I'm thinking about getting a Swedish M96 mauser, in 6.5x55. The condition is listed as "Very Good", with about 50-60% blueing. Bores are listed as "good" and no pitting. $200

Does this sound like a good deal? Does the condition sound worn out? (I've never had a gun with that little blueing on it...)

Also, what is the difference in a M96 mauser and a M98 mauser?

Also, how do the ballistics of 6.5x55 compare to other calibers?

Thanks for any help,
Dave

"Very Good" should be about 95% blueing. I've never seen a Swede with only 50-60%.

For a Swede that is not all that bad. You must remember, the Swedes were very anal about their bores. What they considered a "3" and almost ready for replacement look almost new to most people. If the rifle is all matching, and there are about 17 parts that are numbers, most you can see, then $200 is not bad at all. Do not expect the cleaning rod to match, that is extremely rare. Numbered parts are receiver, forward barrel band, rear barrel band, rear sight, rear sight blade housing, floor plate, butt plate, safety, bolt shroud, bolt, ejector housing/bolt release, firing pin, magazine box, cleaning rod, upper hand guard (inside), stock (under the barrel) and a couple of other places. Go to this link and search and you can find out a lot more about the 96: 96 Swede

Also, if you can read the stock disk do that. Bore condition is rated, no mark new, and stamp over 1-3 with 3 being the worst, but as I said before, 3 is mighty darned good. Also, the bore is sized. There will be a stamp over the last number relating to bore size, just as there is a stamp over the number relating to bore condition: 1 to 3. Then there is the sight in mark-overslag?. No mark is sighted in for 100 meters. If marked +1 or +2 that means it that much high at 100 meters.
Carl Gustaff are very common, but Oberdorf and Husqvarna are more rare and seem to bring a slight premium. Also, if there is a trajectory paper glued to the stock or a metal trajectory plate nailed to the stock you have a real find and jump on it for $200.

The 96 is slightly smaller than the 98 and cocks on closing. Most of the ones I have heard of are extremely accurate. I know mine is and is a real joy to shoot. Low recoil and accurate as the day is long. Also, if you get one, do not bubba it. You will forever be banned from any C&R site They are too fine a shooter to mess with them and you will destroy their value.
That's all I can think to tell you. Go to the above link and read up. Lots of great information there.

I have a number of these M96 and M38 rifles. The M38 is a shorter barreled version (approx 24" barrel) of the M96. Some were cut down from the M96 and some were purpose built by Huskvarna in that configuration. The M96B has been modified slightly with the addition of a threaded section at the muzzel, for attachment of a "blank" firing device, which breaks up the wooden "blank" bullets.

Some of he really old weapons, such as the 1899 mfg Oberndorfs and Carl Gustavs that I have had were a bit thin on the bluing, but still had fine bores and were good shooters. Fitted with target sights such as the Soderin, these can be one of the most accurate military rifles built.

Probably the best milsurp you can own.



My two concessions were that I found a better Swedish Mauser stock, and swapped that out, and I put Mojo sights on mine... old eyes can't really see the rear sight anymore.



Net result: 2800 fps with a 140 grain pill (29" bbl), and 2" groups with iron sights at 100 yards. It's an absolute delight to shoot, and many users report that it is more effective on game that the paper ballistics would indicate.

See If you can get the price down a bit. Unless it is a auction or you are buying it wholesale then there is not much talk down. About a three years ago I bought a absolutly perfect rifle. With only very slight handling marks. For around 260$. I' not sure exactly the how much to reduce the price for the bluing. Maybe I got a deal. Like I said in another thread was my first and one of my favorite guns. I love the lines of these sleek rifles. Don't shoot this rifle much anymore keeping it for a collecting piece. I now have a M38 with about 50 -60% of it blue I paid around 190$. It came with a scope. bent bolt,and wing safty. So I don't know if I was paying for the gun or the modifications. Don't know how much this helps, but it is the experience I have buying these rifles. LLB

Major; would you consider selling me one? I missed out on the 96 run and would really like one.

Good luck and good shooting,

Eterry

I have three of the old M96's from 1900,1907 and 1917. My first winter in Canada floored me with its
length and severity. I purchased an old M96 at a gun show and made a winter project of refinishing it.
I wanted to restore the rifle, not sporterize it. I took my time filing the nicks and sanding out the stock.
It finished beautifully. The real surprise came in the spring when I took the rifle to the range. What a
shooter! That was the first of three. It really makes the winters fly by. I followed that up by buying a
Remington Classic in 6.5x55. I developed an affinity for those old Swedish mausers. It's the only military
surplus rifles I've had any luck with. The German M98's were mostly over used to two wars, and the
majority of them show it badly. Ditto for the Brits .303SMLE. You might get the odd good one. The
Swedes however were able to care for their rifles. Most, even today, ae in good shape. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Yo won't be dissapointed in a Swede. I've a had 6 and all were good shooters. I have a M38 sporter and two M96's and any one of them will shoot better than I can. As to killing power, I had to drop a 1200# bull with one and took him out with a brain shot at 50-60 yds. The bullet was recovered in the chest and retained 80% of the weight after going through 3 1/2 feet of crittur. I sold my 270.

I got a 96 Swede Gustav all matching in walnut for $100 at a gun show 4 years ago. I bent the bolt, drilled, tapped, and put a scope on it. I shot it.

I got a '38 Swede Husq all matching in birch for $135 [looks unfired] at a gun show 2 years ago. I have not shot it yet.

Of all the guns I buy, the Swedish guns make me very happy I got them.