- Location
- Chilliwack
Is it posable to barrel a small ring Mauser (6.5X55) to a 280 Remington.
small ring Mauser
- Thread starter bearhunter338-06
- Start date
Anything is possible. May not be wise, however. Which small ring Mauser are you refering too, 95, 96,or 98? I would do it on a 98 (if in good condition), I wouldn't bother on a 96 (not really worth the money to do it, and some will argue it isn't safe), and I wouldn't period on a 95 or earlier action. FWIW - dan
Small ring Mausers
As DAN BELISLE stated, it is possible, and he has given you some good advice on which models.
I would tend to disagree about the m/96 Swedish Mauser, though. Many of these have been made in 30-06, 9.3x62, and 8x57 JS. These calibres are in the same pressure class as the .280 Remington.
I would also be a bit wary of the original WWI German Karbine 98 small ring models that were made during the later years of the War. The better option is use the standard 98 Mauser large ring actions. The weight difference is only about 4 or 5 ounces, and many aftermarket options such as stocks, triggers, etc., are available.
Trade-ex has lots of listings of the 96 Mausers in the Calibres I mentioned above (except the .280,) and they have the Husqvarna 1600 series rifles available in the $400-$500 price range. The 1600 series IS a small ring Mauser, with the third locking lug, with a sporting stock, trigger system, safety, and are usually drilled and tapped for scope mountings.
Since you are saying you have a 6.5x55 rifle now, can we assume you already have a m/96 Mauser, and it might not be so simple as just doing the barrel. The magazine might have to be lengthened and feed lips may also have to be modified. This is going to be an added expense, along with the cost of the barrel, fitting, chambering and other gunsmith work.
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As DAN BELISLE stated, it is possible, and he has given you some good advice on which models.
I would tend to disagree about the m/96 Swedish Mauser, though. Many of these have been made in 30-06, 9.3x62, and 8x57 JS. These calibres are in the same pressure class as the .280 Remington.
I would also be a bit wary of the original WWI German Karbine 98 small ring models that were made during the later years of the War. The better option is use the standard 98 Mauser large ring actions. The weight difference is only about 4 or 5 ounces, and many aftermarket options such as stocks, triggers, etc., are available.
Trade-ex has lots of listings of the 96 Mausers in the Calibres I mentioned above (except the .280,) and they have the Husqvarna 1600 series rifles available in the $400-$500 price range. The 1600 series IS a small ring Mauser, with the third locking lug, with a sporting stock, trigger system, safety, and are usually drilled and tapped for scope mountings.
Since you are saying you have a 6.5x55 rifle now, can we assume you already have a m/96 Mauser, and it might not be so simple as just doing the barrel. The magazine might have to be lengthened and feed lips may also have to be modified. This is going to be an added expense, along with the cost of the barrel, fitting, chambering and other gunsmith work.
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nothing wrong with the 6.5x55 swede anyway-and as for an efficient killing machine-has one of the highest SD's available....all this with low recoil and excellent accuracy.When a cartridge has been around for over 100 years-its GOT to be doing something right,and you'll have to spend several times the money to get better workmanship and nice walnut stocks than the Tradexx sporters...put a couple of hours into restoring the ''handling marks'' on the stocks and you have as good a hunting rifle as you will find anywhere
"I would tend to disagree about the m/96 Swedish Mauser, though. Many of these have been made in 30-06, 9.3x62, and 8x57 JS. These calibres are in the same pressure class as the .280 Remington."
I only mentioned the safety aspect as I know folks will chime in with it and I wanted to present the most balanced info I could. I've built up to 6.5-06 on a 96 Mauser, they are made from very strong steel and will certainly stand up to any standard cartridge, in my opinion. From a resale standpoint, sadly, they aren't worth it. Just my opinion though, and if you want to go ahead, by all means do so. - dan
I only mentioned the safety aspect as I know folks will chime in with it and I wanted to present the most balanced info I could. I've built up to 6.5-06 on a 96 Mauser, they are made from very strong steel and will certainly stand up to any standard cartridge, in my opinion. From a resale standpoint, sadly, they aren't worth it. Just my opinion though, and if you want to go ahead, by all means do so. - dan
Dan,
This is how the pre-98 (this one's a M/38) handles escaping gases from case head failure. The pre-98 really lacks the front ring gas ports and rear shroud deflecting capabilities beyond others.
This rifle was in perfect working order. I have also seen a lot of the rechambered pre-98 with lug set-back. NONE of the pre-1898 Mauser actions were designed to fire ammunition with pressures above 50 000 PSI. I don't say it won't stand it, I say it's really NOT THE BEST CHOICE. Don't get me wrong, I use the M/94 variants in different calibers (I have all of the HVA factory chamberings for civilian M/94 and M/38) but for a rechambering, i'd go with another type of action. There are much better choices than that, especially for "high performance cartridges".
If you have the Norma No. 1 reloading book, you'll see the exact same type of failure on page 141.
This is how the pre-98 (this one's a M/38) handles escaping gases from case head failure. The pre-98 really lacks the front ring gas ports and rear shroud deflecting capabilities beyond others.
This rifle was in perfect working order. I have also seen a lot of the rechambered pre-98 with lug set-back. NONE of the pre-1898 Mauser actions were designed to fire ammunition with pressures above 50 000 PSI. I don't say it won't stand it, I say it's really NOT THE BEST CHOICE. Don't get me wrong, I use the M/94 variants in different calibers (I have all of the HVA factory chamberings for civilian M/94 and M/38) but for a rechambering, i'd go with another type of action. There are much better choices than that, especially for "high performance cartridges".
If you have the Norma No. 1 reloading book, you'll see the exact same type of failure on page 141.
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lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
Ok then, so with the 1916 Spanish Mauser 7.62 NATO gas port mod done which is also a pre98 action is it now better able to handle case rupture?
I'm also not saying the pre 98's are the best choices to conversion when there are so many other modern actions to work with. The cost to convert and time spent modifying really isn't practical today.
I'm also not saying the pre 98's are the best choices to conversion when there are so many other modern actions to work with. The cost to convert and time spent modifying really isn't practical today.
Yes, it will handle it in a much better way (and see how big the escape ports are.... compared to those on the M/98).
But my suggestion is to check headspace once in a while, they are (re)known for creating lug set-back. And this usually can't be seen just by looking at the bolt.
But my suggestion is to check headspace once in a while, they are (re)known for creating lug set-back. And this usually can't be seen just by looking at the bolt.
Interesting pics Baribel, thanks. - dan
