Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser Actions

One thing I have noticed over my decades of writing for various magazines (and not just on firearms, but a wide variety of subjects, including fishing) is that readers often aren't looking for new information. Instead they're looking for confirmation that their favorite stuff is mentioned. In fact, they'll often look through magazines on grocery store racks to see if the table of contents lists any articles about their favorite rifle, fly rod, big game animal, or whatever--whereupon they buy a copy to see if the author "agrees" with them. If the author does, then he's obviously a genius, or at least agreeable.

Which is why so many gun magazines still run articles even on cartridges or rifles that have been around for a long, long time, say the .30-06 or Model 94 Winchester. There will always be plenty of potential readers who want to hear more about the wonders of their personal favorite--or complain if it isn't mentioned....

One of the great virtues of Internet forums is if their favorite isn't mentioned, they can mention it themselves.

Heck I must be old, and senile.
So much of the stuff we discuss has been hashed for decades.
So much, that most is familiar.

So.. I'm reading this, and it isn't untill I see BobinNH that I realize how
old it is. Or, that it's not just familiar. I have read it before.
More than once.

John, that just reinforces your by line quote from Shrapnel.

Ha!

DF

HA...im so guilty of all of that MD! Im in my mid 30s through


The CZ 550 is the best of the Mauser derivatives imho. Let me explain...

1. Actual CRF with undercut bolt and extractor tongue (only one other than a Mauser)
2. No cut through the left bolt lug for the ejector
3. Better saftey...the last versions were a 3 pos inline that is both positive and quite
4. Surface hardened only for safety in case of blowup
5. Open trigger design
6. Double square bridge with dovetail and locator/recoil lug
7. Forged and machined bottom metal
9. 1 pc bolt
10. Both standard AND true magnum length available (no short action though)
11. Takedown button is both functional and attractive
12. Very safe for both primer and case head gas leakage...deflecting design like the originals with venting through bolt, thumb slot and a deflective bolt shroud
13. C ring action

Opinions will vary...but when it comes time to check off the list of important features...the 550s get the most tics

Its also the best looking

Alas...they don't make them anymore. Im living in the past...its true

Quak,

I believe some gun writer published an article in SPORTS AFIELD a few years ago, making most of the same points. It could also be mentioned that the barrels are normally VERY accurate.

Which is why I did a lot of hunting for around a dozen years with a 550 9.3x62 and a 550.416, as probably have done my last buffalo hunt--and if I haven't, have a perfectly good .375 H&H. But the 9.3x62 is one of the few rifles I'll keep as long as I continue hunting....

MD,

Id love to know what that article is...id buy the back issue in a heartbeat.

As far as the barrels go...everyone I've ever owned shot damn well and a had very concentric chamber and throat. I always hesitate to mention accuracy as everybody brushes it off because finding an inaccurate gun online as you know is often hard. They are hammer forged BUT are hand lapped which is very obvious to anyone who's ever looked down the snout of one with a bore scope or cleaned one.

Ive got 3...all old models they never sold in the US and all in 308. The only big game rifles i own any more...i sold everything else because i could never bring myself to use them with the 550s in the stable.

"2. No cut through the left bolt lug for the ejector"

Does this mean a rising extractor, subject to dragging on fouling, brass bits, rust and all other assorted boogers rather than just standing tall for all?

Are there failures associated with the split lug?

Weaker is weaker my friend. I’ll take no cut in the lug 6 ways to Sunday

Well, this thread is definite proof of of life after death.

However, I made my thoughts on the subject back on 5/28/10 and nothing since then has given me reason to change the opinions posted. Still. I find that the comments post since my original post have been interesting and entertaining. Let's keep it going.
Paul B.

Mauser sporters I have in the safe.

91 Argentine, 7.65x53
'09 Argentine, 257 Roberts
'36 Mexican, 250-3000
1912 Steyr, 7x57
VZ-24, 7x57AI,
DWM, 6.5x55
'48 Yugo, 6mm Rem
Siamese, 45-70, 30-40 Krag

I like Mausers.

Very true. I don't buy a magazine to learn about a new cartridge or rifle. But if I see an article about the 30-30 or 30-06 advertised on the cover I will buy the magazine.

This thread is a living example of why I hoard old magazines and books, the info is still very valuable regardless of datelines!

Mike

PS
Mine are VZ-24, Mark X, and a stock Swede.

For the record...CZ rifles are all Mauser to me...its the lineage.

Make mine a Mauser/CZ!

I do like the smaller CZ versions, never had a full size.

Full size magnums are great for what they are intended. I always get a kick when folks say...its a little heavy for a .400 whatever.

My standards all weight about 7 lbs and are very trim

Is that with scope?

No sir...but that’s with 23.5 inch barrels and steel irons

I built a 7x57 on a mexican 36 a few years back. It was a budget build but worked pretty well. I have a hoard of old mausers. Several FN commercial 98s, some 08 Brazilians, some nice 09 argentines, and a Steyr build 1939 that seems very well made. I've always planned on building something on some of them but keep building stainless rem 700 style things.

Some mauser builds I'd like is a 416 ruger, a 9,3x62, and maybe a 7x57 AI. I'd rather a 280 but the mag boxes are a bit limited.

Bb

My next would be 9,3x62. Such a cool ole bird

You would like this one, an AHR CZ custom 9.3x62. I traded for it, would NOT have paid what AHR charges out the door.

DF