I have a number of Mauser actions I want worked up into custom rifle actions. I really don't want to spend the money a guild member metalsmith might want for that work but would like and would pay for a very good job. What are my options?

What is your definition of a really good job? I don't mean to be a smart alleck, but to make a nice rifle out of a mauser, you are going to have to plunk down some money to get the work done right. It tekes time and skill to do what's required to make a fine custom gun from a mauser. Discount smiths can many times cost you alot more then getting someone good to do the work right the first time.

My personal thought is that I wouldn't be happy with a wood stocked custom mauser that cost less than $5k, and most of that money would be tied up in the stock. I could get a rather nice utility custom stainless plastic gun on an M-70 for about 1/2 that.

LB, the problem you are going to run into is that you have so many extremely nice rifles including Mausers that unless you spend a lot more than it's worth to convert the Military Mausers into something you'd enjoy owning I doubt you will be happy with them. What are you really wanting to turn them into? Maybe you could fund a semester or two at a gunsmithing school............DJ

LB...
a "number" can get to become a money pit QUICK

if you are a fair hand at stocking, and have a local smith you trust from barrel, feeding, and other metal work, you can "get by" for about 1500 a rifle, for a working rifle.

If you want really nice pieces, well, i'll let you into a nasty little secret...

sell that number of actions off...

take what you get, and WAIT but snatch up used sporters for about 1/2 of what you would have to pay for them today.

jeffe

Talk to Norm at http://heritagecustomarms.com/index.html

You supply the action, he trues it up, probably would supply everything including a B&C stock or Boyds laminate and a KG Gunkote finish for around $700-800. He built my .275 Rigby on a VZ24 action (and a 7x64) a couple or years ago and does a very good job for the money.

This is the 7x64 he fit for me.


The .275 Rigby.

quote:

ridding the world of 7mm rem mags

Why in the World would you want to do that? The 7mm Rem mag is the finest all purpose cartridge ever made!

LB, I do lots of mauser builds, and I live about 60 miles south of you. If you are interested, get in touch with me via PM. I am running about 6 to 9 months behind on custom rifles right now, I have a few about to go out for heat treat next week. So I should be getting started grinding on a few more in the next week or two.

Chad

Let me clarify a few things. I know that converting is expensive. Guild members get anywhere from 2-10k for metal work. Tom burgess quoted 5K for working an action and reworked bottom metal. I am not talking about doing the whole gun now as I still have about 3 custom rifles in the works as we speak. I just remember a time when one could buy a commercial Orberndorf action for less than $500.00. The really good milsurps from the commercial line in Orberndorf are getting harder to find. I thought I would lay in a stock of actions and in the meanwhile, get some ready for a custom build later. I was looking for a talented metalsmith the surface grind, polish the bolt race, true the action/bolt face, etc. I know it can be done at a more reasonable price. I am looking for such an individual to feed for a while.

I just can't believe that Tom Burgess would charge 5 thousand bucks to true up a mauser action and change the bolt handle and fix up the bottom metal. No way. Maybe $1500 to $2000 but not $5000 for a simple mauser action job.

quote:

Originally posted by browningguy:
Talk to Norm at http://heritagecustomarms.com/index.html

You supply the action, he trues it up, probably would supply everything including a B&C stock or Boyds laminate and a KG Gunkote finish for around $700-800. He built my .275 Rigby on a VZ24 action (and a 7x64) a couple or years ago and does a very good job for the money.

This is the 7x64 he fit for me.


The .275 Rigby.

What kind of barrel do you get for that?? also does it come with that kind of saftey??, nice lookin rifles BTW

My suggestion would be to spread the cost out over time and have it done right. Buy the parts first, bottom metal, rings, bolt handle,barrel etc. Then take the parts and a deposit to a good smith that does these. He'll probably have a waiting list if he's good and that'll give you plenty of time to take care of the rest. I'm in the process of doing this myself. If oyu spread the cost out you'll get something you can be proud of and the sticker shock won't be so bad.

The cost isn't really that much more than doing a commercial action when you think about it. Surface grind $75.00, drill and tap for scope bases $50.00 (additional $100 if you want custom bases), heat treat $100 and a new bolt handle weld (you might do this with a commercial action too) $75.00.

Mark Sratton just finished one for me and the cost was very reasonable.

Terry

I have used Mark numerous times for custom bases but not action work. I thought he was getting out of the actual workplace and doing his book and teaching.

quote:

Originally posted by lb404:
I have used Mark numerous times for custom bases but not action work. I thought he was getting out of the actual workplace and doing his book and teaching.

I don't think so. I talked to him today and he was about replenish his stock of scope rings. When I sent mine in there was a 6 month back log on work. I bet that hasn't changed I told him I was going to post some pics of his work and let everybody know how happy I was with the work, He said thanks.

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I just can't believe that Tom Burgess would charge 5 thousand bucks to true up a mauser action and change the bolt handle and fix up the bottom metal. No way. Maybe $1500 to $2000 but not $5000 for a simple mauser action job.

Think about it like this

If you want to tell time then you can buy a $5 watch at walmart, a $500 watch from a jewler or a really nice rolex for more than some make in a year. The rolex might not keep better time, but if you want a watch in the same class as a rolex then you have to pay rolex prices. I'd say at $5000 the Burgess metal work is a pretty good deal. I'm not sure if you can get much better quality metal work, but you can easily pay 50 times that,if you want, to for a complete rifle.
gunmaker

Well the 7x64 was a barrelled action that I bought, Jeffeoso ran a stock for me on the electric beaver and off it went to Norm for inleting and a full length glass bedding.

On the .275 he built for me we used a Douglas XX barrel (cut and crowned to 24") with a Timney trigger with side safety and a Bell and Carlsen stock. I know everyone else loves the 3 position safetys but personally I prefer the two position side safety, or the Ruger tang safety. Norm supplied everything including the action for that one.

Jeff,
I still can't wait to see the 280.. er 7x64

jeffe