
It's preferred by the gunsmiths and most precision shooters, over the mauser action. The mauser action is fine for a hunting rifle.
Bill
Click to expand...

I've already got two custom jobs on the M700 don't need another one. Just have this mauser taking up space thought I'd put it to use.
 
Ummm, you do realize that the .260 is a high-pressure round, right?
SAAMI specs call for peak pressure of 60,000 psi, as opposed to 51,000 for the Swede.
 
From a cost standpoint, pretty hard to beat a CG63 from Tradeex.
You couldn't build a rifle on your action for the cost of one of these. Of course, they are iron sighted target rifles, and if you wanted a 'scope, that would require the usual modifications.
It would be easier, and likely more cost effective to start with a Stevens 200.
But if you want to use the action you have, go for it.
 
Splatter said:
Ummm, you do realize that the .260 is a high-pressure round, right?
SAAMI specs call for peak pressure of 60,000 psi, as opposed to 51,000 for the Swede.
Click to expand...

I'm looking for thoughts not attitude. Besides I do realise that, and I was informed one could load it down enough to use it very well. Since most of you have pretty much shot down this idea, I guess that rifle will keep on collecting dust. I'll just keep tweaking what I've already built up.
 
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sigarms226 said:
I was never planning on high preasure rounds.... I was leaning toward the 260 Rem.
Click to expand...
Splatter said:
Ummm, you do realize that the .260 is a high-pressure round, right?
Click to expand...


sigarms226 said:
I'm looking for thoughts not attitude :jerkit: off . Besides I do realise that, and I was informed by a very compitant smith that we could make it work.
Click to expand...

Sure, call me a 'jerk-off' because I point-out an error.


I'm sure your "very compitant smith" (sic) could make .338 Lapua work, loaded down, of course.

If you want to use this action, I'd think you would want to use a cartidge with a smaller head diameter to limit bolt thrust. So 6mm PPC or 6.5 Grendel would probably be good choices, or even something with the 0.378" head, like 6x47 or .223



Thanx for only calling me a jerk-off for a little while.
 
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Splatter said:
If you want to use this action, I'd think you would want to use a cartidge with a smaller head diameter to limit bolt thrust. So 6mm PPC or 6.5 Grendel would probably be good choices, or even something with the 0.378" head, like 6x47 or .223
Click to expand...

You make an extremely valid point that others have overlooked. Pressure IS NOT the same as bolt thrust.

You can have a high pressure cartridge with a small head diameter that can generate far less thrust than a low pressure cartridge with large head diameter. (actually it is not head diameter but cartridge diameter)

Thrust (force) is pressure times area, so just looking at pressure is only valid when comparing cartridges with the same size cartridge diameter.
 
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Splatter said:
Sure, call me a 'jerk-off' because I point-out an error.

I appreciate the fact you are pointing out a safety factor, and yes my gunsmith could be mistaken. I am sorry. I am only looking for constructive critisism and I took that the wrong way. I just took his word for it, as I am new to building up rifles I'm used to newer firearms.
Click to expand...
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Yoo Hoo!! Nineteen-sixty-six wants its gunsmithing idea back!

Alternatively, turn the whole action in the lathe to make it cylindrical and sleeve it like you would a Remington 700.
Click to expand...

Yoo Hoo!! Nineteen-seventy-one wants its gunsmithing idea back!:rolleyes:

Does anyone do this anymore? We just went through this on this board, and it didn't look like anyone makes sleeves.
 
sigarms226 said:
Splatter said:
Sure, call me a 'jerk-off' because I point-out an error.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the fact you are pointing out a safety factor, and yes my gunsmith could be mistaken.
Click to expand...

Actually, your gunsmith is quite correct, the .260 could be loaded to 6.5x55 pressure levels, and it would work great... of course it would be a 6.5 swede just in a 5mm shorter case.

While you can, of course, do what you want; but, do you really want a rifle chambered in a commonly available factory cartridge that can't safely fire factory ammo?

The 6.5 Swede is a fine LR cartridge all on it's own. And I really think something like 6.5 Grendel would work well.
 
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