Howdy Y'all,

I have an nice rifle from the early 80's, I think, on a Santa Barbara mauser action. It's chambered in .308. It's an accurate rifle, but it has the ugliest wood stock I've ever seen and it really needs a new scope for serious hunting work. I've got a couple of questions about it.

Is it worth investing some money it to make it a first class deer rifle? I think I'd end up putting a grand in it (stock, scope, mounts, refinish, etc.) to get it RIGHT.

The safety on it is a two position slide safety beside the bolt. It looks pretty cheap. Can I get a 3 position M70 style safety for it?

Were I to order a stock for it, it would be a M98 LA stock right? (I know 308 is an SA cartridge, but was this action ever made as an SA)

Anybody have some experiences with them they'd like to share?

Thanks,
QD

[ 05-10-2003, 20:26: Message edited by: quickdraw ]

QD, what makes you think it is a Santa Barbara action????????? If it is a SB action then the first thing you need do if you want a nice finished rifle is, find a better action! can you post some of the markings on the action, and barrel?

If it is a SB action then it is the same as the standerd length m98. Any m 98 stock will fit it.
SB actions are close to the mark x actions with the mark x being the better of the two.
Most 98 parts will fit.
I dont see why it would not make a great deer rifle, but investing a 1000.00 would be a little over kill for that action in my opinion.

I would buy a after market stock and maybe re-blue if needed, some weaver bases and rings with a leupold 3-9x and you would be ready for the woods.

Roger that, gsp!!

Mine started out as a kit gun from CVA (the black powder gun people). It came with a totally fugly birch stock, barreled action and a bag-o-parts. I lucked out and found the kit missing the trigger and some screws and bought it twenty some years ago for the princely sum of $20.00. I shot my first deer with it long ago.

It's a sporterized M-98 action with slightly better finish than an SKS. Mine actually says "Santa Barbara" on the barrel but no where on the action, just a serial number there.

It's lurked in the closet for some time due to being homely, but it always worked when I asked it to. I've recently installed a Boyd trigger, Choate sporter stock and sent it off for a 9.3X64 barrel. I'll have less than $400.00 in the gun as my backup for travelling. And if the baggage gorillas can damage that Choate stock I'll be impressed.

Rick

[ 05-11-2003, 06:18: Message edited by: Rick R ]

Thanks guys. That's kinda what I figured. Looks like it might get a teflon finish, decent stock, and leupold vxii. Guess it's not quite up for German glass.

--QD