7 mm mauser vs 6.5 swede

[SimplyChad]

While making my rounds of the lgs and pawns i came across 2 deals. A k98 in 7x57 and another mauser carbine in 6.5 swede. Both marked for 90 bucks. (pawn shop is closing) i managed a few pics of the 6.5 but not the 7mm. I put them both on lay away. ( i only had like 80 bucks on me) Now the wife says i can get one and only one. Im thinking this is gonna end up being my medium rifle. I already have a 06 and a 22. Which should i get and why?



Also with the local ammo supplies both are plentiful and decently priced.

 

[SimplyChad]

last photo

 

[GCBurner]

I've got one of each, myself, but if I could just pick one, I'd go for the Swede. Great quality steel and metalwork, and probably a slight edge in inherent accuracy over the 7mm Mauser. Their value seems to be climbing, too, since not as many were made.
The pictures you've got there, with the 5 centavo coin in the stock, are actually the 98 Mauser, I'd guess one that was sold to Mexico, or some other Central or South American country. It's been kind of bubbad-up in an attempt to sporterize it, so collector value isn't much. If it's got a good bore, I'd say $90 is a good price for a shooter.

 

[Jeff F]

I've always been partial to the 7x57 myself, its just such a sweet shooting round. Its a tough choice, I'd try and figure a way to get both. What the wife does not know can't hurt you.

 

[SimplyChad]

until she finds out. Ive given up hiding things from her. Shes the one that balances the books. This is why im selling other guns.

 

[Jeff F]

You just need to sweet talk her..

 

[SimplyChad]

Mods could you please move to rifle country.

 

[Owen Sparks]

My 6.5 Sweedish Mauser was made in 1907 and will hit a dime at 100 yards. It has absolutly no modifications except for the addition of a 3X9 Leopold scope. It will handle bullets up to 160 grains and will reliably take any game in the lower 48 states.

 

[Shadow 7D]

BOTH
the swede (6.5) will most likely the one worth more...
BUT
for that price you CAN'T go wrong.

 

[viking499]

BOTH
the swede (6.5) will most likely the one worth more...
BUT
for that price you CAN'T go wrong.

True...........but if only one, I would go with the 6.5. I have 3 in that caliber, but they are all modern rifles.

 

[Vaarok]

The 6.5 is the better deal. 7mm Mauser M1916 carbines and cut-down 1893 rifles are very common and not worth much, 6.5mm Swedish Mausers are worth more and more consistently in better shape.

However, if the 7mm Mauser is a '98 action, is not drilled and tapped, and has an elaborate crest stamped on the receiver ring, it is the better rifle in terms of collectability, rarity, and resale value.

 

[SeekHer]

Regardless of the possible value of the two guns--which won't be much to begin with--think what is available locally for ammo.

Forget Internet deals--you want to shoot today but you're (nearly) out so you go to the store...The chances of 6.5x55 Swede are a lot better then 7x57mm Mauser (.275 Rigby) to be on the shelves of nearby gun stores.

The Swede is a fantastic cartridge--used for moose hunting in the Scandinavian countries, very hard hitting, excellent BC, lower recoil and more accurate then the 7mm Mauser--Norway SWAT and military use 6.5mm for their sniper rifles.

I have both--I like the 7mm better only because I can get heavier bullets for it but here we have lots of metric calibres available on the shelves, not like in the USA.

 

[35 Whelen]

Divorce your wife and get BOTH. That's a steal for those rifles.
35W

 

[SimplyChad]

Anyone know if they make a k98 in 6.5? I'm told that's a k98 in the pics but it seemed to short and was marked 6.5. I have the sn if that could help.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The chances of 6.5x55 Swede are a lot better then 7x57mm Mauser (.275 Rigby) to be on the shelves of nearby gun stores.

Must be regional. In my area the 7x57 ammo is much more prevalent than 6.5 Swede ammo.

 

[GCBurner]

Here are some pics comparing a Swedish Model 96 and a German made Model 98 side by side for comparison. The M96 is on the left.


Closeup of the receiver markings:

 

[oneounceload]

Do you reload? The Swede - ( I sold my 1907 carbine a little bit ago) has crap for factory ammo for the most part in deference to older guns, but it can be handloaded to spectacular performance

Ballistics - coin toss For $90, each, I'd be scrounging scrap metal to get both, find the one that works best for you and sell the other one for more than $90. I paid $55 for mine at a gun show - 30 years ago..................

In good shape, I am seeing them going for 250

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'd be scrounging scrap metal to get both,

Me too! That is a give-away price on both!

 

[SimplyChad]

Well it's looking now that they are both 98s just one that has been altered. Has anyone seen a 98 or 98 clone in 6.5

 

[sixgunner455]

Divorce your wife and get BOTH. That's a steal for those rifles.
35W

Over a $90 rifle?

*scratches head*

Buy one. Keep the other on layaway and pay it off with your lunch money.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Has anyone seen a 98 or 98 clone in 6.5

Yes,I've seen one 98 large ring in 6.5x55. Actually it is quite easy to build one. Brownell's offers a short chambered barrel in 6.5x55 for the large ring. An M93 or M95 Swede barrel will fit the Turk,K.Kale large ring 98 action with small shank.

 

[SimplyChad]

Thats the plan gunner. I'm glad I did this tho. This will be my first Foreign milsurp now it's just which one first. I'm such a noob at this.

 

[GCBurner]

I haven't ever seen a military export version of the K98 in 6.5x55, though Schultz & Larsen of Demnark rebuilt a bunch of them in 6.5mm as target rifles after WWII. That doesn't look like what you've got in the picture, though.
Looking at the Mexican coin inlet into the stock, I was guessing it was the 7x57mm Mexican M1902 variant of the K98. Since it's coming from a pawn shop, if all you've got to go by is a paper tag, with no calibre marking stamped on the barrel, I'd double check the bore and chamber to verify what it shoots before buying any ammo. Pawn shops are usually not gun experts, and Model 98 Mausers have been barreled and re-barreled into just about every rifle calibre in the world.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

For that price; buy both. Shoot them and choose one. Sell the other at a gun show for $180. Ought to be able to sell the Wife on that plan, right?

 

[SimplyChad]

Yall really need to meet my wife. She doesnt understand having more then like 3. I think its good tho (Roses and a foot rub). Anyway what are the practical range and knock down differences of the rounds?