Mauser build

[303carbine]

I picked up a Model 98 Mauser in 8mm-06 wildcat a while back and wanted to change it to something more useful for me.I picked up a nice 22 inch chrome lined FN made 30-06 barrel off the EE forum and had a local smith spin it on and headspace it. First trip to the range the 180 grain Nosler Partition's shot under an inch at 100 yds.The 165 BTSP Hornady's shot an inch as well as did the 150 SP Hornady's. The 180 grain Speer's shot just over an inch but acceptable for hunting for sure. Next up will be some 220 grainers just to see how new to me 06 will perform with the bigger pills.I love it when a plan comes together.


It's too bad I didn't find this rifle before it was altered. It's a 1937 Sauer Model 98 action with all matching numbers.Every part of the gun matched right down to the small parts of the safety and the floorplate had a matching number.I offered to buy the rifle when it was still an original 8mm Mauser with all the wood still attached. The guy I bought it off had sold the wood and sported it before selling it.He then defiled the rifle more by making it into an 8mm-06 and removing the iron sights, so now it's something that can never be made back to the original old glory it once was.
The rifle now has an FN made chrome lined 22 inch barrel with irons. The stock now is a nice figured Fajen type without checkering. I still wish I had this rifle when it was an original 8mm Mauser............

 

[todbartell]

what was wrong with the 8mm - 06

 

[303carbine]

My sonpassed his CORE program and expressed some interest in the rifle and I think it's a better idea for an 06 for him to try reloading for intead of an obscure wildcat. The 8mm-06 was a good shooter , just not very easy to find good boolits for.

 

[Pat Brennan]

Good caliber choice for hunting BC. What I did in a similar situation with my son (30-06 for hunting) was put a good 1" decelerator on his rifle, use 150 grain bullets and load down his practise shells somewhat to keep recoil manageable for him.
Having gone through my youth with a hard kicking 30-06 that did nothing positive for my shooting skills and having seen many people develop a very nice flinch from shooting heavily loaded 30-06 rifles, I felt this was a better way to go with him. He's turned into a decent shot with a rifle, very good with a pistol, and can school me any day he wants with a shotgun.
Just a suggestion, FWIW.
Pat

 

[SuperCub]

I think it's a better idea for an 06 for him to try reloading for intead of an obscure wildcat. The 8mm-06 was a good shooter , just not very easy to find good boolits for.

Let the kid load for the 8/06. He'll be way cooler than his buddies and think of the loading stuff you could buy for the cost of changing the bbls.

I'd leave it and let him change it down the road, esp if it's a good shooter. The only real advantage to swapping out for the 06 would be a few extra bullets to choose from, but that's it.

IMHO ........ of course!


.

 

[Noel]

The 8mm-06 was a good shooter , just not very easy to find good boolits for.

Jon, I've been punching the 180gr Noslers into blocks of solid pine and they are holding up suprisingly well. The 200gr Accubonds are holding up to the same test too. The bulk Remmy 185gr PSP's seem pretty good too.

Wouldn't it be prudent to have him shoot it a bit before swapping it out?

 

[todbartell]

well its a 30-06 now anways so who cares

30-06 rules!

 

[blargon]

there ain't nothin ya cain't kill witha ought-6

 

[Noel]

well its a 30-06 now anways so who cares

30-06 rules!

When it comes right down to it, the old reliable will do it all no doubt and it is likely a good alternative for a newbie but when he has already got the kid started on the road to be a hardcore hunting/ gun collecting nut ( no offence of course). Give him something different.

At least he's teaching him to use a Mauser instead of those disposable Remchesters!

 

[Winz]

It's too bad I didn't find this rifle before it was altered. It's a 1937 Sauer Model 98 action with all matching numbers.Every part of the gun matched right down to the small parts of the safety and the floorplate had a matching number.I offered to buy the rifle when it was still an original 8mm Mauser with all the wood still attached. The guy I bought it off had sold the wood and sported it before selling it.He then defiled the rifle more by making it into an 8mm-06 and removing the iron sights, so now it's something that can never be made back to the original old glory it once was.
The rifle now has an FN made chrome lined 22 inch barrel with irons. The stock now is a nice figured Fajen type without checkering. I still wish I had this rifle when it was an original 8mm Mauser............

I get your frustration...I'm all for tinkering and doing some customising on one's guns but when it comes to particularly special pieces with matching numbers and all, I can't understand the desire to bubba it.

For a Mauser project, I'd simply buy a cheap Mauser action, or an already bubba'ed milsurp, etc...

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Nothing shabby about the 8mm-06. I like the .30-06 but I'd have left it as was, for the time being anyway. While there may not be the selection of bullets available that there is for some other calibres, there are some pretty good ones out there. More than adequate to get the job done.