I have a VZ 24 Mauser and a 1903 Springfield. One of them is gonna be made into a 375 (or maybe 416) Ruger. Which action would you choose?

I want to end up with a 20" barrel, forward mounted scope, and backup peep sight "heavy scout" rifle.

Most of the work other than the bolt face alteration, barrel install and chambering, and feed rail mods for feeding I can do myself.

Main question is which action would you prefer to use for this project?
Secondary question is does anybody have any experience with ER Shaw doing these kinds of modifications? Who would you send it to to have just the rebarrel and magnum mods done if you were going to handle the rest?

Any tips, opinions, advice, flames or dire warnings of imminent doom are welcomed.

I'm not familiar with the variations of Mausers to know if a VZ24 is suitable or not. the 1903 Springfield MAY be suitable, depending on it's mfg, but Springfields are definitely a money pit, particularly when chambered for magnum cartridges.

Definitely the VZ24. Excellent Mauser action.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray B:
I'm not familiar with the variations of Mausers to know if a VZ24 is suitable or not. the 1903 Springfield MAY be suitable, depending on it's mfg, but Springfields are definitely a money pit, particularly when chambered for magnum cartridges.

Kuhnhausen's book says the Czech Brno VZ 24 is one of the best actions to build a sporter. Full length large ring mauser.

Definitely the VZ24; and I didn't get that from no book.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Definitely the VZ24; and I didn't get that from no book.

Double negative so you did get it from a book?

OK, VZ 24 it is.
Any suggestions as to who would be willing to do just the barrel and magnum conversion and let me do the rest?
Anybody had anything done by ER Shaw?
Thanks

dpcd would be my choice. Based on work he has done for me the past few years. His work is the best quality, reasonably priced, and finished in a timely manner.

Ask me about the switch barrel in 300 H&H and 375 H&H he built for me on a mid-50's FN Magnum Mauser one of these days.

Rich

Well I'm late to this party but the VZ 24 is proberly heat treated and is a good foundation for a big bore. The Springfield 1903s should be relegated to 30-06 level cartridges only.

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Well I'm late to this party but the VZ 24 is proberly heat treated and is a good foundation for a big bore. The Springfield 1903s should be relegated to 30-06 level cartridges only.

Really?
I think some would disagree with a blanket statement like that....

"The Enfield is a battle rifle, the Mauser is a hunting rifle, and the Springfield is a target rifle"
Works for me.
Would anybody be willing to quote a "ballpark" price to do just the conversion work and let me do the finishing? (Sights, stock,etc)

I would opt for a Mauser or Enfield for any big bore rifle...customized of course..The Springfields are OK with the right serial number, but do not compare to a Proper Mauser or enfield...I like the Chilean, or Puruvian 1908s best as do many gunsmiths, but they have gotten very expensive, but a DGR is no place to go cheap, all you can loose is your life.

I went a different way on my two BB M98 Mausers (commercial FN actions) - both have custom bases with flip-up pep sights:

quote:

Originally posted by aephilli:
OK, VZ 24 it is.
Any suggestions as to who would be willing to do just the barrel and magnum conversion and let me do the rest?
Anybody had anything done by ER Shaw?
Thanks

I have a Shaw bbl on one of my .308s - I was really surprised by the accuracy of that bbl for the price they charge. I recall one group I shot sitting that went 3/8" at 200 yards (obviously I won't claim to be able to repeat that).

I ended up buying 1000 rounds of cheap Indian surplus ammo for offhand practice; not sure if that is why the rifle now groups 1.5-2 inches, but who cares? I leave it in MN with my daughter and use it on my annual deer hunt there. It was accurate enough to hit a buck at 25 yards this year, and every year back going about as far back as I can remember (I don't think I have killed a deer beyond 50 yards in MN in quite some time, however).

[QUOTE]Originally posted by capoward:
I went a different way on my two BB M98 Mausers (commercial FN actions) - both have custom bases with flip-up pep sights:

Those look just about perfect. Who did the scope bases, folding sight and bolt work?

TB,

Steve Button did my all of my metalwork including the bolt and custom designed (and manufactured) the bases with integral peep sights. Unfortunately Steve has since retired due to health reasons.

Duane Wiebe currently manufactures a similar custom scope base with integral peep sight. Duane also sells, and installs, an identical bolt handle (Steve obtained the bolt handle from Duane).

Today I'd likely go with a rear detachable NECG CZ550 peep sight and use bases and rings from Alaskan Arms LLC:
Bases:
https://alaskaarmsllc.com/coll...ope-ring-base-blanks
Rings:
https://alaskaarmsllc.com/collections/cz-scope-rings
Removable peep sight:
http://www.brownells.com/rifle...sight-prod25885.aspx

But I am very happy with what I have...

Here's a photo of both rifles (photo distorted as they're only 1/2" difference in OAL):
[URL=http://s123.photobucket.com/user/capoward/media/Rifles/M98%20Rifles/DSCF3066_zpsbbb8a9b2.jpg.html]

I have been tempted to cut a shallow V in the rear base of whatever scope mounts we use, like a Talley or any custom mount on a DGR, I know its close to the eye, and that's taboo with some although I doubt they ever tried it, but so is a peep or Ghost sight, and if you used a NECG gold faced partridge front sight and took a flush level sight picture like with a pistol it should be an excellent auxillary sight suitable for DG in the thick stuff as well. It would be fast and accurate enough I sure. Just never tried it so far.

I normally use barrel one standing on an island sighted at 100, sometimes One up and two down and sight them in for 100, 200 and 300. or I use a Talley QD peep on custom Talley bases ( cut lower than Talley bases) with QD talley rings.

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:
I went a different way on my two BB M98 Mausers (commercial FN actions) - both have custom bases with flip-up pep sights:
...

Not what I meant by my original question, but really cool looking setup. Probably out of my budget for this build, tho...

Please allow me to correct my grammar on my previous comment;
I didn't get it from no f*ckin book.
Use the VZ24.

i've done the 416 Accrel (just think 10% bigger ruger) on the springfield, as i love US made rifles and have made several interesting springfields .. but, for real, the vz for a fighting rifle, as it's easier and cheaper all the way around