Also at Samco, you can see '96 Mausers chambered in 270 for sale.
The action is strong enough for any Mauser case head cartridge, but the gas routing is not as good as a '98 Mauser.

Hi trev
the swedish action will be fine for a cartridge like the 6.5x55 or 7x57 , what are you going to use it for?
Regards
Pete

I've come across a mauser 96 action in moderately rusty condition. I've managed to unscrew the barrel and descale the rusty bits and I think I can clean it up to a reasonable standard on the outside.(maybe not as new but OK for what I expect) The inside has come up quite good, I've seen a lot worse in gunshops for sale.
There is little noticable setback in the locking lug area - only a (estimated) .002" ridge where the end of the lug travels.
Is it worth the effort to build a rifle in 6.5 out of again?
I'm after a 6.5 so that part suits and I cant afford (at this stage) to buy a rifle just for the action.

I'll probably just use it for local club use and for goats and donkeys.I'm up for a new barrel and a floorplate/magazine parts so it might be cheaper to just buy a 98 action from Lawrence Ordinance @ $265 and be done with it. I think I will stay with 6.5 though , I've already got dies and brass for it.
I'll also be up for a stock as well but Geoff Slee does them at a real good price and a real good job.

You can get a new Sweede millitary barrel from Samco for around $70 It's new, blued 23.5" or 29.5" and covered in cosmoline. capt david

.002 is 2/3 of a sheet of paper...


remember, a 96 doesn't have the safety lug that a 98 does

jeffe

Trev
also have a look at Owen guns website

Ok Trev
Cleaver's ad in the current Australian shooter has a couple of swede barrels for sale and lawrance ord has the bottom metal you will need so get out your calculator and see if it adds up.A stock from Geoff Slee is about the best value around

I've had a real good look now that it is cleaned up properly, its not even 0.002" in the lug recess. Its more a case of the wear taking the tops off the machining marks.
As for the third safety lug, nor does my Howa 243 ( there is a little bit of metal behind the bolt handle but nothing like the '98).
I'll look into Cleaver firearms and Owen Guns , but with Owens , their website usually very accurate on their stock. I've rung up lots of times asking about something on their website to find they dont actually have it. Cleaver Firearms is pretty good to deal with though. The thing is though, once I've bought all this and the bottom metal, I know it will end up costing more than a good second hand gun anyway, will I end up with a good product?? If it was going to cost a lot more, would I be better off buying a 98 action off Lawrence Ordinance to start with??
I know its my decision in the end, I would like your veiws.

Its a Carl Gustafs 1906.Bolts been bent and it has been tapped for a scope mount.
I've been cleaning it up all morning and the rust pits left in it aren't as bad as the original machining marks.
I've been thinking of 6.5x55 or maybe 7x57

Trev,
sounds normal wear/polishing then....

if you are going to build a low pressure round, and won't hotrod it, then it's a fine action...especially if the price is right for condition.

it's ALWAYS cheaper to start with a winchester if you are going to do "it all".. and it's all most always more fun to start with the mauser.

the 6.5 will work great in a vz if they can be had, btw

jeffe

What the name and date on it? Was it a rebarrel to another caliber?

It would depend on your access to barrels and stocks.

The Swedish 96 actions were probably made of better steel than the Mauser 98s being produced at the same time.

Hi Trev
yes it's your decision and your money.
I built mine because I had the action and I enjoy doing this sort of thing , but my action only cost $35.00 not the rip off price that lawrance charges . imo you can buy an entire rifle for that if you look around and if you want to rebuild it you can sell the unwanted parts on ebay.I sent you an email .
Kind regards
Pete