The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Making a magnum MauserGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
one of us |
Once upon a time it was common to hear of Mausers being modified for long magnums by welding two receivers together. I know that there would be quite a bit of work, but I would think that a master metal-smith could produce a nice "magnum Mauser" using this method. Is anyone still doing this, and what is the approximate cost? Jason Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | ||
|
Moderator |
a cz 550 costs $650 ish as an action. Yes, its not a mauser. Legacy had been importing true magnum actions, for about $1800 -- and couldn't sell them, as no one wanted them. Hours, labour, and liability? If you could get one for less than $2500, I would be amazed... and I wouldn't shoot it opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
|
One of Us |
Hmmmmmmmm. ??? I really do not see why not? Bent Fossdal Reiso 5685 Uggdal Norway | |||
|
| Moderator |
Bent if the job was UNDER $2500 bucks, what i mean is that i would be concerned with cheap work, on a dangerous job... opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
|
One of Us |
Post this on gunsmithing....I've posted it there before but a long time afo.....I assure you that there's folks yet with the skills to do it and as a matter of fact they cut two mausers in half and make one long action and one short action.....cute trick! O knew a fellah that did this years ago and I'd have fired his action with no hesitation.....but I'm not at all sure he still does it. I'll bet someone posting in gunsmithing does it or knows someone that does. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "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 | |||
|
| one of us |
I did post this in gunsmithing. I got one reply, so I cut and pasted it here. I have an article(an old article) that details the steps to shorten an action(M70). It really does not seem that complicated, and I don't see how lengthening and action is much different. Except that you need two actions to start with.... So.... does anyone have a ballpark cost? Jason Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
|
| One of Us |
It seems like as though it would still be lesser expensive in time and money to purchase a Montana "PH" action as this will be the largest out there by far for the money. Just looks like alot of trouble lengthening the bolt also. Just an opine. Rodney. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I believe the talented Ralf Martini cut two mausers to make a magnum and short, to gain entry into ACGG. For the money, id by far prefer to buy a new dedicated chromemolly magnum98 receiver. | |||
|
One of Us |
Since the bolt locks at the front of the action, I would not think safety would be comprimised much if any. The trick would be to make sure everything was straight and properly aligned for smooth action, and not to overheat the reciever during the process. JJK | |||
|
| One of Us |
I believe I've read that Butch Searcy used to do it.....send him an email (he posts here) and ask.....but it'll be spendy also I understand D'Arcy Echols does it..... I'd try PM to Duane Wiebe as well..... IIRC Searcy charged the same for a welded magnum bolt rifle as for a double rifle.....$10,000 or there abouts if that helps FWIW I've done it too.....but the results were horrible and I scrapped two Mauser actions trying....and I used acetylene as a welder but have TIG today and it would be a lot easier.....but there just so many things to weld.....and they all must be done perfectly for reliability..... Those recommending a ready made magnum action are dead nuts on the money. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "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 | |||
|
| One of Us |
OK, yea I see what you mean... But thinking of it, it is not that dramatic to do... The welding is done far from the front ring and lugs... An unqualified person would not make it fit and function anyway... But... OK, yea, I see what you mean...  Bent Fossdal Reiso 5685 Uggdal Norway | |||
|
| one of us |
Great info from all. I don't want to bug any metal-smiths directly because I am mot in the market to but one, I am just wondering why it is not more common. Jason Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
|
| One of Us |
I'm having two Magnum Length Mausers built as we speak. I asked this same question (to many different smiths) and all agreed that it is no longer feasible with todays labor costs. A GMA, Prechtl, or Johannsen is a better choice as it is purpose built with new materials. | |||
|
| One of Us |
If this the action, Mr. Searcy wants $15,000 to start. | |||
|
| One of Us |
He sure does make a nice rifle though!   | |||
|
| one of us |
I have seen some excellent examples of this conversion but I have never used an action made from two other actions welded together. By the time these conversions are completely cleaned up you would have damn near paid for a H&W or similar type action made from the solid. The warp-age in re-heat treatment has been known to push the fearless smith over the edge | |||
|
| one of us |
I have found it much easier to convert the Enfield to a big bore and done right they are absolutly beautiful... I have a 404 I am building on one of Butches big intermdiate actions that he imported out of RSA as I recall, not made from two actions, thats not a good idea IMO... Most 40 calibers and 45 calibers can be converted from the std. Mauser actions..The 505 and some of its counterparts are for those big actions including the 416 Rigby..This is where the Enfields shine IMO. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
|
One of Us |
If you want a step by step photo article about how to do it using Model 70 actions get 'The Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing' by Jack Mitchell and there is one entire chapter or section devoted to it with excellant photos of each operation. It was done by Joe Reid of Tucson quite a few years ago. Around the eighties I would imagine. Joe has done quite a bit of work for me and is more than quite talented but I think he has retired. Common machine tools were used and it was gas welded. Shows jigs and all operations. SCI Life Member NRA Patron Life Member DRSS | |||
|
| one of us |
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that you are not a custom gunmaker! Steve Nelson has an article on it in the current issue of Gunmaker. He was surprised by how hard it was to get evrything cleaned up. I have shortened them before. It is one of those things people usually do just because they can, not for economic reasons. I know several guys who have done it. Well, when shortening an action and going for the lightest weight possible you can save quite a few ounces buy making your own short action and not building it to original Kurz footprint. Few people are actually looking for maximum weight reduction in a rifle. Otherwise, it is cheaper to just buy a GMA or something. Or better yet order a Hein action in the desired size!  | |||
|
one of us |
once upon a time I got a model 30 action someone had Swiss cheesed fir a scope mount on the left rail. So I deceided to TIG weld it up. It got real ugly real fast as the action warped at any setting I tried.e eventually I got everything square and locked in place with a bar through the action and a jig to hold it. Now I had to clean up the bolt raceway in the mill. Given all the welding, now I had to reheat treat the thing and re blue it. Bottom line never again.-Rob Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012 Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise! | |||
|
| one of us |
If you do this what do you do to the bolt, follower, bottom metal etc? | |||
|
| one of us |
Mike, You have two Mauser actions to start with, you have to lengthen everything by welding the parts together..It's a practice in futility from a financial standpoint IMO, unless your really handy and if your that handy you could make a lot of money in that same amount of time doing something else..Most really good smiths like D'Arcy will just buy a big action to start with and they still have to do a lot of work on that one.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
|
| one of us |
I had one Henry Cheatham had done and it was beautiful. He was a master craftsman. Shot great too. Someone else wanted it and Henry died before he could do another. I saw a little SAKO he had shortened just for fun. It was a gem! Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing. | |||
|
| one of us |
Zimbabwe That article was what got me thinking about this... Mr. Reid made it look pretty straight forward, but there was a TON of cleanup work. He Tig-welded the action that he shortened, the gas welding shown in the photo was only done to fill in the lettering that remained from the Winchester logo. I hate to correct you, but I don't want those who have not seen the article to think it was a Bubba-job. It looked very nice. I saw Mr. Reid's phone number on a gunsmithing site this week. I am surprised that he is retired because he looked so young in those photos. But, the book is undated and may be older than I thought. Jason Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
|
| One of Us |
There is nothing inherently BAD about gas welding just hotter than inert gas welding and not as clean. Used TIG extesively on aluminum tire molds when I worked in the tire industry and understand it's properties. Last I knew of Joe here in Tucson was at a shop here. I think the last job he did for me was to replace the bolt handle on a 416 Rigby Ruger RSM with a longer straight handle. He gas welded it and was well known for his expertise with an acetylene torch. He also fluted a 308 barrel on a Model 70 Varminter among manyother small jobs he did for me. I was not aware he was still in the business. I believe the article was in the 80's. He also did a bolt handle for me on a 35 Whelen Model 54. It too was gas welded. Most shops I would imagine would have a hard time justifying the price of a TIG machine for the small amount of welding they do. SCI Life Member NRA Patron Life Member DRSS | |||
|
| new member |
I don't think this would be cost effective. Might be cheaper to simply buy the rifle you want. This is true about 95% of the time, by the way. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Making a magnum Mauser
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia