What to do with a Turk

[sumpnz]

I bought the 8x57 headspace gauges ocabj had for sale a little while ago, and I tried out the No-go gauge on my Turk Mauser. The bolt closed just as easily as if there were nothing in there.

So, what should I do now. I've shot it a lot without anything going wrong, so should I get a field length gauge first to see if it closes on that? Or should I make it into a project gun/wall hanger? If it matter, the gun has all matching numbers.

If I go the project route, what would y'all suggest. Ream to 8mm-06? Have a thread or two cut off and have it reamed back to proper 8x57 dimensions? Rebarrell it to whatever long-action cartridge I want?

 

[TimRB]

I would definitely see what a field gauge had to say about the matter. If it swallows that, then you have a dilemma, since it probably would cost as much as the rifle is worth to have a gunsmith make it right. On the other hand, if you did that then you'd still have your nice matching Turk, and you'd know it was safe.

Tim

 

[jefnvk]

Try a field gauge.

If not, it becomes a wall hanger.

That is my opinion anyway.

 

[Houndawg]

I agree with the above advice. Try a Field gauge. The No-Go is pretty much used to tell if a new chamber is within specs. While a used barrel may pass a No-Go, it's likely that one as old as a Turk Mauser won't. When checking headspace on a milsurp, the Field gauge is the most important one to have. If it passes the field, have fun shooting it. If it closes on the Field, hang it up or have it re-chambered. I don't even own a No-Go gauge.