Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing European style rilfe

Having recently acquired a 6.5x68 and 8x68 Hetzenaur reamers, I am in the parts gathering phase for 2 "European" style builds on 98 Mauser actions.

What style of stock should I use: Classic, roll over, ...?
I'm going to pass on the white line spacers, but should I go with ebony tip, rosewood, no tip...? Do euro rifles have a contrasting grip cap? I want to avoid the metal grip caps and butt plates. I am not going with a Mannlicher stock! Just saying man licker sounds gay to me

Bart, "in the 10 ring" has a European style stock on Mauser Central at a very fair price. I would buy it, finish it and add a leather covered butt pad to it for correct LOP. powdr

To my mind a classic Euro-style stock means a schnabel fore end and a kidney-shaped cheek piece, with all the wood whittled down to a slender profile. Horn butt plate and grip cap for the finishing touches.

I've talked to Dave about that stock. As soon as I get some change I'll get it from him.
I like the horn tip/cap idea. IMO the "penis head" (schnabel forend) belongs on a Savage 99 and maybe a Ruger #1. Kidny cheek piece I can live with.

American schnabels were usually wretchedly designed. As much as I like early Savage lever guns, their schnabels were pretty crude. The Winchester 54 schnabel was better, but still pretty crude. Probably the best American schnabel is seen on the Winchester M70 FWT. Look at a bunch of German/Austrian rifles to get a sense of the subtle design of a schnabel properly executed and then make fun of it!

When did Ruger use a schnabel on a #1? Are you referring to the Alex Henry fore end?

Maybe it wasn't a #1, could have been a #3 or the single shot Dakota that I saw.
A properly executed schnabel would keep me from the expense of a horn or other tip.
I'll try to look and find one.

The horn or other tip could have a properly executed schnabel.

Here's an example of a 6.5x68 Mauser made by Christoph Funk, Suhl showing some extras you could add to the rifle. This one does not have a schnabel.

Nice! I think the bottom metal and trigger alone would push that build out of my budget. I do like the bolt handle too.

Very nice elegant rifle, right back to (but not including) the recoil pad! I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers though!

I have owned a few with that flat bolt handle. Still have one, but am also still conflicted as to whether I like it or not. I definitely like the Greener-style safety.