swifter220,
I have several of those, but will not build a long range rifle out of one.

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
swifter220,
I have several of those, but will not build a long range rifle out of one.

Well said Butch.

Wow, I didn't read he whole thread. Gotta agree with you guys; I wouldn't start with a Mauser any more than a No.1.

Butch,
I have several pre 64’s and several FN’s and one Sako L61 they are all tack drivers. They all have Shilen barrels on them and Canjar or Timney triggers. They are all super accurate and I enjoy hunting with them. Oh, I did forget, one old Rugger seventy seven, tang safety in the swift which I have won numerous five dollar bills with and has accounted for more coyote fur then I can remember.

With all that being said, I totally agree that if I were going to build a rifle for match shooting, it would not be a CRF type action. I am sorry but they were not made for the kind of accuracy we see today. They were made for war or hunting, not match shooting. I have got more money then I want to even think about in my rifles and they probably won’t bring what I have in them if I wanted to sell them.


So I hope that WW will take a second look at what folks are trying to say and save himself some, well quite a bit of money and start with a better foundation for match shooting. If he does go with the VZ, I wish him luck.

forgot to mention that if it was me building on a VZ action it would be the 6.5X284 Norma.

I would do a 284 Win, but in your case stick with the 30-06. People who can shoot high scores with a Mauser and be competitive, become world champions and the "one to beat" with a better action. Good shooting is about practice, practice makes "perfect". So barrel the VZ, wear out a the barrel developing the technique. Holding the rifle steady for that extra 3-4 MS will make you better. Just keep your chin up if you shoot in matches and are not in the top five. If you are, either you are pretty good or you need to find a better class of shooters to compete against.

Dear Wonderwolf:

I built a 6.5-06 on a Brno WW-I Mauser action using a Douglas #2 SS Air Gauged barrel. It shot quite well out to 300 yards.

Nevertheless, the 6.5-06 like the 6.5-284 is pretty hot for the 6.5 mm bore, and the little bit of research that I've done on 1000 yard shoots, is that the boys are moving to 7 mm, the original 284 Winchester being a winner.

I'm thinking about building a 7x57 AI with a #4 Lilja SS barrel for varmints on a 1908 Brazilian Mauser. Sure, I've shot tack driver old Model 700's and older Sako's in 243 Winchester, 6.5x55 SM and 30-06. Hell, one of the most accurate rifles that I've ever owned was a rattle trap Mark X Mauser in 270 Winchester. It was almost a five shot 0.5" shooter at 100 yards.

Hey, why not find out how good you can be with that Mauser action. I'd use the venerable 30-06, since the 6.5-06, if you over do it will burn that throat out pretty quickly.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that an older Model 700 would spec. out better than a Mauser, but you can get a titanium tipped Mauser firing pin and a heavier spring that should knock that lock time down a lot.

I've used the aftermarket heavier springs with a standard firing pin, and the bolt lift is a bit of pain in the ass. A Model 700 receiver and cocking piece have more gradual cams, and they are easier to open.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Shop around for a remmy 700 long action rifle, keep the action and sell the rest. Figure out what brand bbl you want. Chamber in 30-06 and shoot 175 grain sierras. Get a good composit stock like the old winchester marksman, there are any number of aftermarket triggers out there. Scopes and bases but get something good. No junk you'll pay for it twice.Get on some of the long range forums and see what they are shooting with and most important what they are winning with. Hope this helps. Frank

Finally a range report. Shot matches yesterday 60 rounds for record at 1000 yards with the VZ-24 in 6.5/06, using Red field sights. Ended up having to make a front sight base riser for the rifle as I was not satisfied with anything else out there. Ended up holding well.....

All I can say is I think you guys who were heavily opinionated against the Mauser need to reconsider your tact esp when it comes to new shooters who don't have a lot of money, I mean come I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to buy 22mm front sights to shoot because my front sight base I designed and machined I was told would never work. Guy next to me had a $600 front sight fall off during a string, Mine hasn't moved. BTW the guy next to me had more money in his front sight than I did in my whole rifle (sans sights...I use the same sights for several guns) The action is not a main concern so long as it is a quality lock up. Bedding was good on this action, With the help of my mentor we chambered and tapered a quality barrel (Shilen) and I made apporpriate modifications as I saw fit. Now the stock needs more work. A cheek riser is needed that extends forward but allowes the bolt to come back enough to allow the empty to either eject or be picked out. But I made a temporary modification with a M1 Garand cheek rest....wet leather and facial hair and 60 rounds made for a rug burn on your cheek.


I Shot a Master class score 188-3x in the last match, I had a pair of 7's out the left that I think might have been because the rifle was not level, so a bubble level may be next the sights are pretty high off the action but I can't help that now. I plan on shooting this rifle again at nationals and I plan on adding 10 points to that score as even I knew I had some fundamental position problems during the string, So come around and look for the 20 something guy in the green and tan high power jacket and the green stocked rifle shooting 6.5/06 on the Mauser action if you want to discuss this any more. The Mauser is not the best out there but its what I have and its what I'm using...and a Master and expert class score on the first time out with the rifle is not bad. My 2nd match was a 176, I have severe wrist pain in the support hand and I had a muscle spasm right as I put the last oz on the trigger.

Thanks for the report! Keep us informed on how you place in your matches!

WW
I am a Mauser guy but I don't do the long range shoot as my range is just now working on making a 200 yd range.

Bean town, the one in west central Ohio, if so do you use the range by the airport?

Rad

quote:

Originally posted by HerrMesser:
WW
I am a Mauser guy but I don't do the long range shoot as my range is just now working on making a 200 yd range.

Bean town, the one in west central Ohio, if so do you use the range by the airport?


Rad

Yes I do....prolly seen me out there time or two if you're out there much.

Chamber your Mauser in 6.5-06 and prove it to be viable.

Thanks to everybody who PM'd me their thoughts and support telling me to just ignore the naysayers. Turns out I got 1st place in my class for the match, Placed well enough to get money. See you at nationals!

Wonderwolf, way to go!!!!!. Keep up the good work. Frank

A gifted shooter with average equipment will always out shoot an average shooter that is using the best equipment.

Keep shooting and enjoy yourself.

Jerry Jacques, Alaska Master Guide #110, wwwBristol-bay.com