Rebarreling?

[Boer seun]

Hi everyone
After a 2week wait for the post office I finally got my Iranian Mauser.
The Idea was to restock it as a sporter.
Only now do I realize how much I need to spend on this gun.
The bore is great looks new but when I took of the fore-stock I relized what an ugly shape the barrel has, Ths will be purely cosmetic but not what I have in mind.
So my first question is: How much would a new barrel cost and is there any gunsmiths around here who could do it?
Would I have to re-register it if it has a new barrel?
I should also add that I would like express Iron sights installed.
The trigger is pretty stiff, so that will be changed. What should I get and how much will it cost?
The bolt has to be bent or a new one installed (cost?)
And I will have to get a new stock I dont want to order it from the US anyone in Canada who has stock blanks?
I was told by the seller that it takes the same kind of stock the m98 takes.
Oh and the action would need reblueing.
I am on a verry tight budget and would probably have to do all of this in phases ad the meagre money comes in.
Please refer me to some reputable gunsmiths and if you can give me a guestimate on the total cost.
Thanks in advance
Johan

 

[dan belisle]

1) Gaillard makes barrels and is in Saskatchewan. $325 and up for the barrel only, machining for installation and finishing is on top of that. Figure at least another $200, probably more like $300.
2) No, you don't have to reregister it because you rebarreled it.
3) Iron sights will be extra, figure at least $100 for the parts and another $100 for the labour.
4) Timney or such, about $100 or so, you can install it yourself.
5) Bend and reshape a bolt handle, or cut off the old one and weld on a new one, roughly another $100.
6) Stocks are anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to the "sky's the limit". $200 or so will get you tupperware or ugly wood.
7) Reblue will require beadblasting or polishing first, which requires disassembly etc. Time consuming, but you should be able to sneak in around the $200 mark if you don't want a high polish finish (takes much more time, and time is money).
You will also need new bottom metal to make this a real sporter and not a truck gun, and that will cost you anywhere from $200 to $2000, depending on what you want.
Sporterising Mausers is only inexpensive if you can do the work yourself, otherwise you may as well save your money (and it WILL be cheaper in the long run) and buy a used factory rifle. On the other hand, this is an excellant way to learn how to do the work yourself, and none of this is rocket science. It just takes a certain level of skill, a lot of patience and focus, and in the case of certain individuals, artistic gifts from the gods. Not for most of us tho'. FWIW - dan

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

You won't have to reregister it, but if you make a change in caliber you will have to have the smith amend the registration to reflect the changes.
The days of building a cheap sporter from a milsurp type rifle are over. You can build a real nice rifle from it, but it ain't cheap, and resale of a "sporterized" milsurp is lower than the initial investment, so not a good investment if the plan does not come off right

 

[Mauser98]

If you want to mount a scope, you will have to drill and tap for scope bases at a cost of $15-$20 per hole and the safety will have to be changed to one that is compatible with a scope I.E. either use a new low-swing safety or use a trigger with the safety incorporated in it.

I've sporterized a couple of Mauser and all I can say is - bring your cheque book.

 

[Boer seun]

It has been drilled and tapped before so that is no problem, the scope mounted on it now is a high mounted scope so bending the bolt ain't crucial.
and can wait.
Looks like this is gonna take a couple of years to complete but guess thats part of the expierience.

I wonder what your thoughts are 7x57 vs 8x57?
and what would I need to change on the action if I decide to go with the 7x57?

 

[X-man]

Keep your Mauser as issued. Best bet is go pick up a new Stevens 200 or pick-up a used rifle from your local shop or here on the exchange forums. You'll need to spend the price of a new rifle to get your "sporter' where you want it. You'll be lucky to recoup 1/2 the cost of the build if you go to sell.

 

[kombi1976]

It has been drilled and tapped before so that is no problem, the scope mounted on it now is a high mounted scope so bending the bolt ain't crucial.
and can wait.
Looks like this is gonna take a couple of years to complete but guess thats part of the expierience.

I wonder what your thoughts are 7x57 vs 8x57?
and what would I need to change on the action if I decide to go with the 7x57?

If your action is pre-drilled you are a big leap ahead, although if you want a low mounted scope later on that bolt handle will have to either be bent or cut and replaced with an aftermarket handle from Brownells or Numrichs.
I'm in a similar position to you.
I was after something with more thump than my 303/25 to use for deer but had a modest budget.
I managed to pick up a bubba'd 1941 Kar98k with matching numbers & waffenampts in 8x57 for $120 which has a shiney bore but plenty of pitting on the barrel.
Since I've bought it I spent $70 getting the bolt handle altered and $50 having it drilled and tapped.
Add $70 for a Leupold bridgemount and superhigh rings and it's already up to $240.
The add your scope(mine was just a cheap Tasco.....$170) & you've already spent over $400.
Mind you, many people would spend that much on the scope alone.
I'll probably be restocking it with a Boyds walnut military stock including handguard for that military sniper look with a difference.
The only alteration with be a Limbsaver or Decelerator pad instead of the nasty steel item.
Here's the rifle as it is at present:

It isn't pretty but it's accurate enough and quite functional.

If you really want a 8x57, and the old 8mm is quite up to everything with the exception of brown or grizzly bear, and can't afford it straight up then staying with a project rifle is probably the best option as only the European companies tend to chamber it in new rifles and they cost a fortune, more's the pity.
If 7x57 is more to your liking then Ruger does one in the M77 Mk2 Standard line and also does the No.1a and No1.RSI.
CZ also makes a couple of models in 7x57 but again, the dollars are starting to mount up so if you want a rifle with individuality then maybe the custom build is for you.
But X-Man is right.
If a 7mm-08 would make you just as happy then a Stevens 200 can be had very a good price.
Mind you they don't have open sights and the stock is plastic, albeit a decent plastic stock with pillar bedding, but still plastic.
If you're set on doing the custom Mauser thing then there need be no alterations on the action to rebarrel to 7x57(correct me if I'm wrong here).
Consider 7x57 Ackley Improved too and if you're really adventurous 9.3x62 is another cartridge that should fit without a problem, so long as the action was built for 8x57.
As far as a barrel goes, keep you eyes peeled at shows or for people clearing their garages & gun rooms.
They can be had for around $150 mark or even less.
Blueing you can do yourself if you're patient, careful & good with your hands, but Dan is right about finishes.
Stocks can be bought from Boyds in the USA for good prices, under US$100 in many cases, so long as you like their designs, and there may be local stock makers who will do a semi-finished walnut stock in you choice of design for a little more money.
A guy here in Australia does that very thing.
I'm hopefully going to start a 7x57 project myself this year using a '09 Argentine action and it was through friends and "mate's rates"(as we Aussies term it ) that I've been able to afford it.
But, yeah, there are costs that are impossible to avoid like the chambering and rebarreling itself.
A gunsmith here charges $295 for threading, chambering, rebarreling, blasting & bluing.....plus the cost of the barrel.
However, I look on such things as a journey.
It doesn't have to happen all at once and there's no reason you can't use it between the different stages of construction, within reason of course.
If you do them right you'll have a rifle for life that looks and handles EXACTLY the way you want.
Now I've banged on long enough about this!

 

[Boer seun]

Hey Kombi
thanks for taking the time, with you reply.
Well I am in no real hurry to have the rifle done but have a verry specific Idea of what I want the end product to be.
I am a Springbok of origin sooo picture the old Obendorf sporters that still circle around South West Africa (Namibia) I think I will stay with the 8mm and leave that god-ugly barrel on for a while but will get a tupperware stock (can be had for about $120 cad) just till I can afford a would stock and ####'it, save up go for gold and get a really nice looking one (wood) later on. Only then will I get a new barrel and all the trimmings after that.
This rifle I am willing to spend up to $2000 on over the next 5years (unless I win the lottery) that is only $400 a year and I spend more on ammo a year than that, so just go to the range less.
I dont think I will ever want to sell it after it is done, this rifle's only purpose would be to make me happy.

BTW your rifle looks purty good, Did you do the stock work yourself?
The Tasco's arn't that bad hell I have some cheap ass Jap scope on mine right now think it's called a safari or some such

 

[kombi1976]

Hey Kombi
thanks for taking the time, with you reply.

No sweat!

Well I am in no real hurry to have the rifle done but have a verry specific Idea of what I want the end product to be.

Good, that way you can map out your course.
Your mind will probably change about the peripherals but the fixed idea helps.
It also will help you spot what you need at gun shows and other places you can pick up what you need to complete your masterpiece.

I am a Springbok of origin sooo picture the old Obendorf sporters that still circle around South West Africa (Namibia) I think I will stay with the 8mm and leave that god-ugly barrel on for a while but will get a tupperware stock (can be had for about $120 cad) just till I can afford a would stock and f**k'it, save up go for gold and get a really nice looking one (wood) later on. Only then will I get a new barrel and all the trimmings after that.

We'll forgive you for being a Springbok.
They still haven't forgiven me from being an Aussie though.
As far as the present barrel and stock go, if they work fine don't curse 'em.
You can get some bad synthetic stocks that will never bed properly and for half the price and a little care you can bed that military job and have it shoot just as well.
My stock, which is vaguely attractive after a few beers and not so pretty in the cold light of day, is simply a cut-down military job that someone whacked some estapol on and with a bit of....GASP!! ...auto putty filler we bedded & floated it and it shoots fine.
I'm not endorsing this as a bedding compound but it works suitably for the moment.
But go the 8mm.
When I eventually rebarrel, and that should be a long while, it'll will STAY 8mm Mauser.

This rifle I am willing to spend up to $2000 on over the next 5years (unless I win the lottery) that is only $400 a year and I spend more on ammo a year than that, so just go to the range less.
I dont think I will ever want to sell it after it is done, this rifle's only purpose would be to make me happy.

That's all it should be.
I look at these sort of rifles in the same light people look at project cars.
What do you get back if you sell it? Not a great deal.
What do you get along the way? Anticipation, making decisions about the minute details of the rifle, not just the model, finish and calibre.
What do you get at the end? Something that reflects your needs, tastes and preferences and will NEVER be the same as any other rifle made.
As far as the lottery goes, you're better saving your money each week!

The Tasco's arn't that bad hell I have some cheap ass Jap scope on mine right now think it's called a safari or some such

Mine's not even a Japanese Tasco but it does o.k..
The hunk of sandstone I blew apart a few weeks back didn't know the difference.
Anyone who says a 8x57 can't better a .308 hasn't had their medication!
Sorry, Dosing!

 

[Boer seun]

I look at these sort of rifles in the same light people look at project cars.
What do you get back if you sell it? Not a great deal.
What do you get along the way? Anticipation, making decisions about the minute details of the rifle, not just the model, finish and calibre.
What do you get at the end? Something that reflects your needs, tastes and preferences and will NEVER be the same as any other rifle made.

Could not agree more on that! Somethings Canadians don't seem to get!

We'll forgive you for being a Springbok.
They still haven't forgiven me from being an Aussie though.

Rivals to the end mate!
Mind you your Wallaby team is gonna get a whupping this season!
Let me know how your project go

 

[Boer seun]

You can get some bad synthetic stocks that will never bed properly and for half the price and a little care you can bed that military job and have it shoot just as well.

How is butler creek?

 

[machinistbutler]

You also might be able to get the barrel turned to what contour is to your liking rather than a new barrel.I think boyds can deliver laminates to your door for under a hundred bucks too.

 

[Gibbs505]

Well I intend to get a P14 rebarreled to 300 Win Mag. The barrel is shot so my conscence is clear!!

 

[Boer seun]

you ley me know how that went the P14 barrel I meant
Kind regards Johannes Jacobus Malan

 

[kombi1976]

How is butler creek?

To be honest I'm unsure.
All I know is that bedding synthetics can be very difficult because the compound often doesn't hold onto the stock and I've heard a number of stories about them cracking or breaking when drilled for sling swivels.
In reality a decent synthetic costs the same as a decent wooden stock.
As I said before, you'd be better sticking with the military stock although machinistbutler's suggestion of a Boyds stock is a good temporary solution if you hate the mil stock as much as you say.
Do you think you could post a pic of it as it is at the moment?

 

[Boer seun]

Soory mate I'm not allowed to post pic's I'll see if I can pm it to you