Just picked up a beautiful 1909 Argentine Mauser barreled action which has had a lot of work done to it already. Only problem is the Shilen barrel is chambered for .308 Norma Mag, a cartridge which I have little to no interest in at this point. What cases would I be able to rechamber this barrel to? 300 Weatherby by chance? I`m seriously thinking about rebarreling to something like 35 Whelen or 340 Weatherby, or maybe .257 Roberts, or 338-06, or 22-250, or 280, or 7mm RM or.......the list is endless. This caliber just doesn`t do anything for me. I just fell in love with the action, not the caliber. Thanks in advance.

hoss,
The 308 Normal is the balistic twin of the 30-338. If you will take the time to check them out, you'll find that they have a reputation of being one of the most efficient, most accurate 30 magnums ever made. With a premium barrel and a good mauser action, you rifle ought to be shooting half-inch groups and be able to handle anything you'll run into the the 48+Alaska.

Do what you want, but you've got a real prize. Ku-dude

This is an excellent caliber. Give it a chance.

The answer to the question is in the feed rails and magizine length and width.Rebarreling the easy choices are Weatherby shorts,.264 WinMag,7mmRM, .338WinMag.,or .358 Norma.

Hoss101,

The feed rails were modified to allow the action to feed the belted magnum and since it is easier to remove metal than to put it back on, well, safely anyway, you are probably going to have to stick to a magnum case...

Malm

Hoss,
I agree with the others, this is an excellent caliber. Where you are, the 358 Norma wouldn't be bad either. Two things:
1) Let me know if you want to sell the 308 barrel (e-mail me)
2) Consider having that action re-case hardened -- relatively cheap -- contact me off-line if you need info. I will never again omit this step when building a modern chambering on an old action.

Good luck,
Todd

BTW,

I would also encourage you to forget any of the longer i.e. 3.6" OAL cartridges in a standard Mauser; expensive additional modificatons, can compromise the original design.

What about a 9.3x64? That may feed ok, even with the rail modifications already made.

Todd

It`s not that I don`t like the .308 Norma, it`s just that I need other things more right now. I have a .223, a .243, a 25-06, a 30-06, a .300 Win Mag, just sold my .338, and a .375 H&H. Not a lot by most standards, but I think I`m pretty well covered. I only sold the .338 to buy the Ruger .375, but I really feel like something`s missing in my lineup now. Would the .340 Weatherby work in this action or would .338 be better?. This is just a great action, smoothest Mauser I`ve ever felt, new bolt handle done properly (checkered even), Beuhler safety (which will be replaced someday with a Mod 70 type), new bottom metal. It does need a new trigger, which is pretty easy, but just about everything else has been done already. I only paid $180 for the barreled action, so I think I got a pretty good deal.

The 338 Win Mag would be the caliber of choice in the 33 bullet size. Opening up the 98 Mauser to full magnum length (ie: 340 Wby, 375 H & H, etc.) opens up a can of worms. If it were mine, and I decided to change from the 308 Norma (great cartridge, by the way, I sure like mine), I would go with the 358 Norma Mag. As long as you're going to be making bigger holes anyway, a 35 is better then a 33. On the other hand, if you're not into reloading, the 338 is the better choice. FWIW - Dan

How about .257 Weatherby?

Just so I can be the first one to say it: 416 Taylor.

.416 Taylor.....tell me more! Will that work? I haven`t paid much attention, but I kind of thought that that was something like the 06 case necked up. That just might be what I`m looking for.

The 416 Taylor is essentially the 338 necked up. It is a good fit in the Mauser and since you don't appear to have one it is the logical choice! Regards, Bill.

I think I`ve found what I`m looking for Now, how about a barrel suggestion....and a stock, preferably plastic. Just about all my rifles are plastic stocked, the exception being the Ruger .375, which is almost too pretty to take to the field. What twist for the barrel?

Question number 1: Pacnor www.pac-nor.com -
their standard barrel long-chambered for the taylor will run you $225. Adams & Bennet short-chambered for $99 (not a very sexy profile, otherwise they're ok).

Question number 2: I don't own one, but I like the looks of the Bell and Carlson classic stocks -- cheekpiece, well set-up for righties, aluminum bedding block.

Although this rifle really needs a nice walnut stock

And don't forget, if'n you don't want that 308 barrel...

Edited / Added:
A little more about the Taylor -- 458 WM necked down to 416; must 'roll your own.' Dies easily available from RCBS, headstamped brass from Quality Cartridge et al. You will fit three in the magazine just like any other belted mag, unless you got custom metal for belted mags. I can close the bolt on a 4th in mine, which is built on a VZ-24 with modified Argentine bottom metal. Essentially duplicates the original 416 Rigby loading (400gr/2350 fps) at the higher operating pressures of the Win. belted mags; don't imagine you'll have much problem with high pressures in the sweltering heat of Alaska. Cheap to shoot too, with a box of 50 Hornady 400 gr RN softs for $24.99 at Cabela's.

[ 11-24-2002, 23:28: Message edited by: Todd Getzen ]

Hoss,

You could also turn this action into the twin of Harald Wolf's Jungle Carbine.

http://www.serveroptions.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005224#000000

Scroll down to the photo. This is a way cool rifle

.416 Taylor of .458 Win Mag will work for caliber, depending on whether you want a wildcat or a factory chambering.

jim dodd

I just changed my profile to show that I`m not in Alaska anymore, but have moved to South Hell...I mean South Dakota. This is my last move for the USAF, after retirement in 2 years we will be moving back to Alaska.

[ 11-24-2002, 23:52: Message edited by: hoss101 ]

You said you wanted a 300 Win Mag...well set the 308 Norma barrel back a tad and rechamber to 300 win mag...cheap solution.

Personally though I'm with the 416 Taylor crowd....I have a FN98 35 Whelen that will eventually become a Taylor.

Craig

Brisbane Australia

Hoss101,
As configured the list is not endless as you said. The bolt face has been opened up for a magnum cartridge and without either bushing the bolt or changing it, the "257 Roberts, or 338-06, or 22-250, or 280" is not an option, including the 9.3X64.

I think the best option open to you (well the second best - first is leaving it alone) is to rebarrel to a .358 Norma Mag. It is probably one of the most underrated rounds we have. It will take anything with authority in North America. Eats a .35 Whelens lunch and kicks dirt on it's shoes.

CustomStox

quote:

---

Eats a .35 Whelens lunch and kicks dirt on it's shoes.

---

Yep it shure do

Would you consider trading? Lot's cheaper than what you are talking about?

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I`ll go ahead and stock it, and see how it shoots as is. I could use some recommendations on synthetic stocks for Mausers, nothing too cheap, but nothing too expensive either.

Thanks again,
Rob

Rob,

Look at the Bell and Carlson stocks -- they have a standard model without cheek piece, and a classic model with cheek piece and aluminum bedding block. 1st one is about $140 from MidwayUSA, the other about $200, from Midway or Brownells.

Todd

Hoss, you ought to look into a Boyds Laminate stock. It would really enhance the looks of the bbl. action and they can be had for around $100. I'm not sure of the link but I think they can be found under Boydboys.com. Good looking stock in the Jon Sundra Classic style.

PS. I just checked the web site for boydboys.com, if you order on line from them direct the stock would cost you $98.96 plus shipping. (they are offering a 25% discount for direct orders.)

[ 11-27-2002, 07:34: Message edited by: ol crip ]