Target Rifle Help: Mauser actions?

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Birdmang

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I wanted to build up a really nice target rifle for shooting around 100 yards. I was thinking of buying one but I own 2 already that I may be able to use. I have a 7mm small ring Mauser, and an 8mm large ring Mauser. Both are in impeccable condition, but I haven't shot either one.

Which caliber would be better for target shooting at +100 yds?

Are there stocks readily available, like thumbhole with easy scope mounts?

I wanted to have one for deer hunting and one for target shooting. I don't really know enough about the actions and the calibers to make a good decision. I figured this was a good place to ask.

Thanks in advance!
 
If they are in original military condition I wouldn't change either one.

Considering that you can get a new bolt action for around $300 (Marlin xl7, Stevens 200), trying to make a target rifle out of an old Mauser is not going to be cost effective.
 
If you have two all original military rifles, leave them alone.

You can go to gunstores and see all sorts of 50's/60's military conversions. Often they are worth less than a third of an unaltered military rifle.

Incidentally, converting any rifle to a true target configuration is expensive. You will need a new barrel, ($400-$500), a target stock ($300.00), drill and tapping for mounts or bases ($40-80), bedding the action ($200.00), truing the receiver face and maybe lugs ($100.00), new trigger ($200.00).

When you add it up, you will have put a lot of money into something that is worth far less than the money you spent.

And it won't be as good a target rifle as a modern rifle.

Go buy a Savage M110. People who own that rifle are reporting outstanding accuracy. And it has a good trigger.
 
Either of those rifles will do both of the tasks you've outlined without any modifications.

For my money I'd probably use the 7mm for both tasks as it'll easily handle deer and target shooting around 100 yards. I'd look for a no-gunsmithing mount from B-Square for it to see if you can get away without having to modify the gun. You can replace the stock w/o damaging the value if you're careful about and keep all the pieces in good shape so you can replace them. The biggest loss of value is when some yahoo chops the barrel and drills/taps the receiver.

Just my .02

Probably your best approach is to get some good QUALITY 8mm and 7mm ammo (Federal Gold Medal Match if they make it) and see what they'll do. I suspect both of them are adequate for deer w/o a scope and in terms of "target shooting" that will come down to what you want. For some people they have to shoot into .5 and inch or less to be happy and for some people they're very happy if they can hold the black on the NRA 100 yard targets.

Good Luck,
Dave
 
I've got a lot of experience converting the Mauser action into a more modern gun. What variety are the two Mausers that you have? If they're both in really good condition, I wouldn't recommend tearing them all apart. If you want to build a custom rifle off of a Mauser action, it's best to find a Mauser that's been junked. One that the stock is horrible condition and has a corroded barrel. Because all you are going to be using is the action, the condition of the other parts is not a concern.

As for shooting out to 100 yards, that's not considered that long of a distance, so any high velocity modern caliber that you decide to rechamber for will work just fine. Since you're not talking about taking 500 yard shots, you have a lot of options for calibers.

With the stock, there are several companies that will make them to fit a Mauser action. Boyd's and Richards Microfit are two companies I can think of off the top of my head that both offer a thumbhole version. And you mentioned something about easy scope mounts. The stock that you decided on will have nothing to do with scope mounts. You'll have to drill and tap the receiver to allow for scope mounts. The stock will not have any effect on what kind of scope mounts you can use.

The 7mm ring Mauser that you have will be limited to the 6mm family of cartridges. The 8mm ring Mauser that you have, assuming it's not an intermediate, will be able to shoot anything up to the .30-06 family. If you're wanting popular calibers, you can go with .25-06, .257, 6.5 Swede, .308, .260, .270, .30-06, etc.
 
Sorry I didn't clarify but both rifles have had some sporterization done to them already, but the components are in perfect condition, just changed a little bit.

7mm:

DSCF0472.gif

8mm

DSCF0477.gif
 
Well since you clarified that they've already been sporterized, any further customization will not affect them any more than they already have been. I would say that those will be suitable candidates for further work.

Are you wanting to keep the original barrels or put aftermarket barrels on them?
 
Both barrels have perfect riflings and no pitting, so I am just stuck on what caliber would be more useful for target shooting and which gun would be easier to do.

The 7mm is closer to being finished I believe.
 
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