My custom 6.5x55

jbmauser

jbmauser

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
194   0   0
Location
Mauser Oberndorf
I thought I'd share some pics of the first custom rifle I built by myself. The only work I didn't do was the actual welding of the bolt handle, which I had a professional welder do with a tig. I did the cutting off of the old handle, mounting it in the jig, filing, polishing, etc.

Because it was the first one I did, I just bought one of the cheap short chambered, pre threaded barrels sold under the Brownell's name just in case I managed to screw something up with the finish reaming. It turned out perfect though and shoots under 2moa easily with most loads and right around 1moa with my hunting load using 130gr TSX.

The action started out as a Persian M49 made in the Army's Arms Factory. It had been drilled and tapped before I got the bare action so no historical military firearms were harmed in the making of this rifle. :) Bolt lugs were lapped, bolt face trued, action full length bedded, a commercial cocking piece installed, low swing safety, Bold trigger, and a Parker Hale hinged floor plate was bead blasted and Cera-kote'd. Bolt handle is an Oberndorf style and to be honest not the best design to operate but it gives it a bit of a different look. The stock is a Richards that has been trimmed down with the cheek piece removed.

The scope is a Weaver Classic V 2-10x38 in Burris rings.

I built this several years ago and used it to take a nice mature 4x4 whitetail in 2008.
62cf3bb1-a69d-46c2-b926-1cadfe44c1b3.jpg

DSC_0400.jpg

DSC_0401.jpg

DSC_0403.jpg

DSC_0404.jpg
 
Last edited:
track said:
Congrats! Nice job. Let us know how it shoots?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comments everyone.

It shoots fine. Initially I had the barrel free floated and had trouble getting groups less than 1 1/2moa. I've since bedded in a pressure point and now my hunting loads avg right around 1moa or a little better. I haven't actually shot it in a year or so. Too many other projects and new toys on the go but maybe it will get a work out this summer for some target practice.
 
Remembering said:
That's a great looking rifle, well done!! Is it #### on opening or closing and is the action smooth?
Click to expand...
Thanks. It's just a standard M98 action so #### on opening. The action is reasonably smooth but really the Persian made action is not as nicely machined as the Czech actions even though it was done with Czech equipment and training.

It feeds and ejects 100% so that's the main thing.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Nice bottom metal. I can't get revved up about plywood but it's not a bad build at all.
Click to expand...

I have a total of 2 laminate stocked rifles, both my own builds, and that's probably enough for me. I really prefer a nice walnut and blued rifle and if I decide to build my own .35 cal to complete my collection, I'll pick up a nice higher grade walnut stock for it.
 
I dont know how I missed this thread, but that is a fine looking rifle!
The colors of the stock and the snow are pretty impressive too.
Something about the colors of winter and mans modern creations...
Thanks for sharing your build.
Rob
 
I guess the whole custom thing is very subjective...and to each his own. Having something that reflects specific tastes is ok I suppose - assuming you can achieve this with your selected gunsmith (usually they have their own - well tested - preferences that they may encourage you to adhere to).. anyway originally using a military Mauser action for a home built rifle was intended to save money .... now that the cost of assembling one has increased dramatically and good used donor actions are pretty pricy .. commercial products are (imo only) a better option.

with the use of cad cam and robotics - I think todays factory actions (actually the entire rifles) are inexpensive (relatively) have excellent metallurgy, fast lock time, great features and very nice looking stocks with shapes to fit every taste. Personally I think a guy can spend an awful lot with a custom build that may only improve the factory product by a very small increment. The Sako Safari is an example of a rifle that no gunsmith I know could duplicate - starting from nothing - for anywhere near that price IF they had to build the action and the drop magazine. Yet available for about $3500. Similarly if your taste is high gloss bluing a Sako Deluxe or Finnsport 2700 will shame any attempt at the same I have seen ... although I have seen one or two excellent examples turned out by Epps a few decades ago.

I have a Sako full stock .243W that I couldnt improve on. And an old Remington M700 SA Classic in 350 Rem Mag. was (imo only I understand) was pretty nice right out of the box!

I guess for now - for me - customs dont represent as good a value as a carefully used Remington, Sako, Steyr, etc or a Tikka m65/55
 
Well maybe a custom does not do so much for you ... But around Christmas time there was a custom Mauser came up for sale .
It was built on a 33/40 action and has a Douglas barrel and cambered in 257 Roberts , with a high grade wood stock . I would not part with that Mauser for a brand new gun . I paid what a new Remington or Winchester would have have cost but believe this is a way better deal ..
 
mike Crawford said:
Well maybe a custom does not do so much for you ... But around Christmas time there was a custom Mauser came up for sale .
It was built on a 33/40 action and has a Douglas barrel and cambered in 257 Roberts , with a high grade wood stock . I would not part with that Mauser for a brand new gun . I paid what a new Remington or Winchester would have have cost but believe this is a way better deal ..
Click to expand...

You lucky SOB!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom