15 yrs ago, maybe more, we were getting Mausers for sale out of Big 5 stores. I purchased a "Turk" for $50. It needed some cleaning up.

Then Big 5 had a sale on M-48 Mausers. Czech, or BRNO, or something, short bbl. bent bolt, reconditioned or seemingly "new."

Sold the Turk to a buddy, bought a 38/22 Mauser, decent shape, straight, nice bore. I think it belonged to the cook -- never fired, never out in the trenches.

8 mm ammo was selling at $89 a case of 1,000. Equadoran, circa 1950's, cardboard boxes showed water stains. But we were shooting stumps at 700 yds, iron sights off the bench.

9 cents a shot.

Besides which, the Mauser design is beautiful.

Walnut furniture, Mauser action and about $50 per gun. I have two. I'm not giving them up any time soon!

I'm with you!
I have been shooting mausers of one sort or another for 45+ years because they are cheap.
7mm sporterized at K-mart $39.95 ammo $7.00 per 100 in the 1960's or 10's to the $50 dollar Turks and .05 cent ammo a few years ago.

Mauser bolt action, German engineering, walnut stock, and military history . . .

Besides a really big bang for not a whole lot of money!