If you were going to build a "custom gun" on a 98 mauser action-something for punching paper and Varmits at extended distances, what would you build?

I am thinking a 22-250 with a 26 inch douglas barrel and some sort of thumb hole stock with a good 6-20 scope on top.

Dave

Dave-My sentiments pretty much parallel yours. But, I might consider the 22-250 IMP instead and fit the rifle with a 1:8 barrel for those occasions when launching something like the 75 grain A-Max tickled my fancy. And, I'd make the scope a Nikon Monarch....

Just my .02,
Bobby

I have a Brazilian 1908 based 22-250 that works OK. I think that the 98 action is a little long for optimal feeding of 22-250 length cartridges, unless you block the magazine. I'm going to pull the 22-250 barrel and replace it with a 257AI barrel to produce a more "all-around" rifle/cartridge combination. There's nothing wrong with poking holes in paper and varmints with 75 grain Sierra BTHPs or Hornady VMax.

Jeff

If you want something really classic, make it a Swift. It is still the ultimate 22 Varminter, and with modern barrels and powders, there is no real problem with erosion.

I have built two 22-250 rifles on Mauser actions and though a bit long the tapered case fed well. Both were heavy barreled rifles and plenty accurate. I feel that it might be impossible to build a 222 ona standard manuser action.

quote:

I feel that it might be impossible to build a 222 ona standard manuser action.

Not at all.....it's been done

Read Modern Gunsmithing by McFarland

quote:

f you were going to build a "custom gun" on a 98 mauser action-something for punching paper and Varmits at extended distances, what would you build?

Two thoughts....
1. Id not use a Mauser, I'd find a short action Remington 700 and make it a single shot so I could shoot long shells like the .25-06 in the short action.

2. for long range I'd prefer a somewhat larger caliber.........a .25-06 possibly or a 6.5-06

In either case when you're done building it you'll have three times the cash invested and it won't outshoot today's off the shelf Savage varmint rifles.

I'm with Vapodog on this. Use the Mauser for something else, and a Rem 700 action for your project.

I have thoughts outside the mainstream regarding varmint rigs, but FWIW:

.223 class cartridges(.204/.222/.222Mag/.223 etc) are mostly all you need for 200-maybe 400 yards on PDs, and closer on 'yotes. The .22-250 and other high capacity .22s have greater range and accomplish more with the longer bullets, but they are harder on barrel life. With all of that effort you gain little if anything over larger bore varminters, and rather that jump thru the hoops why not just shoot the 1/4 bores, or the 6mm and 6.5mm if you like. None are suitable for high volume fire but they handle long range easier and cheaper than the turbocharged .22s. JMO.

Well
6mm rem or 6,5X57 would fit nicely in mauser action.

6,5X57 with 85-100 grain bullet will be do fine for varmints

DigitalDan wrote: "I'm with Vapodog on this. Use the Mauser for something else, and a Rem 700 action for your project."

Hmmmm....I must be missing something here. The custom Mausers I've handled over the years (and the few I've owned) that shot so beautifully and fed so reliably must have been absolute flukes.

Next time, I'll know better: I will chunk the Mauser action and maybe use it for a doorstop --and shell out extra $$$ for a Remmy action before embarking on any custom project.

quote:

Hmmmm....I must be missing something here. The custom Mausers I've handled over the years (and the few I've owned) that shot so beautifully and fed so reliably must have been absolute flukes.

I wasn't clear on my post I suppose, so I'll try to redeem myself before your baleful glare. There's nothing wrong with a Mauser action whatsoever. I revere them, and think they serve a higher purpose than punching paper and shooting varmints. They are rightfully the stuff of legends, the thing you pass down in your older years. I whisper sweet nothings to my Oberndorf each night before I go to bed.

I guess what I'm saying is that I would do something worthy of the Mauser, and use the Remmy for this'n that, odds and ends. Maybe clean it every year of so as well. I think they are easier to work on from an accuracy perspective than Mauser actions but that is likely their primary benefit.

Hope that clears the air. I like the idea above about the 6.5 wildcat though, it would do just dandy for a dual purpose rifle..even in a Mauser.

I have a hunted down over a thousand chucks with a 222R. The main reason for using it was it was all that I had besides a 30-06 and the 222 makes much less noise and richocets.

The little 222 was the cat's meow back in the 50's until Golden State arms started barreling Mausers with long 22-250 barrels and selling a complete stocked rifle for $55. One of my buddies got one and sure enough there was a long shot, maybe beyond 250 yds, and it was my turn. My buddy said "here use my gun"! That did it. I no longer had the cat's meow.

Now you can load them down but you can't load them up. The 22-250 has thinner case walls than the Swift and will seal well on light loads. It will do what a Hornet, 222 or almost a Swift will do.

Ask for a discussion on what twist to get. While the standard is 1-14" there are some longer bullets now.

As for myself I like the Swift and 243 for long range varmints.

Digital Dan-Thanks for clearning that up. I did assume you were implying inferiority of the Mauser action as compared to the Remington. Sorry about that...

There have been posts in the past that basically referred to anything built on a Mauser as third-class junk. And we know that's simply not the case.

lubbockdave--I read in another thread you have two daughters you hope will become shooters and you listed some of the guns you already have. Make it a .222 those girls will love it--it also fills the voids you have more so than the others. BTW have any sons playing football? I have a grandson that will be playing against Lubbock Monterey on 10/20 and Here against Lubbock Coronado on 11/3.