I recentley got my very first center fire rifle back, an old BCD code Mauser. Thinking of a semi custom lite weight rifle but not sure what caliber. Already have a 6.5X55, 6.5X57, 300 H&H and a 9.3X62. Thinking about a 6.5-06 or a 280 Remington. Would be used for mostly Whitetails with occassional shots over 200 yards. The 8mm stock barrel is about gone, and the Bishop sporter stock is a poor fit.
The 6.5-06 wouldn't do much more than you other two 6.5mm's. The .280 is nice but then again, so is the 7x57. I'd look to the 7x57 or possibly the .308 Win. You don't need anything that'll kick the snot out of you for taking deer at 200-300 yds.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill
Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
I got the old Mauser back in a trade, I gave my Nephew a Santa Barbara Mauser in 243, and my Brother in law asked if I wanted the old Mauser back as he did not use it any longer. I was going to rebarrel the 243 but found it shot under 1/2" with 100g bullets seemed a shame to change it. The rifle will be used and treasured. I have a bunch of 30-06 brass and alot of 6.5 bullets. I am leaning to the 7X64/280 Remington as I also have alot of 7mm for the wifes 7mm08. Really is hard to get an allrounder..
Your Mauser was built to work with a cartridge slightly shorter than the .30-06. While it can redily be made to work with the longer cartridges, using it for something on the 57mm case seems appropriate. Why not build yourself a really nice 8x57. It will do all you want on deer and can also handle heavy bullets for larger game.
Posts: 13248 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
Originally posted by Stonecreek: Your Mauser was built to work with a cartridge slightly shorter than the .30-06. While it can redily be made to work with the longer cartridges, using it for something on the 57mm case seems appropriate. Why not build yourself a really nice 8x57. It will do all you want on deer and can also handle heavy bullets for larger game.
+1
With your 6.5x57 and an 8x57 and skilled use, you'd be able to hunt anything in North America, effectively & efficiently.
My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still.
Posts: 9685 | Location: Cave Creek 85331, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001
Its actually in 8mm right now, original WWII barrel that has seen better days. Pitted and some throat erosion. 35 Whelen and 338-06 are pretty much covered by the 9.3X62. I would agree that the X57 case size is ideal. Looking hard at the 257 bob and the 7X57. Both would be nice shooters in a lite weight rifle. Who has the best lite weight synthetic stock for a large ring 98 now days?
That thing begs -- begs, I tell you -- to be a 7X57.
There's nothing in North America except maybe moose and the biggest bears that can't be taken well at reasonable ranges (250 yards or less) with a 7x57. Furthermore, a 7x57 won't kick very much, make a huge noise, or require a barrel longer than 22" to get great results.
And Remington makes bulk 7x57 brass that you can get at a good price.
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
Pretty much getting settled on the 7X57, bit of a sucker for a classic. Bullet selection is better in 7mm over .25. Better range "in case" something else in a hunting situation comes along. The daughter loves the Steyr in 6.5X57, the 9.3 is a bit of an overkill and rather heavy. Did go three for three on this years hunt however. The Sako is a 20 year old plus Finnbear that I have been reluctant to take in the field as the wood stock is just so pretty. The pre 64 Model 70 in 300 H&H is again abit of an overkill for a Whitetail. Now in the collector range. I do have a second stock, and will take this one in the field when the opertunity presents. Still wondering about synthetic stock options for a large ring 98 Mauser.
A relatively inexpensive synthetic stock that to me has a pretty good feel is the Butler Creek maqde for a Mauser. Of course, there is alway a McMillam but the BC stock is a lot lighter. I have one on a J.C. Higgins M50 in 30-06 that I glass bedded the recoil lug area and two inches of the breech area on the barrel. A Pachmeyr Decelerator pad eases the ouch factor and I took care of the Tupperware factor by placing a piece of narrow angle iron in the hollow of the forearm and filling the hollow with expanding insulation foam. Be sure to mask everyuthing off real good or things can get messy real fast. I pit two layers of electrical tape on the underside of the barrel to free float it. I also filled the hollow butt of the stock with the foam as well. Again, be sure to do a good masking job. The stock trigger was replaced with a Timney, otherwise the rifle is as strictly stock as when Sears sold the gun. After getting the stock work finished, I took it to the range to do a general sighting in with some Winchester 180 gr. Silvertip ammo I had laying around. After getting it sighted in where I wanted it, I fired two five shot groups, both of which were under one inch. Guess I got lucky on that stocking job as most of my DIY jobs usually do not turn our quite that well. Paul B.
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001
I cannot agree more about the 7 x 57mm as the ideal calibre. At the moment, I have 3 M98 Mausers as hunting rifles - all I might add built on non collectible rifles. The first is a Brazilian 1908 with the original and almost mint barrel in 7 x 57mm cut down to 24". Shoots very well indeed and to me, proves the outstanding reputation of the 7 x 57mm round.
The second M98 is another Brazilian 1908 but this had a really rusted out barrel - rest of the action was 100% - and while contemplating getting another 7 x 57mm barrel, a friend dropped in and gave me a 22" Parker Hale large ring barrel chambered in 6.5 x 55mm with about 100 rounds through it - the price was right - free - and on it went. The third is a small ring 1935 BRNO VZ33, originally in 8mm but the short barrel was a pain. A local gundealer then advertised brand new - in the wrap - 6.5 x 55mm barrels for the Swedish M38, already threaded for a small ring action and already chambered, and $100. On it went.
Now I have two very satisfactory M98 Mausers in 6.5 x 55mm and one in the original 7 x 57mm. My sons get to shoot the two in 6.5 x 55mm but they are not going to pry my 7 x 57mm out of my hands - it really is the perfect hunting and general use calibre.
Arte et Marte
Posts: 116 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 09 September 2003
It's going to be a 7X57. Stupid to spend the money, I could get a commercial 7mm08 for about half of what it will cost to modify this one but it is something I would like to do. When I first bought this rifle about 30 years ago the $75 I spent on it was alot of money. Just married and money was tight. Got two deer that year so the rifle payed for itself in meat. Several more deer over the follwing years. Went back into the Navy and passed it on to my brother in law who used it for several more years. Will turn it into a go to rifle, one I'm not worried about beating up or collector value. Now have to pick a barrel and a stock..
