thinking on a mauser project....

Big JD-From the hills

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So just rolling around an idea in my head for a short handy utility rifle, that would use stripper clips. What I have is a fairly heavy large ring mauser bbl threaded and short chambered in .30-06 1-12 twist. Now in my mind what I would like to do is have it cut to 18.5" threaded for 5/8 - 24, a front sight installed. Along with an adjustable peep sight on the rear bridge. Also would like a short section of pic rail either on the bbl or on the receiver ring just over the chamber, not obstructing the action, the idea would be to mount a quality rds on this rail. So similar to the ruger gunsite scout, but with a fixed flush mag and the ability to top load and use stripper clips.

Does this sound like a worthwhile project? Anyone recommend a gunsmith that's good with mausers, or any smiths on here interested in such an undertaking?

Maybe I should just have an existing barreled action shortened? I wouldn't mind the extra weight/heat resistance of the thicker bbl I have laying around though, and would like .30-06 for brass/ bullet/ ammo availability.
 
It's a 1:12 twist. I wouldn't put much expense into it unless a faster twist barrel was part of the plan.
 
Sounds like my bear gun. :redface: LE No. 4, barrel shortened to minimum legal with a front ramp sight fitted. Cheap and efficient. Legal with 10 rds. as well

Grizz
 
You will be fine with 1-12" twist unless you intend to shoot 230gr Bergers and such.
Settle for min 20" long barrel for longer sight radius (read better accuracy), less ear ringing and no extra expense for hearing amplifiers at the older age.
My advice is....forget about recoil brake for mentioned reasons and beside 30-06 doesn't kick much.
GR8's 2c worth....
 
If you can't do the work yourself, it will become a sinkhole for money.

If you're just looking for a cheap way to get into a personal version of a "scout" rifle, the Brazilians beat you to it. They turned some of their Itajuba made 98 actions into nice little carbines chambered in 7.62x51.

They used their own barrels which were originally chambered in 30-06 and cut off the thread tenon, then rechambered to 7.62x51. The barrels were cut back to 20 inches and a muzzle brake and highly visible front sight was installed. They also installed a H&K drum type rear sight. Very handy little rifles.

They were in the midst of issuing H&K G3 type rifles which they were building in their own facilities under contract. The little Mausers were intended to get their troops familiar with the sights and the new cartridge until they had enough G3 type rifles available. Then many of them ended up in Police Stations. They did thousands of them. Many came to North America.

If you can locate one of these, all of your needs would be covered other than you would have to add the picatinny rail. The stocks on these rifles are modified k98 types with a substantial rubber butt pad.

One thing the Brazilians did, was to make sure they retained as much original weight as possible so that the rifles would be similar in weight to the G3.

They are handy to carry but I must disagree with gunrunner8 that there isn't much recoil. Even with the brake, these rifles kick like mules. IMHO they hurt to shoot.

For what this build will cost you, there are rifles already put together, with appropriate length barrels and magazines for very similar prices. A Savage bolt action with a short barrel/magazine would likely be a better choice and no special gunsmithing is required.
 
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