I've got a Charles Daly Mini-Mauser on the way but won't have it in hand for a while to measure. What length cartridge will the magazine accommodate? It is a Model 85 and should have a standard .473 bolt face. It will be my 8 yr old daughter's first deer rifle and I want to start thinking about suitable calibers. I'd like to have 30-30 energy levels or better. I hand load and wildcats are not out of the question. Off the top of my head, I think if a .300 Savage would fit, that may be optimal. Load down to 30-30 (or less) to start with and raise to near .308 Win levels as she can handle it. Tons of excellent bullets from 115 gr to 150 gr. If that is too long then maybe a .30 BR or something on a necked up 250 savage. Open to suggestions as soon as I know the mag length.

All calibers are 58.3mm(2.295 in) according to Zastava.

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=244

Maybe a 6mmBR or 30 BR? A smaller bolt face could use 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, PPC cartridges, or 6.8 SPC.

Bruce

None of the chamberings shown for the M85 use a .473" bolt face.

7mm br.

Mini

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
None of the chamberings shown for the M85 use a .473" bolt face.

Interesting, because I have a picture of th box the action was shipped in from the factory and it says cal. 22-250, which has a .473 diameter head.

quote:

Originally posted by richj:
7mm br.

Mini

Looks like a BR based case it shall be.

Rich,
That's a nice bottom metal in your link, what compelled you to have it done? The stock floorplate seems pretty servicable. 7BR is definitely doable, though I was thinking .30 BR because I have an extra 13 twist Kreiger Palma barrel to donate to the project. As a .308win, that barrel shoots groups half the size of your picture so I would have high hopes for it. How does the BR case feed from the mag? Any mods required?
Greg

May be that the chamberings listed are the current offerings, the 22-250 (and others) may have been discontinued.

greg

I haven't touched the rails and it feed just OK. Gotta finesse the bolt a little. That was my first target at 100 yds with the handloads.

Rich

The 7mm BR or 30 BR would be great, but you might also consider the 6.5 BR. That would still have enough knock-down power for deer and would be very light kicking for little kid. A nice thing about the 7mm BR is that brass is available.

I'm currently building a 6.8 SPC. Barnes makes a 85gr. triple shock. Factory loading for that bullet is 2900 out of a 16" bbl. 3+1 in the a shortened box.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
None of the chamberings shown for the M85 use a .473" bolt face.

The Zastava site shows both 22-250 chambering and 12.2mm (0.480) bolt face.

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=244

Bruce

I also believe the 6.8 SPC is a natural for the mini-Mauser action. It will be a superb Deer rifle.

You are correct John. I built one off a 7.62x39 and rechambered it to 270x39 Improved. Same as a 270PPC. It is a very accurate cartridge and virtually no recoil.
Butch

when my son was a bit younger and smaller i built a 6.8 spc on a left handed mini mauser for him. made a nice light rifle fully capable of killing deer. the ammo fit the mag box and it fed well with minimal work.

I was thinking it would make a dandy little walking around rifle for the hills around where I live.

Now then, if I can just muster enough gumption to do a little walking around. Hehe

6.5 BR YEAH!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by bcp:

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
None of the chamberings shown for the M85 use a .473" bolt face.

The Zastava site shows both 22-250 chambering and 12.2mm (0.480) bolt face.

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=244

Bruce

Missed it, bigger than shit!

quote:

Originally posted by Scrollcutter:
I'm currently building a 6.8 SPC. Barnes makes a 85gr. triple shock. Factory loading for that bullet is 2900 out of a 16" bbl. 3+1 in the a shortened box.

I would have done a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel if it had the smaller bolt face, but I think the 30 BR makes the most sense for what I have. I've got a great 30 cal barrel already and I can load it down or up as needed. Tons of hunting bullets that will work in the right velocity ranges too. I really think that practicing with cast bullets and light loads will help as well.

Any suggestions for barrel length? In the interest of keeping it light and keeping the muzzle blast out farther, I was thinking 19-20" and about .550" at the muzzle.

My Grandson's 30BR is 22" and is a 16 twist barrel.
Butch

I have a Left-Handed Mini-Mauser (Zastava) in .22-250 Remington.

The 20" pencil thin barrel not only < than accurate but heats up to scalding hot after 3 shots and the muzzle blast is a real Wake-Up Call in the current chambering. Net, not particularly practical the way it is.

As a reloader; the way the action & magazine are set up for cartridge OAL - is; well, let's call it "inflexible". There's just no play for seating bullets other than short.

I'm positive any good Gunsmith could open it up a touch/tad for a 250 Savage or even a 300 Savage but that would require a new or modified magazine as it is currently too short.

It's been sitting in the Dark Realms of the Gun Safe awaiting another destiny .....

quote:

I also believe the 6.8 SPC is a natural for the mini-Mauser action. It will be a superb Deer rifle.

The .473" bolt face is gonna have to be re-worked but I'm pretty sure it's gonna, like others above have noted; get a re-birth in 6.8 SPC - like richj's above with a similar Fluted barrel and @ 22" - ought to be about right IMO.