My M98 .404 J weigh's in at around 8.5 pounds and I would not want it any lighter but love the way it is at that weight..............................I must be a whimp

Yeah the 6.5 is substantial, but it is what I was looking for. I plan on building another larger bore rifle on the same barrel length and profile. I will use a 9.3 or larger caliber. I am not sure I need a 40 cal, but certainly want one. I am thinking the 9.3X70 Magnum fits my needs/wildcat nature in a former factory loading.

I will post pictures to let you know how it looks when the 6.5 is done. It is intended to resemble a 1920s express rifle.

With a 9.3 x 70 you might be wanting a bit more weight. Time will tell, but it will likely perform at both ends like a 375 Weatherby.

LD

ForestB, in response to your statement
b404, I'm trying to put together a "light" 416 Rigby, but my target is 9.5 lbs. 7.5 lbs in a big bore I think falls into the ultra-light catagory - I get a twitch just thinking about it.
I have owned a 404 Jeffery by Jeffery that weighed in at under 8 lbs. I wanted to scope it despirately, but as you know drilling on any original English rifle will kill the value. That is why I will not buy original stuff anymore as I have a short LOP, 13.5 on shotguns, 13.25 on rifles unless the grip sweeps properly where I can use a 14"LOP. Anyway, my point is that Mauser made many A and B rifles weighing 7-8 lbs an they worked just fine. The Rigby with its larger action might weigh a pound more. My whole point is that Mauser actually made smaller diameter barrels for rifles than the current crop of gunsmiths are willing to do. I can't tell you how many times I have actually measured the outside deminsions of a rifle at Champlins and sent those very numbers to a maker to duplicate the barrel and they will not do it due to "liability" issues. Davenport won't and I buy 3-4 rifles a year from him and he will just about do anything I ask of him.

There's a a commercial Mauser in 9.3X62 for sale now at Gander Mountain in Houston that has a pencil-thin barrel and probably weighs 6.5 lbs. The entire rifle is long, thin and light.

It's styled just like those you favor. I'd have bought it except the front clawmount is dovetailed into the receiver ring. Your right that no barrel company would make a barrel that light anymore - even for a 9.3X62

quote:

Your right that no barrel company would make a barrel that light anymore - even for a 9.3X62

Since my barrel ends at .625, I got questioned on if I really wanted that thick of a barrel in a 6.5, but it really is what I am looking for.

Just making Mauser parts here. keeping that spindle going round and round and up and down.
All ahead full throttle, baby.
Timan