Had an interesting rifle follow me home from the pawn shop today. It's a 1909 Argentina military mauser in 30-06. It has the original stepped military barrel and a mil grade stock although it's been sporterized. It also had a scope mounted to the receiver and a sling. No pitting anywhere and the rifling in the barrel looks brand new. As a mil surplus rifle I realize this probably doesn't have much collector value since it's been tinkered with and sporterized. I bought it mainly for deer hunting and target shooting. I only paid $365.00 for it. Did I make good choice?
Anyone know much about this particular military mauser?
- Thread starter Capstick1
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Steel Horse Rider
Member
If the chamber has been reamed to accept 30-06 cartridges I wouldn't worry about collector value but I would be concerned that if it is the original barrel that used .311 or .312 bullets that a .308 bullet for the 30-06 is not going to be too accurate.
troy fairweather
Member
The 09s make for one of the best custom actions. Does the barrel any markings, could have a A&B barrel out on.
mokin
Member
Sounds ok to me but I'm no expert. You gotta put some pics up Capstick.
Nice rifle Mr. Fairweather.
Nice rifle Mr. Fairweather.
Steel Horse, I thought 30-06 was the original chambering for the argentine 1909 mauser. Are you sure these 1909 mauser mil spec 30 cal barrels had .311-.312 bores on them? I do know that the Russian Mosin nagant 7.62x54 rifles came with .311-312 cal barrels.
Steel Horse, I thought 30-06 was the original chambering for the argentine 1909 mauser. Are you sure these 1909 mauser mil spec 30 cal barrels had .311-.312 bores on them? I do know that the Russian Mosin nagant 7.62x54 rifles came with .311-312 cal barrels.
mustanger98
Member
If I'm remembering right, the 1909 Argentine was chambered 7.35x50-something. So, if it's the original barrel, it was chamber-reamed to .30-06 length, but as was mentioned, the bore is to big to be accurate with the .308 diameter bullets. That said, you are looking at plenty of options.
troy fairweather
Member
It was a 7.65x53 sometimes also called thex54.
troy fairweather
Member
I have shot a lot of 308s from the argentines both 1891s and 09s they can shoot pretty well. A flat base bullet seams to be best. Mine pictured above is now a 7x57Ackley improved. Build by John van Patten he was the shop Forman for Ackley for some years. This is the last rifle before he died, so it's special to me.
troy fairweather
Member
It won't the bore is about .300
DocRock
member
The 1909 pattern Argentine Mauser was chambered in 7.65x53 with a bullet diameter of .313”. So, if the original barrel, .308 bullets will not be a good fit. Also, the CIP max pressure is 56,500 psi, so lower than 30-06, but the loose bore will alleviate pressure in any event. Slug the barrel.
I wish I had known this information about the possible .311 bore size variation before I had bought this rifle. I'm going to take it to a gunsmith and have the bore size checked. If it turns out to be a mismatched barrel I guess I'll get a new barrel blank and have it rebarrelled to the 35 whelen. I am hoping it's going to have the proper .308 cal barrel for 30-06 though.
Even if it is the larger bore size it is not the end of the world. Bullets are available that will fit. A different expander may be needed ,but , then again maybe not. The big thing will be if the chamber is correct for using 30/06 dies and or factory ammo. You won't know for sure without a chamber cast.
eastbank
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I shot a 1909 rechambered to 3006-.308 and it was a decent deer rifle with the .312-.313 original barrel, but with the correct diameter bullets it shot much better. TROY, I have a rifle built by john van patten on a steyr 98 mauser action in 35 whelen, a nice rifle indeed.
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redneck2
Member
I saw an Interarms Mark X marked 30-06 at the LGS. Had a stepped barrel, I assume original Really nice wood
I have zero idea the origin of the action, other than it appears to be Mauser. Would it be .311 or were there actual 30-06’s?
I have a 7 mag so I have zero use for it, just wondering
I have zero idea the origin of the action, other than it appears to be Mauser. Would it be .311 or were there actual 30-06’s?
I have a 7 mag so I have zero use for it, just wondering
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Does it look like the original barrel or a replacement. Replacements don't look too much like a military barrel.
morcey2
Member
I have pretty much the same rifle that you describe. It's a 1909 originally chambered in 7.65x53 that had the chamber reamed out with a 30-06 reamer. There are tons of them out in the wild. The bore on mine slugs at 0.312" and doesn't shoot most 30-06 very well but I did find a box of 180 grain round-nose rounds that actually shoot decently in it. I got about 3" groups at 100 yards with those while the standard 150 gr SP were in the 8"-group range. Mine is destined to become a 6mm Remington, hopefully sometime next year. It's far and away the smoothest Mauser action that I've every handled.
Matt
Matt
troy fairweather
Member
There not very common how did your find yours.
illinoisburt
Member
From a reloading standpoint, totally not an issue. There are plenty of component bullets available (usually listed as 303, 7.7 jap, or 7.62 russian) for basically same cost as the standard .308 bullets. You won't need anything different than a regular 30-06 die set if the bullet has just the slightest heel taper. Negligible if any changes to load data.
troy fairweather
Member
The barrel has the same markings as mine so it's a late gun. His early stuff just had VP on the barrel. How's it shoot.
illinoisburt
Member
Apparently a known and common issue for the 1909. Check out the reviews for the 303 hornady interlocks here: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010592690?pid=222507
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