I really got lucky today. I went in a gun shop on my lunch hour and saw a "beat up" old rifle. I looked at it and saw it was a 1909 Argentino Mauser. Someone rechambered the 7.65 barrel to '06 and whacked the barrel to 22". The action is free of rust and is butter smooth. The price out the door? $95.00. Now what caliber? 404, 9.3X62, or what?

good on YOU!!!

1909 should be a 416 dakota (ducks)... that's a 404 with a .416 barrel... no bullet worries...

if smaller, 35 whelen

jeffe

$95.....and of course it was sold in a heartbeat.....mine is now a .25-06........

Turn that hummer into a .338-06 plains game rifle.....

I am along the lines of Jeff on this one. I have a beautiful 09 action in the safe, must end up big bore. See, the crest is so pretty on those that you have to build a big bore so you can use open sites and leave the crest unblemished by drilling and tapping for scope. Like my logic? :-)

You could also go 416 Taylor (my plan for mine at this point, although mucho futuro). The whelen is a great cartridge, but if done right you need a scope (done right to me means Ackley Improved with a 26" barrel :-)

Red

Ok, I'll hit the books and do the research on the .416. I to hate the thought of covering up that beautiful crest.

just thinking...
i have a 416 rem
i am building a 416 taylor AND a 416 rigby (don't ask)

i should just do the 416 dakota and a m71 win in 416 barnes...

and no, i won't do a 416x450marlin
jeffe

I also have a very nice 1909 Argentine DWM mauser action sitting in my safe. I am thinking 404 Jeffrey for mine with express sights (no scope). I am interested in hearing what you decide to do with yours.

Tim

Some people have all the luck....the last gun shop I walked into on my break a guy had a turk 98 he said was a steal at $150.00. I told him I had bought 2 of them for $49 each. I always seem to buy high and sell low....I should have been a farmer.
That 1909 should be a 35 whelen at least, maybe a 9.3x62, or a 416 taylor.
Good luck and good shooting,
Eterry

since we are on the topic of 09's and such, just wanted to let you see the pics of mine, I am so happy with having it. :-) (although it has been here two years with no changes!)

Pictures of 09

Just click on everything that starts with 09

Red

I have a drawer full of them and they talk to me when I go in my shop. Sometimes the noise can be deafening. They all seem to have an idea what caliber they want to be, but none of them agree so I can't make heads or tails of any of it.

Any cartridge based on the "57" case, ie. 8x57IS, 7x57, 6mm Rem or my personal favorite: .257 Roberts.

The Mausers are just perfect for this case length.
Just my $.02 - mike

Chic,
sorry to hear of your troubles with the confusion.

Tell ya what, I am willing to attempt some usps therapy for you....

bundle up all but ONE of those actions, and ship that bundle to me... When that remaining action finally tells you which caliber it wants to be, go ahead, make it, and write me for the next one...

I'll even work on a contingency basis... every time an action tells you what it wants to be, then and only then do i get "paid"... yep... one action tells you what it wants, and one action goes into jeffe's action's drawer!!!!

Now, I realize this will reduce your available actions by 1/2, but with that many actions, you can't expect to finish em all by yourself...

besides, don't just think of yourself... we'll both make those actions very happy, and reduce the confussion

roflmao
jeffe

Mine 1909 is at David Gentry's right now. It's going to be a 9.3X62 with a L-W 22" barrel, NEGC banded front sight, NEGC 3 leaf express rear sights, barrel band sling swivel, Timney trigger, straight bolt handle and NO SURFACE GRINDING

I also had him install his 3 position safety on it but I'm having secound thoughts about that. I've got a nice F.N. wing safety sitting in the drawer waiting in case it's needed. I'd hate to mess up the classic lines of this rifle and I think the stream lined safety may just do that. If it doesn't look right I've got a Whitworth .375 H&H coming that will need some type of improvement in the safety area.

I hope to get it back before the end end of the year

Terry

[ 12-03-2003, 18:20: Message edited by: TC1 ]

Mine will be a 7x57 with a #1 Lothar Walther barrel, Blackburn trigger, and 3 position PME safety. It is in Chic's loving hands now for stocking.

Jeff

How about a 2.5" 300 RUM, on that same barrel?
Later rebarrel to 416 Howell.

Hack',

The last '09, .30-06 I looked at in a pawn shop had the locking lug seats hammered back about .003-.005. You could feel the ridges when you lifted the bolt and visually observe the bolt to move forward. The difference was this guy wanted $300 for it! You may want to check for that condition before investing too much.

A Williams side mount would prevent defacing the crest and allow open sights. A medium bore "scout" would look good too. How about 9x57?

[ 12-03-2003, 20:34: Message edited by: Bobster ]

Chic can I just tell you that you are a cruel man! Don't think I've seen that many '09s in all of the shops I've been in in the past 10 years! I had to settle for Turks to start on.

The 416 would be nice but I'm a recoil whimp. I'd say go for a 35 Whelen or a 9.3x62.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hacksawtom:
"Now what caliber?" 7mmX57 w/ 20" barrel Pistol scope (scout)Won't cover crest. Try it. you'll like it. roger