I am interested in a Husky but was wondering about action lengths.

Did husky make an intermediate length?

What length did they build a 270 on?

Would a husky 270 be a good platform for a 7x57 custom?

What are the advantages (if any) over a fn action?

Thanks as always

They built on the 96 type action, 98 mauser (06 will fit) and their own commercial small ring mauser action.

4th rifle from left started life as a Husqvarna 30/06 (1640, their small ring commercial action) but is a 7x57 in the picture. Works just fine.

Beautiful guns!!

Their 1640 was a small ring standard action?

How can you tell if a rifle is a 1640 action?

I saw one at a husky gun shop with a lighter stock in a 270?

Thanks

Commercial action won't have the thumb cut on the left side, sliding safety on the right side and a small little spring steel bolt release on the left. I ain't a Husky expert, just have a few.

Not up on the later versions.

Sorry to threadjack, but this info may be valuable to the OP as well....
I've got a model H-5000 made in 1965. It says HVA action on the side of the receiver, has the little steel button bolt release, sliding safety on the right hand side. I've been told it's Husky's small-ring mauser action, but I've also been told it's a modified Mauser 98 action (large ring AFAIK). So which is it?
Thanks.

The commercial Husky HVA action was a slightly updated version of the small ring M-96. They are built of great steel and make a nice, lightweight CRF sporters. I've had them in 270, 30-06 and 7mm Rem mags and still have a custom 30-06 built on one.
Their primary drawback is that one of their "improvements" was a flimsier bolt stop and ejector. it works just fine but if I were wanting something like a dangerous game rifle I would much prefer a M-98 style. I have owned a number of Husky large ring M-98 actions and all of them had FN proof marks somewhere on the action.

This gun was marked Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB in a 270. If I remember right, it didn't have a thumb groove. It had a swing type saftey on the bolt shroud.

Just seeing if it is worth $350?

Thanks

It did have a mauser type bolt release.

Thank you very much, sir!

It would be worth $350 to many folks for the action alone.

Dennis

Here are a couple of pics of said gun...

So this is the HVA commercial modified M-96 small ring action?

How does the model 1940 differ?

What about the M-98 is different?

Thanks for the help!

That is like the rifle pictured above (my 7x57).

Earlier versions had steel floorplates, later pot metal. My full stocked Husky is pot metal, the 7x57 is steel.

Weaver bases on it are 55 & 46?

.

those husky mausers are some of the nicest ever made, If I wanted a classic hunting rifle, they would be near the top, the once I have seen except for the early ones that are 9.3x57's etc are 98's

.

The rifle I was looking at had a mauser bolt release and a saftey on the bolt shroud.

Does anyone have any idea of what type of rifle this is?

Would this be a small ring?

Thanks

http://www.skydevaaben.com/allhvamodels/info.xml

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=151472fadec6f7c5eaf545d4a6bf1fc8&f=50

May be a good read.

g

.

Thanks GeoW

I think it is a 1640 action. It must have a checked beechwood stock.

Could I use this to build a 7x57 or would I spend to much to change the saftey and such?

Would it be better to look for a mexican mauser?

Thanks

I don't, would you mind explaining that please?
Thank you!
Jordan

I have had those and still have two M98 based Husky's built on the commercial FN, a 9.3x62 beechwood beauty and an '06 of the same ilk. Both are fine shooters as was my 1640 308 similar to yours. All good guns and generally sold for less than they are really "worth" IMO.

Jordan, the best way to explain is to use a picture. A bolt action has 2 sections called rings. These are located in front of and behind the loading port. On the Mauser rifle known as a large ring M98 the front ring is larger than the back ring section of the action, hence the name large ring mauser. This was added to the 1898 model Mauser as an extra safety measure along with a third locking lug on the bolt and a flanged safety.

Below is a picture of two BRNO Mausers side by side. The one on the left is a large ring. Notice how the front ring is larger than the rest of the action. The one one the right is a small ring. Notice how the ring is the same size as the rest of the action.



In this picture we have a view from the left side. The large ring mauser is the one in the rear.


Large ring


small ring


Hope this helps
Terry

Terry,

Can you help me find the two rings on either side of my loading port, ain't been able to find them yet?

Guess I should have said MOST bolt actions.

Terry

Nope, you should have guessed I would bust chops................grin

Nice looking Blamauser their looks like a small ring....

Thank you VERY MUCH!
That explains it perfectly!

Jordan

Does anyone have a picture of a 1640 action that I could see.

Thanks Alot

Daron

http://www.waldu.ee/pood/HVA1640A.jpg

The stock looks the same but it has a mauser bolt release and a swing saftey. It says husqvarna vapenfabriks on the action.

It is a small ring.

Any ideas.

Sorry, I just would like to know if this is a smart purchase.

If it's a Husky in good shape, it's high quality, and is definitely worth $350. The real question is: Do you want it?

If you're trying to talk yourself into buying it, or you're trying to get us to talk you into buying it -- then don't.

but if you like it and you want it...then by all means you should buy it, whether anyone else agrees or not .

Dennis

mule deer,

Great Advice! I WANT to but it if it is what I think nit is. The problem is that I don't know what kind of gun it is and neither does the dealer.

I have gotten some great info here that has helped, I'm just trying to know if I'm dealing with a husky or a 98 or what.

Before tonight I didn't know the difference between a small ring or large ring!

So thanks to all around the fire tonight.

Daron

The resident expert on Husqvarnas in SBHVA, but since he hasn't jumped in, I'll give it a shot.

Husqvarna has sold 270s built on 3 different actions; FN built 98s, then the HVA, then the non-Mauser style 8000/9000 series. IIRC, the pre-1950 commercial 1896 small-ring Mausers were only offered in 6.5x55, 8x57, and 9.3x57. The FN built 98 large-ring Mausers were chambered for a wide variety of American and European cartridges, including the 270. The HVA is a nice action, but nothing special. The 8000/9000 series actions are probably the smoothest production actions around, but they aren't too common and folks who have them usually try to hang onto them.

I personally would not build a 270 on a small-ring pre-1898 style Mauser action for a variety of reasons, but wouldn't think twice about buildinga 270 on any of the other 3 Husqvarna action styles. A down-side to the HVA and 8000/9000 series actions is that there are few after-market stocks and accessories available for them, so if you like to modify an existing rifle or action to any significant degree, it will likely be more costly.

If I was going to build a 7x57 today, I'd be awfully tempted to do a NULA/CLR hybrid for $1500+/-.

Jeff

After some research, it turns out that the pictures I posted are of the HVA 1640 action...

Thanks 260Remguy,

That helps. I'm still trying to find out what kind of gun this is. It may be more of a 98 than a 1640. It does look similar to a older FN action.

No finger groove
mauser bolt release

What is a NULA/CLR hybrid?

Thanks again

HVA was simply a name stamped on the side. There never was a HVA action. Most actions that have the HVA stamp are 1640's but not all 1640 action's bare the stamp.

You stated the bolt shroud had a swing safety so it's not a 1640 unless it's been modified. You said if had a mauser style bolt release so that also rules it out completely. You said it was a small ring which rules out it being a FN action.

They made an action that fits your desciption to the T. The rifle it was used on was called a Husqvarna model 648 which came after the 640 and before the model 1640. Some of these actually used commercial M96 actions with no thumb cut which is probably the one you are looking at. It's not collectable but they didn't make very many of them. Below is a link to one for sale at Simpson LTD
HUSKY 648
This model had both large and small ring actions as far as I can tell. The one you describe sounds very much like a commecial M96 though. By the time these were introduced the metal was plenty strong enough to handle cartridges like the .270WIN. The only draw back is you don't get the extra safety features you do with a M98 of 1640 action. This doesn't seem to bother most people.

Terry

Hi guys,

There is on alot like it on gun broker.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=101999154

Can anyone tell me what it is. Maybe I'll buy this one!

Thanks

That is a large ring FN. I thought you said it was a small ring you were looking at?

Terry

I guess I don't know the difference. It didn't look like the front ring was bigger than the back ring.

Sorry

See why Mausers are so much fun?

One thing is for sure; I'm learning alot!!

Is the Husky fn a good action?

Any FN action is a good action, if sound and in good condition. I buy my FN actions in the form of JC Higgins and Sears rifles.

I've been fooling around with Husqvarna's since the 1970's, and can see some mis-conceptions in various posts in this thread.

1) It was incorrectly posted that there's no such thing as a separate HVA action. The later HVA action was differentiated from the previous Husky action by a slight dovetail shape to the bolt lugs - it's main claim to fame.

2) The only 96 Mauser Husqvarnas are military models, which cock on closing, like all other 1893, 94, 95 & 96 Mausers - which is the opposite of the cock on opening feature that signifys a Model 98 Mauser.
Because this "cock-on-closing" action has a small front receiver ring, some assume it's the desireable Small Ring Mauser 98 or vice-versa.

3) The commercial Husqvarna bolt rifles were made on both large and small ring 98 Mauser actions.
It's easiest to differentiate between the two by observing the left front of the receiver wall where it abuts the front receiver ring.
A step up, there, to a larger receiver ring = Large Ring 98; No step = Small Ring 98.

The Husqvarna's were all made in Sweden by Husqvarna, but in some years variously branded as "Tradewinds", Smith & Wesson", & "HVA" - with each vendor asking/receiving/selling several different models, from Monte Carlo stocked one w/forend tips, etc, to lightweight, classic, Euro-styled models, with others in between.
Most can be instantly "picked out" by the pistol grip checkering that extended fully to the pistol grip cap w/o a border in between.

I haven't run across any issue varmint or bull barreled ones, though.

A .270 Husky would make an excellent 7x57, as the boltface is the same, and only the barrel would need either replacement or a rebore/setback/rechamber.

JMO, But if I had one in .270, I wouldn't convert it to something so close, performance-wise, as a 7x57 - although I do totally understand the allure of that metric.

.

The Husqvarna marketed M-98 FN actions are as nicely made as any commercial FN action and the finish is usually superb.
I have read that Husqvrna never made M-98 (which is why they imported FN's) and only made M-96's - but I can't verify that.

There has been some confusion about whether or not the small ring action is either a M-98 or a derivative M-96. The factory ads of the time claim it was an improvement of the Mauser and most folks assume that means the M-98. But if you examine the small ring Husqvarna along side a M-96 and M-98 it is obvious that Husqvarna used their M-96 design and the main "improvements" are the side safety and ejector/bolt stop.

The M-96's are not a strong as the M-98's but Husqvarna made superb actions with great steel and the fact that they chambered them in 7 mm Rem mags means they considered them strong enough for that round.

What would leed you to that conclusion other than the fact it is a small ring action?

Most all M98 parts fit this action plus it has the 3rd lug on the bolt which is a M98 design. The 1640/HVA action has much more in common with a M98 than a M96.

I know Chuck Hawks ain't the last word on the subject but here is a quote from his site.



Terry

Other than cocking on closing I don't know what. I have a number of Husqvarna sporters, both small ring and the larger FN actions and the bolts on all of my small rings are of M-96 design and certainly will not fit in a M-98 and M-98 bolts will not fit them. The bolt from my son's military Husqvarna M-96 however will fit in the small ring husqvarna sporter.

Check yours out. Husqvarna made a lot of rifles and it's possible we are talking about different rifles. Examine the bolt faces and lugs of your small ring and the M-98. they are completely different between the M-98 and M-96.

A M98 bolt will fit a 1640/HVA action. the front left lug is split on a M98 bolt which isn't necessary on the 1640/HVA action but they will fit. The 1640/HVA action cocks on opening just like the M98, has the 3rd safety lug which is a hallmark of the M98. The 1640/HVA action uses M98 not M96 aftermarket triggers and safeties and has the same hole spacing as a M98 if you're so inclined to use aftermarket bottom metal.

I just think the 1640/HVA is clearly more M98 than a derivative of the M96. That was the only point I was trying to make.

I think my writing style makes me seem more combative than I really am. Sorry if you took it that way.

Terry

Not exactly. The Model 46 Husqvarna sporting rifle uses a model 96 action, and cocks on closing. It was produced in the Husqvarna factory as a sporting rifle, not as a military rifle. Mine is a 9.3x57, but they also produced them in 8x57 and 6.5x55. I have seen it stated that they were produced in 9.3x62 as well, but all the original factory 9.3x62's I've seen positive ID on were produced on Model 98 actions.

Dennis

Agreed. I have a Husqvarna 648 in 8x57 that was built on a commercial small-ring pre-1898 style action, sn 868xx. This is the cock-on-closing style with the smaller gas shield on the bolt shroud that doesn't have a thumb-cut on the left side of the receiver.

Although it may not be proper, the 1640 series of actions are commonly referred to as "HVA" actions and are the successors to the 648 FN 1898 actions. They were, in turn, succeeded by the 8000/9000 series of non-Mauser actions with the dovetailed locking lugs. This is the action that Zoli has built rifles on since Husqvarna discontinued firearms production. The Husqvarna imported by Smith & Wesson were built on the 1640/HVA action for the 1st year or 2 and then on the 8000/9000 action through the end of production. I have S&W A, B, C, D, and E models with both action styles and identical markings.

When in doubt about a Husqvarna, the best thing to do is call upon SBHVA and get an answer from a true expert, not just a bunch of duffers.

Jeff

I will agree that Chuck Hawks isn't the final authority on Husqvarna's. He used a sample of one to write that definitive work...His rifle was custom made and in the process they removed the horrible little bolt release nob (you did that on your sweet little HVA right?). So he describes the process of removing the bolt only by sticking a finger into the action. He really has no idea what the original looks like.

Other references that support Mr. Shoemaker is the Frank DeHaas book on bolt actions...I don't have an opinion either way, other than I quite like them. I've had the straight military 96, the end of war 648 (94 with solid left wall, and modified striker thingy), Husky FN, HVA 1640, and HVA 9000/1900. All have been well made.

In all fairness to Chuck do you really know that to be a fact? I would bet he has seen more than one Husky 1640 action rifle.

I not only gave a reference but very clearly gave my own observations as to why I came to my conclusions. Would you mind doing the same?

Of coarse you could say that a M98 is just a derivative of a M96 and you would be very correct

Terry

Have had a 9000 6.5x55 for a long time and cast a vote for the design here, supersmooth action as dovetail cross section locking lugs slide in female matching grooves in receiver. Trigger adjustment a big trial though. If it is not right to begin with it is a PIA to fix. Otteson in "The Bolt Action" calls it the most advanced evolution of the 98. Pot metal magazine is not too bad, light in weight and functional. As Jeff says, very little in aftermarket stuff for it. I recall hard hunting until I found a scope mount base that was correct.

Terry, your kidding right? He stated it right in your quote, "...the lack of an external bolt release. (You remove the bolt by pressing down the receiver mounted pivoting ejector, which protrudes from the edge of the bolt face when the bolt is fully open.)"

I did give a reference to a source that backed up Mr. Shoemakers thoughts...we should be ready for publication in a peer-reviewed journal now.

In my quest for more information, I have read a couple articles that he mentions the Husqvarna...and it's always the same one with the "lack of external bolt release". Sorry, just assumed by the quote you gave it was pretty obvious he didn't know much about them. I wasn't giving you the gears at all...the only one that bugged me was Chuck Hawks.

This is a quote from his custom Husky 7x57 article:
"The procedure for removing the bolt from the Husqvarna action is a bit odd. There is no bolt release on the left side of the receiver as is common with many bolt action rifles, and pulling the trigger all the way rearward does not help. The secret is to open the bolt and depress the spring loaded ejector blade, which can be seen protruding slightly from the lower left side of the bolt face. With the ejector depressed the bolt will slide smoothly from the action." Chuck Hawks

trouthunter,

If you will go to http://forums.gunboards.com which is GunBoards.com and then the forum Swedish Civilian and Sporting Firearms, and then post a question to SBHVA with the serial number of the rifle, he will be able to give you all of the details. I have been to several gun shows with him and he is the past master on Husqvarna firearms. He also has original reference manuals from Sweden with the serial number information.
He has not only accummulated a wealth of knowledge but has bought and sold many, many Husqvarna rifles over the years. He also communicates well with Swedish counterparts that are still living in Sweden.

i personally collect the 1900 actions which were imported into the US from 1969 forward under several company names. Absolutely the smoothest action you will find. The earlier post regarding difficulty finding parts, etc. is true. But, in the 38 years that I have collected them, I have never had a mechanical failure of the action. I certainly have had stocks that needed refinishing and have had to fix a couple of cracks, but no other issues. Four years ago I had a 30-06 rebarrelled into 338.06. Last year I had a 7mm Mag rebarrelled into the new 375 Ruger. Absolutely incredible firearms.

Best of luck and don't hesitate to get on GunBoards Swedish forum with your questions.

SD Hunter

DJ, the gest of the quote comes in the 1st sentence.


Now you can pick apart the rest of it if you want to. Makes absalutely no difference to me. My disagreement isn't based on it. I also gave my own observations and clearly stated how much credence I gave to the author of the quote. This is what I wrote on the subject, the first sentence is in reference that Phil said a M98 bolt will not fit in the action and it went like this:



Do you have anything to dispute what I wrote there?

I like Phil as much as anyone on this board. I enjoy reading what he writes but in this case I don't agree with him. If I was talking to him in person I would tell him the same thing face to face and hopefully beer would be involed in the exchange of idea's. He stated we may very well be talking about different actions and I give him that. You mentioned an author but you didn't quote anything the author said in his book about the subject at hand which pretty much makes it null and void. Nor did you back up anything with your own thoughts. No, this isn't a peer-reviewed journal but if you want to disregard what I personally wrote on the subject and pick apart the quote I only ask that you back up your statements with something.


I simply stated the that a 1640/HVA Husky action is more representative of a small ring M98 action than a M96. Now do you have anything that can dispute that statement other than Frank DeHaas said something about it in a book without even a quote? Further more why am I even arguing this with you? I had a simple, civil disagreement with something Phil wrote, not you. You said you had no opinion on the matter so what's the deal? You seem to be in a disagreeable mood, you don't like the quote? Fine, it's noted.

Terry

Terry, the bolts from my Husky HVA and my son's M-94 will interchange and appear virtually identical in profile. The bolts and locking lugs on mine at least are designed like the M-96 bolts and neither will fit any of my M-98's.
Do any of your Husky receiver have C rings or external bolt releases ?

I have watched this entire thread from the beginning. I was hoping to learn something. But all I have learned, is that I know even less than I thought I did.

I have found the easiest way to determine a large ring from a small ring is use a set of calipers. The LR actions measure about 1.4" - The SR action: about 1.3".

I have several incarnations of the Mauser "Style" actions. I have the Swede M-96, the HVA, FN "Belgian" actions, M-98 military. I cannot make the bolts interchange on any of them.

I think the biggest contribution to confusion on the Husqvarna actions, is that there are so many variations of them and all the actions are just marked: "HVA" No Model #'s.

Obvious differences in the bolt shroud will indicate whether it's a M-96 type or M-98 type as well as the "Cock-on-closing" of the M-96 or the "Cock-on-opening" of the M-98 style. Also when the action is open, the third lug of the M-98 style is quite appearant and obvious.

For anyone that really wants to know, the minor investment of Frank de Haas book: Bolt Action Rifles would seem a worthwhile investment.

The SR M-98 Style HVA is easily discernable by the 3rd safety lug. (And the traditional Mauser "Claw" extractor. However the later post '72 Series (8000 & 9000, I believe) are "push-feed designs.

Still confused? ... So am I...

Grasshopper

I currently have 17 Husqvarna built, or based, rifles including a 6.5x55 built on a 1943 vintage Husqvarna M38 Swedish military Mauser action, a 1944/45 vintage 648 commercial 1896 style Mauser action in 8x57, 6 S&W imported rifles built on the 1640 commercial small ring Mauser style "HVA" action, 1 FFV built on the 1900/8000/9000 commercial "improved" action, and 8 S&W imported rifle built on the same action.

The 1900/8000/9000 "improved" actions are very smooth and I used 2 of them from S&W Cs as the basis for a matched pair of rifles in 256 Newton and 338-06.

I'd agree that DeHaas' and Otteson's Bolt Action Rifle books are worth owning. Whatever information they don't provide, SBHVA can usually add. Otteson's Volumes I & II are available on CD for around $25. I don't know is Wolfe still has the books in print, but they are nice to have on your shelf.

Jeff

Holy crap Terry, you need to relax! As I clearly said, I have nothing against anything you said. I supplied quotes that backed up my disagreement with Chuck Hawks. I supplied a reference to a fairly well-known book and supposed authority on bolt action rifles suggesting that it supported what Mr. Shoemaker had said...certainly not an attack on you. I don't care enough about the discussion one way or another to reprint a book most gun-loonies own or can borrow from the library. If it's really important to you I can post the archive from Pettson's Place (another Husqvarna 'authority') that comes to the same conclusion - possibly borrowed from DeHaas.

Rest easy, I'm not disputing your claims or even supporting Phil's, DeHaas, Pettson - just mearly adding additional information that most people would find useful.

I still think Chuck Hawks sucks.

Ok, figured I better add a quote or I'd be in trouble again.

This is from the former website called Pettson's Place. He only had Husqvarna's on his website and it was a super resource. Hangs out with SBHVA on another site. Make sure to read it all(not just the first sentence) as it's very interesting info.

"The 1640 action and rifles were introduced late 1953. This improved 98 Mauser action was Husqvarna's first own design. Despite the result of the development being a very nice and indeed successful action it was something of a compromise however. The management didn't approve the investments that the design team requested, and the latter still weren't fully satisfied with the result of their effort. Some of the drawbacks of the Mauser action were still evident, and some of it's good features lost.

The cartridge case still wasn't completely sealed within the action (2mm visible, compared to a little over 3mm on the Mauser).
The action wasn't very smooth, you still needed a handful to cycle it (I don't find that a problem, I was brought up on Mausers).
The trigger was less than satisfactory, with some built in (for safety reasons?) creep.
As can be seen in the picture below, they got away from the split locking lug by an alternate placement of the ejector.
The bolt stop/ejector assembly is rather flimsy, and might cause problems on some rifles.
Although still utilising the claw extractor, it's front slot in the bolt body is not undercut, meaning that it will not grip harder on a stiff case the harder you pull on the bolt. This might, at least in theory, cause the extractor to slip and tear the case rim.

This action is often referred to as the "HVA improved Mauser action", whereupon some criticise that statement claiming it is not improved upon at all compared to the 98 Mauser.
Right, it is not. I don't know where this originally came from, a faulty translation somewhere, an unknowing foreign marketing department, or perhaps simply a misunderstanding.
It is my understanding and belief that this action is indeed in most departments an improvement... On the m/94 Swedish Mauser action!
The thing is this; In the original Swedish brochures and catalogues, HVA refers to it simply as the "improved Army Mauser action". Now if you have spent any time in Sweden or with the Swedes, you'll know that to the average hunter, shooter, military man, and even to the not-so-interested man in the street, an "Army Mauser" IS an m/96 Swede. Since 1927, when HVA first introduced it in their model 46, it has been by far the most common Mauser action in use in Sweden, outnumbering the m/98 by an immeasurable amount. This despite HVA's own use of the FN 98 for a couple of years. Moreover, note that with the 1600 action being a small ring action, it is also physically more similar to the m/94 than the m/98. Just add a cock-on-closing feature.

So it is my understanding that HVA never intended to claim that they had improved on the venerable 98, but merely on the 94..."

Take it for what you paid. I shall refrain from posting comments on something I know nothing about.