Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles If you were to pick a Mauser to sporterize

Let’s say you have never owned a Mauser, but want to experience hunting with one.

What action would you chose and why, and where would one go about finding one.

First I would look at the rack where your dealer keeps the really bad "Bubba'd" Mausers. You know, the ones some guy butchered in his garage.

As long as there aren't weird holes drilled in the reciever, I'd look for 1909 Mausers with the hinged floor plate. Some of the 98 Mausers with South American crests on the reciever rings were made in Germany under contract. FN Mausers, some made under contract for Sears and other companies.

My 98 was a severely butchered Oberndorf with the Mauser commercial banner on the reciever that I found in a pawn shop in Phoenix AZ back in 1983.

I had a local gunsmith totally work in over in the early 90's.



Dan

This and I would add the Czech produced 98's(98/22, VZ24..) to that list. Usually the many Zastava produced98s(Interarms, Charles Daly, Remington 798 ect) are pretty easy to find and reasonably priced.

Any BRNO and any South American contract Mauser after WWI. The 1909 is nice, yes, and there is a lot of beautiful rifles built on it...but I'm not a big fan of re-heat treating. And you don't really know if your receiver is soft unless you have a way to test it...so why bother, when there are so many good ones out there that were done right from the get go?

I would buy the least expensive Husqvarna 640 with a large ring FN-made action that hadn't been d&t for a side mount from Simpsons, LTD, in Galesburg, IL.

I would would rather build on a 70 year old Husqvarna 640 than on a new Zastava.

I have multiple rifles built on both actions, with the Zastava's being marked Interarms Mark X and Remington 798, along with another dozen built on military Mauser actions that were made in Austria, Belgium, Mexico, Germany, and Sweden.

If you're interested in a military action, I've got a Steyr-made Columbian 1929 action that I was going to build as a 257 Roberts, but haven't and probably won't at this point in time. It is a straight military action, no modifications.

EDIT: $170 shipped and insured to your FFL.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/dumoulin-mauser-action/

Ready to go for only $345

If you decide to go that route, Sunny Hill Machine makes scope mounts for it.

G33/40.......

I think Talley does also.

I think all of the above suggestions sound good. I am not sure if you are looking to build from scratch, find one to tweek just a little, or find a Mauser all ready to take out and hunt. It is amazing what you can find at the local gun shop, gun show, or even call a local gunsmith and ask what is sitting around extra.

I guess I am partial to the Husqvarnas as well. Many of the 640s are reasonably priced with FN actions. And you may even get a good barrel already on it depending what caliber you are after. There are even quite a few Husqvarna 1640 models out there too, (especially in 30-06) available for a more modern Mauser type action. Good luck in the search and be sure to let us know what you find!

'09 Argentine are amoung some of the best miliitary Mausers, good luck finding a G33/40 when found they're pricey. FN Mauser/Sears M/50 are good as are Mark X and Santa Barbara. I've built a .338 WM on a Santa Barbara and a .280AI on an '09 Argentine, both turned out to be nice rifles.

There are so many good actions out there suited to so many different cartridges I’d decide what the cartridge I wanted was and then build.

I used a Mexican 1910 Small Ring 98 for a .257 Rob as it’s an intermediate length action.

A modern Husky Small Ring 98 would make a great choice for a standard (06) length build.

The challenge with those actions is stock availability. The big upside is weight savings.

That Dumoulin is a great value as it has the hinged floor plate, three position safety, and adjustable trigger that add so much to the refining cost of an Argie or VZ24. They require refining (timing & smoothing up) but if I were doing a belted Mag that’d be my choice.

I’ve learned over the years that trying to save money or being in a hurry on these can cost a lot of money. Plan it out in consultation with your gunsmith and stick to the plan no matter how long it takes or what the $ cost is. Spend once cry once; if you cut corners you’ll be unhappy and end up redoing things later which costs more than doing it right first.

Good luck!

If you just want to hunt with one, not necessarily build one yourself, look for either a commercial rifle (FN, Husqvarna, Zastava) or find one already sporterized that you like. You'll come out WAY ahead vs building one.

There are some really nice utilitarian rifles out there for low prices.

I made a living customizing Mausers. If you just want to hunt with a Mauser or try one out, I mostly agree with MTDan. Check out the recent thread on JC Higgins model 50s. There are a ton of (if you shop carefully) inexpensive factory Mauser 98 based rifles to be had. I tell my friends to find one of these rather than a "sporterized" milsurp. There are too many fubar conversions of milsurps. So, unless you know what to look for, avoid them. If you are well versed in Mauser conversions, then yes, a careful buyer can find some very nice custom rifles at bargain prices. In the last year or so I picked up a nice FN made .270 and Interarms Mk X in .30-06, each for under $400. I also scored a Santa Barbara .30-06 for $150, I made it up into an awesome open sight truck gun.

I suggest deciding how much you want to spend then deciding how you want to proceed. If its a full on Custom rifle you want, then decide if you want to build on a Milsurp action or commercial, and buy an unmolested example. As EFW says, the Dumoulin incorporates many features people want in a custom Mauser; 3 position safety, scope ready, modern steel, etc.

I saw a JC Higgins M50 for $399 shouldn't last long at that price

I'm not a gunsmith, but with envy for such with tool talents! But combo of reading a fair amount and "hands on" with a variety in mauser milsurps & such based sporters. I do concur with much said here, particularly including many of the commercial brands and military iterations mentioned. There are just a heck of a lot of nice commercial rifles out there to be had yet at reasonable prices. A big part of 'the deal' in such expertise expressed here, in picking & choosing; knowing how to evaluate the prospective purchase. Wheat from chafe! Then too, some of the Bubba categories. Most where either good truck guns to "salvageable" components at least. I'm with more than my share of the Bubba-supreme Enfields - SMLE & Model '17; Springfield/Remington '03, mausers, 96 & 98 iterations.
I do particularly concur that the Sears Model 50 'was' a sleeper for ages! Now, not so much based on in-crowd as here, attention & climbing prices. The Husqvarna series in classic FN mauser 640 series and 1600 small ring actions as yet sometimes in bargain territory! In terms of "truck guns", I see an entirely legitimate category; the term descriptively put! Just a lot of strong, moderate abuse capable, not to worry about minor scrapes & scratches as integral to use. For me such as the '17 Enfield, as 'tamed' with 'trimming, heavy around the ears' and maybe replacing the circumcised military stock, if offensive! "Celebrating" ('in-term') cock on closing simplicity/ruggedness, five round "distended belly" magazine; big solid, mammy-jammy action! Truck guns with absolutely their legitimate place in the world of rifles; practical side!

Moving to the interesting Doumolin mauser action listing. Reading the advisory, with red flags. To me, picturing an unfinished action itself. Such differing from expectation associated with purchasing such as a FN action in fifties era. The "D" action with considerable recommended work, beyond barrel fitment. In many ways paralleling blueprinting the action, but more extensively and moving beyond! The net caveat inferring an 'action in the rough'. A 'by the way...' concerning feed rails and feed ramp, exemplary. But adding squaring not just receiver face and "lapping" lugs into full contact. Bolt face too! I take such cautions collectively as reflecting actions themselves considerably "semi-finished". Such well beyond barrel 'fitment' and requiring considerable additional skilled/precision machine work.
Net, net here, an 'informed' "be careful what you wish for"!

A great thread here Gentlemen and perhaps to suggest sme of the more obtuse actions as good candidate sporters, as is or reinvented! My contribution the quality Schultz Models 60, 65 & 68; aft locking bolt rifles!

Best& Stay Safe!
John

+1 for a JC Higgins m50/51. FN m98 action. Modern metallurgy/alloy. No thumb slot in back rail (stiffer for the Higgins. Well made, nice!y finished. Add A Timney trigger. Reasonable money for a quality action.

I would pick any of these... Brno ZG-47, G33-40, Brno Model 21

If I was going to do a full blown build I'd only consider some of the premium actions. For myself that would be a post ww1 oberndorf or one of the czech actions mentioned. Everything else will cost the same and starting with one of the "best" actions will be a small incremental cost in the overall project. I actually think starting with a pre 64 action would be cheaper in the long run than the run of the mill actions that require upgrades to the safety/trigger/bm, etc.

If I remember correctly, one of the guys here built a handful of customs on Turk 98 actions.

G33/40
It’s only money which is the easiest part of your build.

Commercial action all day, and since it’s Sunday, twice, unless you can find one with the hard stuff already done on someone else’s dime that you can finish up your way.

At current prices for gunsmithing, you’ll save a bundle, unless you absolutely have to have one with a thumb cut. I recently found one that appears to be a post-war commercial action, but military style, by Heym. Thumb cut, C-ring, very light barrel and stock. $695.

My Dumoulin action 7x57....

Wow, hope Rev Mike doesn't see that.

He may pass out....

Nice,

DF

Yup and thanks!

That's pretty!

Those Dumolin actions look good on paper, but I just can't bring myself to buy a Chinese action. Yours sure did come together nicely though.

The older ones were Belgium.

I see that the newer ones are Chicom. Any idea the date that began?

DF

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I've done full builds on Spandau, 1909's, VZ-24's & still have half a dozen actions that will likely never get built into rifles as the cost today is just too high & I don't have the ambition to do the (significant) amount of work required to get them done.

You can buy a pretty damn nice rifle today that will shoot well for less than the cost of doing a really good '98 up right & that's just the metalwork & barrel.

MM

I think the commercial version is the route I’ll take when I make the leap, I don’t need to worry about things like if it’s hardened or not.

Thanks!

If it's not an FN or fn clone or sr HVA throw it back, just can't see dime one remodeling an old clunk military mauser might as well vote for a democrat you ll be pissing down the side of your leg either way. MB

It's real easy to have more in an old military action than it's worth. Very easy.

I'd stick with good commercial actions, well maybe a G33/40 or other well known, high quality military actions.

Just don't expect to recover your investment, as is the case with most custom guns,.

DF

I have used several 1908 Brazilian actions made by DWM. The ones I have had where really slick actions run like butter.

I have one of those that Century Arms put together in the mid 90s. It’s a pretty nice action.

I refer to mine in that condition as my money pits.

I guess I got lucky on my 1909 Argie. I bought the barreled action at a gun show. The mans was selling it for a widow (so he says) and was asking $600 OBO for the barreled action and a blank for the stock which looked like it has decent figure. I offered $300 on Saturday. As the gun show was closing I went past the guy who still had the pieces to make up a rifle so I once again offered $300. he hemmed and hawed a bit but when he saw three Benjamins in my hand he sold the the works.

I had to wait about six months before I had enough cash to take it to my gunsmith. He farmed the stock out to Sterling Davenport to shape and checker the stock and bed the barreled action. That kind of surprised me but as it turned out my GS has hurt his back and couldn't do any of the heavy work. I'm thinking it was Davenport who really put the whole package together. Came out quite nice. The wood in the stock was a lot prettier that I expected. One thing I noticed was there were little dimples in various places on the receiver and bolt. My gunsmith said that action had been tested for proper hardness and apparently passed. The rifle is in .280 Remington and slightly on the heavy side. I call it my plains rifle as I'd hate like hell to carry it on top of some high mountain. Accuracy is excellent with the old style Speer Grand Slams. I have some of the new type as well but haven't loaded them to try.

With all that said, if I were to do it all over again, I'd look for a J.C. Higgins M50 or 51, or a similar FN based from Montgomery-Wards, Cold, H&R or Husqvarna 640. Save a lot of time and money as the hard work is already done.
Paul B.

This would work

Nickel plated?

No I think previous owner beed blasted it

To answer OPs question, I'd pick one that has already been bubba'd. I won't screech autistically if I see a sporterized military rifle, but these days there really isn't much reason to do it. The best candidate in my eyes would be a post war commercial FN.

these are the ones that most often end up true money pits by the time you correct all of Bubba's mistakes!

Maybe, but the ones I've seen were all molested at either stock or barrel. As mentioned by another poster, suspicious holes in the action are a red flag, though.

6.5 x 55 96-Swede. Chopped one up and the 114 year old Gustov barrel will repeatedly do clover leafs.

I like the g.33/40s. I have 3 and would buy more if they were in good condition and the price was right.

Well Fellas,

I have a G33/40 I'm willing to let go. It already has some of what you're looking for and not bubba'd. My interest has changed from a personal project to buying rifles for my kids. I also have a BRNO ZG47 I might trip as well. PM me if interested and want details.

Although there are quite a few mauser experts on this forum, I am certainly not one. When I read your opening statement about hunting with a mauser rifle I will relay my experience and opinions. As has already been mentioned converting a military can be very expensive. If you are willing to pay the freight to sporterize one you can afford one of the better commercial ones. I have tried four of the JC higgins mausers Model 50 . In my opinion they fed OK but not well. So I sold them. The 270 fed well but the 3x 3006s didn't. I would look for a browning safari which feeds very well and has a good trigger and is complete , or a husqvrana which also feeds very well. Both are based on the FN98 action but have been tuned before they left the factory. The Husky will take some modifications mainly a stock before it equals the browning. Both are usually very accurate. Hope this helps.

Thoroughly enjoyed this Thread & would like to see it continue!

My own 'opinionator' net, net thoughts. Shadows of the 'of mid-century past peak', milsurp sporters, yet alive and retaining 'market niche'! Viable guns in their properly appreciated nesting grounds... The vast majority, from decent field guns to simply practical rough & ready truck guns. As a whole, best evaluated as 'moderate to minimal investment' - 'practical category' econo-investments. Yet too, tending toward objectively 'seedy rep' as as over-hyped, over-priced "custom" pieces where term misapplied at best/misleading at worst! Dang few where the 'beating heart' doesn't fundamentally remain..."Misrurp Sporter"! Momentary, due regard necessary for a small exceptional class of justifiably "custom" iterations as expressions of gunsmithing art.
The unique milsurp heritage & advantage is yet 'generally' abundance of parts; parts which are rough & ready, battlefield proven for most part. Something about bearing such a rifle to range or wilderness! "Dependability factor" ndefinitely ot to be underestimated! A "battle ready/proven rifles definitely not reflect the latest/greatest technology, but couple of decades post manufacture "latest & greatest 'whizzbang' models; firms bankrupt & gone, their broken "thingie" may be unobtainium or arriving in velvet lined case from some eBay seller at $$$!

The "vintage" factory sporters, multiple niches as some well into "collectible stratums". Oberndorf Mauser factory sporters; "pre '64 Win Model 70 rifles; exemplary of a wider class of "valuable". Many Posts here, attesting to the happy invalidity of "getting what you pay for". Some great rifles, yet under-radar offering nice bonus. I personally believe the prior righteous JC Higgins, Sears Model 50 value-bubble has broken. Their nifty quality 'rep' emerged. To me yet a market "hunter killer stealth sub", the noted Husqvarna line. Somehow... The disparity remaining. Great FN and Husky based actions, entirely reasonable prices! They are the happy new Sears 'sleeper replacement', yet better! Considerably more factory chamberings & choice of two great CRF actions; oh my! Of many super bolt rifles, these to me the yet "outstanding "bargains".

As we write here, a huge, happy variety of quality bolt rifles yet 'out there' for the plucking. A hundred years of such plus! I'll personally take 'real steel and wood' to most any 'aluminum alloy and plastic', any day. Due regard and not to 'dis', the latter. Just from 'fondling' to 'fielding', one 'old man's choice!

Best, Do Keep Safe & Happy Holidays!
John

There is definitely something special about a Military Mauser that has had a Master work his magic on it. The problem is the costs associated with it. And there aren’t as many of those guys working on them as there used to be.

I would definitely go the FN 98 action if I was going to do one. Your going to save a lot of money. Look up SuperCubs FN he built on a donor JC Higgins FN 98. Just a work of art.

Personally I think it’s better anymore to go the pre-64 route. I bought a 1954 Standard in 30-06 last year for 475 bucks. I was stunned I walked out with it for that amount of money. But, the demand isn’t really there for these kind of rifles anymore. It has to be Stainless Steel and plastic I guess. Anyway then I thought about what I was going to do with it. It didn’t really have collector value so I wasn’t worried about that. I came close to going with an Edge stock to bring the weight down, then stumbled across Pre-64’s website. I ended up buying a 95% Featherweight barrel and a refinished Featherweight stock. It was put together by Pre-64. I now have a 7.5 pound rifle with scope, that’s like brand new. It’s a lot less money to get there, than using a Military Mauser.

My pre-64 Featherweight in 30-06. Not a Mauser, but as nice in my book.

Then again, a pre-64 Win ain't really a Mauser, is it?

Agreed though that if the Model 70 tickles your fancy, prices recently have been very good for the buyer.

Wow, I keep posting while you are. Nice Model 70!

Both rifles are nice examples! Also why generally, I prefer a nice used rifle over most new production rifles.

Lol! Well I’m partial to the Mauser, just not the amount of money to get them where I’d like them.

That is what happened to me. The '09 looked good in the classifieds here but cost me a to have Mr. Kobe correct improper mount holes and a nice looking bolt handle that would not clear a low mounted scope.

4winds, I’m interested in your actions if you would personal messenger me

I agree..

I've got a 458WM on a BRNO, two Dumoulin actions, a VZ24, and a Turk.

Anyone want to send me some $?

I am 0 for 2 on turk sporterizing. 2 in a row the action was warped and spent money before finding it. Not easy to see with just your eyeball.

Lol out of a zillion that were just fine. My luck.