It's that time of year again, the game is afield and the hunters soon will be. As excited as we all are about the upcoming fall hunts, it's this time of year that many finely crafted Mauser rifles are neglected in favor of "modern" rifles, rifles with no soul, a mere shadow of their historic fore bearers(a poor one at that). Don't let this happen on your watch. Carry a piece of history with you this fall, you will be glad you did. In closing, we ask you to post a picture of a Mauser YOU will take hunting this fall, thank you again for your support and, as always, adopt a rescue Mauser today.
Last years buck, hoping for a repeat this year with the old 8x57.
Last edited by CowboyTim; 11/17/19.
Mauser Rescue Society Founder, President, and Chairman
I don't always shoot Mausers, but when I do...I prefer VZ-24s.
Don't know if we got any pictures of it on the hunt, but cheesy use his JC Higgins M50/51 30-06 on his doe antelope hunt this fall. FN action sold by sears in the 50's. It was in a cheap tupperware stock when he got it,with a Timney trigger, bought a nice M51 stock here on the classifieds and it all went together real well. The doe didn't appreciate the classic he used.
My JC Higgins M51-L 308 from a few years ago. Husky HVA action which is an updated version of the M96 Mauser crossed with the M98. Has the third lug, full M98 length, but retains the small ring diameter.
Last edited by Ole_270; 11/17/19. Reason: forgot the pic
I just returned from Kentucky, where I shot my first whitetail. I got it with my American Mauser, the 1903 Springfield...Best tasting deer I have ever eaten...
I just returned from Kentucky, where I shot my first whitetail. I got it with my American Mauser, the 1903 Springfield...Best tasting deer I have ever eaten...
Love this thread and these old guns.
I gave my good bud this old '42 Springfield that I had in my safe for years. It had the Fajen stock and Timney trigger when I bought it. I got David Christman to alter the bolt, drill and tap for scope. I found a Buehler type safety on Ebay for $12, got David to fit it.
Bud's made a bunch of one shot kills, is fond of the gun. He named it Dusty Springfield. I had some 130 gr. Hornady loads for my HVA '06 project, loaded some for him. The 130 gr. shoots at around 3,100 fps, will blow thru a WT, does the trick on hogs and 'yotes.
I put his Leupold scope on it. I had this Bushnell 4200 3-9x40 on my Marlin Cowboy 45-70. Was shooting it this PM and the erector system won't adjust. Will put note on Optics Forum for advice on Bushnell warranty. In a situation like this, I wish it was a Leupold....
This is my rifle for this year! VZ-24 action, .35 Whelen barrel from Pac-Nor, Stainless 1-12" twist, Boyd's JRS stock reshaped by our own Karnis, now wearing at Vari-X III 2.5-8 scope, shooting 250 gr Hornady's. Had it a long time never killed anything with it so going to tote it until it gets bloodied.
I've got 20-something Mausers to choose from- - - - -some in original milsurp condition, others sporterized. The older sporter made from an 1891 Argentine engineers' carbine is one of the more interesting ones. Back when Turk Mausers were selling for $29.95 for complete rifles in shooting condition I bought 30 of them to sporterize. I've got 10 or 12 of those left. Jerry
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
Eagles fly- - - - -chickens die Veterans are eagles!
The 91 is a "cock on closing" action. Try trimming one coil off the firing pin spring to reduce the closing effort a little. If that doesn't work have somebody weld on a conventional round knob handle. Jerry
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
Eagles fly- - - - -chickens die Veterans are eagles!
Mod 70 ot6 on top. Post WW2 Sako customized Kar98 8mm mauser on bottom which I will be carrying. Dont need no sneaker comments LOL!!!
Shoots 196gr PPU SP,s like this off bench and bags on 3 power at 100 yds. Kinda a mild round at around 2350ish.
Sunday I went out and shot a box of Sellier &Bellot 196gr SPCE 2592 fps per box. Bench and bags 100 yds 3 power sunday and monday morning. Big difference from the PPU stuff. Got it home copper cleaned the barrel sunday afternoon. Went out next morning wanting to see where the cold clean bore shot went and then a boresnaked x3 shot went. Someone left a shoot and see target down the 100 yd line. Slight 5 to 7 mph R to L wind intermittent. 1st shot cold clean bore right at the 9. Boresnake x 3 2nd shot little more left and little higher Brought the target home stuck it on a peice of cardboard , cause I like to look at it. Use it early next fall to shoot again to confirm zero.
Went home did a real light hoppes # 9 cleaning and snaked the barrel x 3. Let alot of inside the ears 8pts walk last year with the mauser. Been seeing a nice 10 this year. Carry the mauser till i fill my 1 remaining buck tag. Then carry the ot6 to kill does with.
Last evening here at the ranch. Archaeologist son scored this buck tonight with a Husky (FN 98 action) 30-06. We wholeheartedly support the use of Mausers in hunting and shooting activities!
Last edited by kaywoodie; 11/23/19.
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"I can regard Texas as little more that Big Drunk’s big ranch."
Last evening here at the ranch. Archaeologist son scored this buck tonight with a Husky (FN 98 action) 30-06. We wholeheartedly support the use of Mausers in hunting and shooting activities!
My JC Higgins M51-L 308 from a few years ago. Husky HVA action which is an updated version of the M96 Mauser crossed with the M98. Has the third lug, full M98 length, but retains the small ring diameter.
Those are nice rifles. My SIL has one in 30-06 that belonged to his late father who was killing in an accident when Jeff was 12. I had it it fixed up for him a couple yrs ago getting the tang crack repaired, refinished and bedded. That thing now shoots 3/4" groups with factory ammo. VG rifle.
I have two FN-98s in JC Higgins M-50s. One is now becoming a full custom 275 Rigby (Rigby Highland Stalker clone) and the other will probably get to be a 9.3x62 some day.
Big Stick is the new MAGA ...... Making Alaska Great Again. Laffin'
I like many types of firearms, but looking at my rifles, I think it's safe to say Mausers are my favorite bolt actions. My Mausers are : 25-06 Two 270 Winchesters Two 30-06s 300 H&H 8X57 Two 9.3X57s 9.3X62 375H&H 404 Jeffery
Friend from church hosted us at their farm where I did some crop damage removal with 100 Gr TTSXs & 4755 doing 3400-ish was just what I needed to flip the switch DRT.
Love this rifle; customizing old bubba’d military rifles is a labor of love 💕!
Four Mauser action rifles adorn my Gunsafes. All are commercial mausers, but very fine rifles, all.
#1 - Husky 1640 in 8x57JS #2 - Parker Hale M81 Classic, in 308 Norma Magnum [Santa Barbara Action] #3 - Identical twin to #2 above, but a bit nicer lumber. #4 - Custom built rifle, built on yet another Santa Barbara Action. Benchmark 26" 1-9" twist barrel also chambered 308 Norma magnum. This rifle shoots 200 AB or Partition or A-Frames into ½ moa right out to 500 meters + if i do my part.
These are all "workhorse" rifles, and have all taken game, mostly moose and elk, but the 8x57 has several Black Bears to it's credit, all one-shot kills. What is not to like about those Mausers?? Regards, Dave..
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.
No pictures but there's a few pre-WWI and WWII sporting Mausers in the toy box. A 9 X 57 Sauer & Sohn, 8 X 57 (.318 groove) Strover,, 9 X 71 Peterlongo by Johann Peterlong in Innsbruck, 9.3 X 57 Mod. 46 Husqvarna, 7 X 64 Brenneke by Wilhelm Brenneke in Berlin….and it seems I'm missing a couple....
NRA Benefactor 2008
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6
Almost a Mauser, JC Higgins M51-L built on a Husky HVA action chambered in 308. The HVA is a modified small ring mauser stretched to M98 length with many of the features of the M98.The same action as the Husky 1640 rifle. This is one of 3 does I took with the rifle last fall using cast 180 gr bullets at roughly 2150 fps. Doe was nearly head on, impact was at the shoulder/neck crease, exit is under the rifle in the picture.
My prime elk rifle is a .35 Whelen on an Oberndorf milsurp. Back up rifles are a commercial FN 30-06, commercial FN .270, several J.C. Higgins in 30-06 and a 7x57 based on a J.C. Higgins M50 that was at one time a .270. Latest acquisition is a Husqvarna 640 barreled action in 30-06 that I've cobbled into a stock to see how it shoots. If I like they way it shoots I'll have it put into a decent stock and hunt it hard. It probably would have beem simpler to just say all my serious hunting rifles are based on Mauser actions. Nuff said? Paul B.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
My one and only Mauser just happens to be my all time favorite rifle. It's a 1952 FN Mauser 98 in factory 7X57. Great shooting rifle with 160 grain Partitions and H4350 powder. Only problem is that when I bought it, it came in an UGLY Interarms Mark X stock. I want a nicer stock for it, but funds just won't allow me to indulge myself right now.
I'm taking my one & only Mauser in 9x57 out to Wyoming this fall for elk season. It'll be my primary gun, but I do plan on having my little Remington .358 for back up.
Don't have as many Mausers as i used to. In the time I have left to hunt, I plan to use just my favorites and I've been getting rid of what my family isn't interested in. I've owned many over the years and have seldom been displeased with them.
Robtattoo, I was shooting my 9X57 this morning before it got too hot. I decided to make it into a dedicated cast bullet rifle and am zeroing in on my hunting load. Looks as though it will be a 250 gr FP with powder coating at a little over 2000 fps. Don't have elk in Alabama, but I think it'll work on our whitetails! Unfortunately, mine is not a fine old original like yours. It has a Shilen .358" barrel on a FN action. It worked well with a Hornady 250 RN on this buck:
I have far fewer than szihn and I mostly hunt M70's and Kimbers. Even so, I still like my Mausers. My gunsmith thinks the .308 Norma is particularly well made.
1894 Swede Carbine in 6.5x55, new sporter stock, modified for scope use, cock on opening Dayton Traister conversion and trigger. Burris 2-7x35mm scope, 98K Mauser sporterized, rebarreled to .243 Winchester. Carved wood and a plastic stock as well. B&L Scope. 98 Mauser sporter, 7x61 S&H Super, 26 in Medium heavy barrel. The action has the cutout for the thumb and the safety on the left side. ction has commerccial markings though. 6-18x40 Redfield. FN 98K 1940 vintage. Sporterized and rebarreled to .35 Whelen, wood and plastic stocks, Gentry 3-positon safety, removeable peep and iron sights as well as a 2-7 Leupy. FN commercial 98 Mauser, factory .308 Norma Mag, side safety, by Interarms. Scope is a 3-9x40 Leupold with LR dots. I would like a LW .270 next.
I love Mausers! I have a VZ-24, a G33/40, a short ring Mexican Mauser which are all still in the project stage. The one pictured is a 1909 Argentine 98, in .270 Win., built by Jim Coffin in Albany, OR. It sports a 24" Krieger barrel, Gentry 3 position safety, Biesen one piece bottom metal, butt plate and grip cap, rust blue and oil rubbed stock. Jim did the stockwork. He was going to build two others, but sadly came down with terminal cancer and passed away.
I used the rifle shortly after I got it to take a nice muley in Colorado. After Jim passed away, I couldn't bring myself to take it out in the mountains and give it "character" so it took up residence in my safe. Jim always said, "Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun." So this year I planned to dust it off on an Antelope in Wyoming. Unfortunately, I did not draw this year, so it looks like I'll have to wait until next season.
Here area few pictures...if I can get them to load. Good to see other Mauser fans enjoying their rifles too!
This “campfire special” has been in the works for a long, long time. At least 9 years. Can’t wait to take her out into the woods.
LR98 chambered you 6.5x55 Swede. Haven’t even gotten a 3-shot group on paper yet.
Boyd’s JRS Classic in upgraded French walnut purchased semi-inlet for my first-ever custom along with the “meh” anodized aluminum bottom metal from Brownells with the pronghorn molded into it. MJBGALT sold me the action a long time ago, Boatboy sold me the 1.5-6x Sightron, JKob sold me the Wisner safety, and I can’t remember who sold me the Apex Rifle Company take-off tube.
The real mastery, which will come as no surprise to those who’ve been here long enough to remember him, was the stock work by Karnis who put it on a serious diet, refined the shape w/ grip scallops, added the ebony end cap and red decelerator. Grasshopper, another long time contributor here, referred me to the gent in Central Michigan who did an outstanding job on the the wrap-around checkering.
Bold trigger, jeweled bolt by Skip Baldwin, and parkerizing done by a client of mine.
Hoping to get a super mild load of IMR-4895 under a 123 GR SST or AM shooting lights out for deer this fall.
There just is nothing better than being hypnotized by a gorgeous stock in my lap as I breathe in the fall air waiting for da turdy point buck to show himself!
I'm hoping someone here can help me identify this gun or tell me anything about its history. I inherited it from a great uncle who passed away. It's been in my family since at least the 1950's if not earlier. I was told it's a 30-06 but there's no barrel stamp and I haven't fired it and won't until I'm sure. I'd appreciate anything anyone could tell me about it or any resources that could point me in the right direction.
It is a sporterized German k98. There are more markings under the front scope base that would tell you which factory manufactured it and when. It was rebarreled as part of the sporterization as it doesn't have the original step-contour barrel.
That's about all I can tell from those pics. Looks like a solid rifle!
It is a sporterized German k98. There are more markings under the front scope base that would tell you which factory manufactured it and when. It was rebarreled as part of the sporterization as it doesn't have the original step-contour barrel.
That's about all I can tell from those pics. Looks like a solid rifle!
Thanks for your help. I have not taken the scope off the top of the receiver yet. I'll need someone's help to do that as I don't have matching screwdrivers and am pretty inexperienced. I did have a gunsmith look at it today and found some more markings (attached if anyone knows what they might mean). The gunsmith said it was likely 1937-1939.
Thanks for your help. I have not taken the scope off the top of the receiver yet. I'll need someone's help to do that as I don't have matching screwdrivers and am pretty inexperienced. I did have a gunsmith look at it today and found some more markings (attached if anyone knows what they might mean). The gunsmith said it was likely 1937-1939.
WWII German(most likely) The info you want is under that scope base, if it hasn't been scrubbed.
Mauser Rescue Society Founder, President, and Chairman
I don't always shoot Mausers, but when I do...I prefer VZ-24s.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
That is a beautiful stock to me. What is it? It looks like hand rubbed oil in the photo. My be my nostalgia meter pegged, but I like it
Mongrel
Mongrel, That is a stock I made myself from Oregon black walnut, the finish is thinned epoxy applied to a heated stock blank... helps the epoxy soak in. Then it is wet sanded and a few coats of oil applied on top. Makes for a traditional yet weatherproof finish. The metal on that rifle is graphite black Ceracote...
Originally Posted by Judman PS, if you think Trump is “good” you’re way stupider than I thought! Haha
That is a beautiful stock to me. What is it? It looks like hand rubbed oil in the photo. My be my nostalgia meter pegged, but I like it
Mongrel
Mongrel, That is a stock I made myself from Oregon black walnut, the finish is thinned epoxy applied to a heated stock blank... helps the epoxy soak in. Then it is wet sanded and a few coats of oil applied on top. Makes for a traditional yet weatherproof finish. The metal on that rifle is graphite black Ceracote...
Did you have the action reheat treated or hardened on 1909 or ran it as is? Nice rifle by the way.
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
1911A1, No I didn't have it heat treated, the 1909 are known for being soft, yet thousands are out there and still working fine. I have another 1909 in 338 mag and have had no setback in either. Many trusted experts claim no need to re-heat treat, others claim it as cheap insurance, so far so good for me.
Originally Posted by Judman PS, if you think Trump is “good” you’re way stupider than I thought! Haha
1911A1, No I didn't have it heat treated, the 1909 are known for being soft, yet thousands are out there and still working fine. I have another 1909 in 338 mag and have had no setback in either. Many trusted experts claim no need to re-heat treat, others claim it as cheap insurance, so far so good for me.
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure mine has not been re heat treated.
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
Mine wasn't re heat treated either but i shoot it at what mule deer calls "burrito fart" pressures so i should be fine unless a little guacamole gets in the mix lol
I started reading this post and it started me thinking what game I have shot that wasn't done with a Mauser! Other than a Win Mod 94 30-30 for my first deer in 1957 and a couple deer and one antelope with my dad's 03-A3 Springfield 30-06 I have used nothing but Mausers. Most were sporterized military Mausers and the rest were Commercial FN Sears, Montgomery Ward and others in 30-06. In my later years, I still shoot all Mausers, but in a lot of different calibers. The last Elk I shot last year, was shot with a 30-06 on an Argentine action! I have almost quit hunting, but when I do go out for Antelope or deer, I use a Mauser (Sears FN) chambered in 257 Ack. Improved. My two boys also use Mausers and one Ruger 77. I guess there is no reason to change now! A good friend jokingly named me Kennymauser!
I'm hoping someone here can help me identify this gun or tell me anything about its history. I inherited it from a great uncle who passed away. It's been in my family since at least the 1950's if not earlier. I was told it's a 30-06 but there's no barrel stamp and I haven't fired it and won't until I'm sure. I'd appreciate anything anyone could tell me about it or any resources that could point me in the right direction.
Judging from the four-digit serial number in connection with the letter in addition to the serial number the gun isn't one of the models manufactured later during WWII. The four-digit serial number in connection with a letter was used to confuse the allies about the total number of K98k made under the Versaille treaty. A 100,000 man army doesn't need hundreds of thousands of rifles and so the Nazis avoided unpleasent questions by the inspectors about a number of guns not needed for a small army.
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
My friends bought me a new Mauser M18 and it is a fine rifle, 243 that I am still working. Need to buy new brass soon, they gave me used stuff of all brands.
Does a Husky count? Here’s a 1640 chrome plated and worked over by Satterlee. If those pigs I hear in the distance squealing come out it will get at least it’s second kill.
1903 Turk Mauser 260 Bartlein barrel, 1/2" (3) shot group at 100 yards, to sight in.
shot a deer Monday, 8 days ago.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps
This year so far, one of my Mausers was used to kill 2 Antelope. It's my featherweight 25-06. Other game this year has been shot with a Savage 99 in 300. I still have tags to fill, and if I take a Mauser for them I'll use either my M46 Swede in 9.3X57 or my full-stock 8X57. But there is a good possibility I will choose a 35 Remington M141 or maybe a Remington M81 in 300 Savage. Or my Mannlicher 6.5X54.....or maybe my Lee Speed(ish) sporter in 303.
I used my Husky to kill about a 200# bar hog this morning. Stepped out of the deer stand to stalk up on a group across the field. Got within about 35 yards or so when a satellite pig I didn’t see spotted me and spooked the sounder.
I busted the bar (I thought it was a big sow) running dead away with the 208 gr ELD-M out of the 30-06. Crippled his back legs with a wound you couldn’t have stuff a soft ball in, then finished him off with my 475 Linebaugh as he was crawling around on his front legs.
He was about to die from blood loss anyways and was bleeding frothily from the mouth already, telling me the bullet had reached the lungs, but I wanted to see what the Linebaugh would do on that size pig broadside shot.
I used my sporterized WW II era german mauser in 30-06 on my cow elk hunt this past fall. I call it a family heirloom, just not from my family. I own a safe full of more modern rifles but none with more soul than this one. Imagine my response when my guide wanted me to use his plastic stocked rifle with a suppressor so the elk wouldn’t spook and we could shoot two out of the same heard! A 180 grain partition did the job, opened up great at modest ought six velocity and was under the hide on the har side.
Have to dig up some photos of my 1913 H&H 375 Belted Mag on a Magnum Mauser action.
Yes. I will, bought this rifle from Mule Deer not long ago. I always wanted a G33/40 rifle, got lucky, saw it a little after he posted it in classifieds. He said the maker unknown, possibly German made. It fits me perfectly, thankful to own it, ain’t never selling it.
Commercial Husqvarna I restocked and rebarreled to 6.5-06
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps
Mexican 1910 with a Douglas XX .308 barrel installed by Dick Williams a while back, new bolt handle, low power Leupold in a well used NOS glass stock. Very accurate with 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips.
Currently wringing out a VZ24 with a Brownells 6.5 x 55 barrel, new bolt handle, 3.5 x 10 Leupold, in a Bell and Carlson stock. Trying to finesse some loads with IMR 4451 and Hornady and Barnes monolithic gr bullets. Just had it matt finished blued and it doesn't seem to be grouping as well as it did before.
Damn! That’s a Beauty! As is that knife too. Who made that one?
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
I have a buddy that has a small gunsmith-retail shop. Said he had an old Mauser sporter. I went by and verified that it was an older build. I had to take it home as the was a 270 with aperture sights. It has not been drilled and tapped for scope bases. It is a VZ33.
Butch, I just picked up an FN .30/06 made in 1952. It’s drilled but the rear hole spacing is a non-standard 3/8”, not 1/2, so that base would have to be customized to match. It’s possible that a bridge mount may fit, but for now I’m going with a red dot on the receiver while I search for a nice peep. No one makes one for the FN factory drilling now, so I’m on the hunt. Another member very kindly sent one “on approval” for me to try, but the holes didn’t match. I have a line on a Lyman 57FN, a factory sight I’m told. I’m hoping I can leave the front base on and still use a peep, so I have options. The red dot works very well and I can shoot it without glasses in a pinch.
Geedubya, that mammoth ivory is very cool stuff. I have a Damascus-bladed knife with it, scrimshawed by Kurtz Miller of Eureka Springs, AR, who gave me the knife and elephant hide sheath after his father passed. His dad was my very best friend and the knife one of my most prized possessions. Not a using knife though.
I never cared for all the extra steel on the end of the bolt. Cleaned up and the safety put on the side of the stock does make a better presentation. This is a 257 Roberts and a real nice rifle for deer and antelope...
Are those ticks coming off that deer above the knife handle? Sorry ever since I contracted Lyme disease 5 years ago I have become hyper vigilant for those cursed creatures.
Here's my lineup, 2 on the right are mausers, far right is a sportered 7mm spanish, next one left is a 98 in .243 with a redfield widefield. The synthetic one is my typical rifle, howa gameking in 6.5 cm, and the other one is a mark v in 257 magnum. The 98 and mark v are new acquisitions to me, the spanish was my first rifle (was my grandpas) sights are bent on it so it doesnt go hunting much
Not sure you are still around Pappy348? I also have an FN 30-06 made in 1952…would like to see a picture of yours. Mine has the rear peep and is also drilled for a scope. I have a couple different scope mount bases for it…
So, how much would you pay for a Mauser pistol like that with all the accessories in 9mm? What is it worth?
Apologize for the delay in reply - still learning my way around here. This one is a 1930s Commercial model in 7.63 Mauser and a fairly common gun. 9mms are much rarer and more expensive. The gun would be about $1500-$2000, original Mauser shoulder stock $500. Add 50% for 9mm. I reload and for hunting shoot .30 carbine soft point bullets. Its a good shooter up to about 100 yds.
My first Mauser success with my Husqvarna .30-06. Was unsuccessful getting it on an elk this year so I decided to take it after a whitetail. Had both my boys (5 and7) with me so that made it even better.
"...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." - Paul to the church in Thessalonica.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
I got mine from a friend, who in turn got it from his friend in Col. who used it on deer and Elk. It`s been some what sporterized, front sight and rear peep, and it shoots so well I`ve often thought of mounting a scope, just to see what it could really do. Love hunting with it, and have taken deer. I do like the looks of the scope on yours. Any issues in mounting one. I ASSUME the receiver is case hardened?
my 1916 sporterized oberndorf, given to me by a former neighbor, is getting some work by a gunsmith friend: proper handle, bobbed and crowned, XS peep and front ramp sight. i'd already mounted a timney trigger, and reworked the ancient stock. it'll be done in the next few days. it WILL get to hunt deer ...
More than four decades ago a Canadian veteran let me shoot shoot one just like that at the range, including the wooden holster stock.
I tried to pay him for the ammunition, but he refused - said that he'd been paid enough watching a young fellow take part in history.
Knowing that my hero Winston Churchill carried one in to battle made me feel extra special as I sent three stripper clips (of 10 shots each I think) downrange.
Your post brought these memories flooding back - Thank you SO much!
I own a boat load of rifles. This out of all them is my go to . Mauser 98 8x57 topped with 3x9 Leupold. Shade over 7 lbs and deadly accurate. Dirty birds and all.
Not sure which picture app you are using, if you are not using https://imgur.com/ you may want to give it a try, it is very easy to upload pictures and post them on Forums in various sizes.
After uploading an image click on it and on the right you will see View and Edit Post.
Under the heading, BBCode (message boards & forums) click copy. Before you copy, select the size you would like to post.
You will have to set up an account, it's easy and Free.
This is my Mark 10 in 350 RM with a stained big leaf striped maple stock, Madagascar Ebony tip and cap w cross bolt plugs, Packmeyer Decelerator pad.
“To expect defeat is nine-tenths of defeat itself. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is best to plan for all eventualities then believe in success, and only cross the failure bridge if you come to it." Francis Marion - The Swamp Fox
7x57 old death and destruction. When something absolutely, positively, must die!
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
Bob the 450-H is badass, killed a 6x5 Bull Elk with it last Sunday 153 yrds DRT a Really fun gun to shoot, never have shot a critter twice with it.You did a great job putting it together for me, Good luck on you Elk hunt with James. Rio7
I will be carrying my newly acquired 7X57 Brno 22F opening day. Got it last week to go along with two other ones already claimed by my kids. This one is much better looking than either of the others and has the advantage of not having any modifications. Unfortunately, it is resisting my efforts at finding a tack driving load for it, 'tack driving' being subjective. These full stocked rifles usually give average accuracy at best. So far, the best I've been able to do with this one is about 1.75". That is perfectly acceptable for the distances I'll be hunting with it at, but I'd love to get it around MOA....just because!
Many other types of actions have some advantage or another that may be deemed to be better than a Mauser. But taken as a total package, the Mauser is still hard to beat!
I will be carrying my newly acquired 7X57 Brno 22F opening day. Got it last week to go along with two other ones already claimed by my kids. This one is much better looking than either of the others and has the advantage of not having any modifications. Unfortunately, it is resisting my efforts at finding a tack driving load for it, 'tack driving' being subjective. These full stocked rifles usually give average accuracy at best. So far, the best I've been able to do with this one is about 1.75". That is perfectly acceptable for the distances I'll be hunting with it at, but I'd love to get it around MOA....just because!
Many other types of actions have some advantage or another that may be deemed to be better than a Mauser. But taken as a total package, the Mauser is still hard to beat!
If it fits your hunting style, I'd suggest starting with 160 grain cup and core bullets, Sierra and Speer flatbases are what I used mostly in my BRNO's, I used Win. brass (good internal capacity), and WLR primers, and 760/414 at 48 grains....way above reloading manual max. Brno may be metallurgically the best of Mausers, BRNO has a very long European throat, and the reloading books are written to accommodate the idiots who would use hot loads in 1893 actions and possibly some fool firing them in 1902 Remington Rolling blocks. At 48 gr I got 2600 fps and 1 moa 5 shot groups. I seated the bullets well out, don't worry about jamming the lands...you can't. Brass lasts indefinitely so pressures are sane. Also, don't just jump to the folklore conclusion that full stocks are to blame for accuracy problems, that hasn't been my experience at all with 2 fullstocks and 1 halfstock, I'd say phooey.
Last edited by flintlocke; 10/25/23.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
I own 3 full stocks and the only one I had issues with was a Ruger RSI and once I relived a bit of metal along the nose cap where it was touching the barrel it has been fine. My Mannlicher Schoenauer 1905 and CZ550FS have both been very accurate. I second the phooey call.
I built my first full stocked rifle in the early eighties using a [bleep] 90% stock and a Mark X Whitworth barreled action. Following the advice of a knowledgeable buddy, I bedded it from 'appetite to azzhole'...full length bedding from the tang to the end of the barrel. It is a very accurate rifle and accounted for many whitetails until it slowly drifted to the back of the safe. Now I take it out once a year out of respect.
Since then, I've owned about a dozen or so full stocked rifles and found that average accuracy is about the best one can expect from them without a lot of work. The single exception is my CZ550FS in 6.5X55 which will go under MOA consistently. Between myself and friends, I've seen the results of shooting both M77 and No 1 RSIs and not a single one of them would shoot MOA without serious bedding work. Please understand that not a one of those FS rifles was unusable WRT accuracy (phooey or not), they just wouldn't produce 'wallet sized' groups. When carrying one, I just hunt places where shots won't exceed the rifle's capability.
flintlocke, you are absolutely correct about the excessive free bore in Brno, and other European, 7X57s. I got my first 22F 20 years ago and was checking it out while waiting for the scope rings to come in. I checked length to lands in it and found I could not seat a 139 gr Hornady out long enough to reach the rifling....by a lot! My thoughts were, "Oh well, at least it looks good". I was blown away when it shot acceptably despite the free bore. The second 22F is an 8X57 and did not have a free bore issue.
This 7X57 is like the first. Even tried a 175 gr Hornady RN and couldn't reach the lands with it. So far, I've tried 139s, two different 160s, and the 175s using 3 different powders. Groups are in the 2 to 3" range except for a H414/139 load. It measured 1.75". I still have a few more tricks to try, but if I don't find that 'magic' load, I'll take the best one and shoot some totally cold bore groups (one shot every day) and see if I can depend on the first shot going to the same place. If that's the case, I can certainly live with it. I have no interest in rebedding or altering this old classic so that it will shoot bragging size groups. It is a hunting rifle, not a bench rest rifle!
I'm glad that y'all are getting exception accuracy with your FSs. I wish mine would consistently turn out MOA and better groups but they don't. I've just found that the full length stocks add too many extra variables that affect accuracy. If I did a lot of extra work on them like the first FS stock I built, I have little doubt a big difference could be noted. These days, if I can get acceptable hunting accuracy, that is enough. Especially with the old classics that I don't want to modify. My first two 22Fs and my 1903 M-S do the job and won't be touched. This new one will do so too when I get it figured out.
I don't want to get pushy here...but I will reiterate, maybe the most important single thing about the accuracy load I quoted above, is the profile of the flat base 160 gr bullets seems to work with the BRNO chamber dimensions. I fooled with a great variety of 139 to 145 bullets, in a number of traditional powders, in a number of seating lengths....and never came even close to 1 moa. And, since I found this to be true in 2 BRNO's, widely separated by year of production, I'd venture that there is a clue there in regards to the 160 fb and BRNO chamber. By the way, I never had any joy with the 154 Hornady either, which is very strange, considering it is fairly close to the Sierra and Speer 160's.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
I don't want to get pushy here...but I will reiterate, maybe the most important single thing about the accuracy load I quoted above, is the profile of the flat base 160 gr bullets seems to work with the BRNO chamber dimensions.
Sounds good to me. I actually put a box of Speer 160s in my Midway cart 2 days ago but haven't pushed the button yet because I'm waiting fora friend to add something to my order. That decision was based on the O'Connor article floating around here that states that is all Elenor ever used in her 7X57. That plus JB always seeming to lean toward 160s in that cartridge. Good to hear you've had success with them as well. The only 160s I have on hand are Accubonds and they didn't work.
I have used primarily 139 Hornady flat base bullets in all my 7X57s since building my Mark X with excellent results. They work well in my first Brno 7X57 as well, but who knows. Maybe the flat base 160s will be that 'magic load' for me. If you would share your load info with that bullet I'd love to try it. Put it in a pm if you don't want it on the forum. Thanks for the input.
I'd like to hear back if it works for you or not. Good luck. Like you, I could hunt the rest of life with a 3 moa rifle and never go short on meat...but there is something about 1 moa...maybe confidence, who knows?
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
The 6.5x55 closed the deal in KY on the 2nd morning. 120 gr NBT
Congratulations! I really like that little stutzen.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
Here's another picture of the rifle with last years spring black bear (color phase bear). One 173gr SPCE pill in the lungs at 100 yards put the bear down.
Here's another picture of the rifle with last years spring black bear (color phase bear). One 173gr SPCE pill in the lungs at 100 yards put the bear down.
I have a few that need to get out there and get their chance at making meat. One especially, a 1948 FN .270, has been around here far too long without ever being hunted. It’s pretty beefy with the factory barrel, but now that I’ve dropped a load off my own gross tonnage, toting it shouldn’t be too awful. I have a pretty good pile of Noslers courtesy of SPS for it, including some E-Tips, that have been around long enough to count as “free” bullets now.