I'm looking at doing my first rifle rechambering project. I want to start with a low cost rifle and barrel just in case I mess it up. For the rifle, I'm looking at either a 1938 Turkish Mauser (8mm) or a Russian M1938 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R.

Of these two, which one would be easier for a newbie gunsmith? What is the smallest cartidge that either of these rifle can handle? Because of the physical handicaps that I have, I need to keep the recoil at or less than a 223 Remington. I realize they have a larger bolt face than that, but maybe a 22 or 6 PPC?

For the barrel, I'm going to go with Green Mountain unless something else is suggested. I can get blanks for under $100.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kory

Rather than deal with the complexity of making a weird cartridge fit and feed in a military action, just keep the barrel plenty heavy, add some weight in the butt and down-load somewhat.

Otherwise I'm afraid you'll be fighting problems that will take all the fun out of the finished rifle.

I'd suggest the Mauser and try to chamber it to 22-250

Hand load the 40 grain bullet to about 3500'/sec and walla.....you'll have a very light recoiling gun.

Pick any barrel you want but for a thrift rifle I'd be looking to E R Shaw.

Kory,
i am going to suggest a 22-250 on a turk, with a bauska barrel. the 22-250 can be loaded down to which ever you like, and up to a pretty serious velocity.

if recoil is an issue, i'll assume weight to be also... a muzzle brake (i hate em) could also be in thought.

if it were mine, i would do a 22-250 on a turk or vz, a #2 barrel, 24" long, and a good wood stock... it's not a "weird" caliber, but nor one you see everyday either... brass, bullets, load data, and dies are readily available.

even an AB barrel from midwayusa would help.

the 22-250 is fairly easy to get to feed, as it's a 473 casehead, and is just a little shorter than the 8x57

you will be tempted to coldblue it... don't use ANYTHING but brownell's oxpho gel

jeffe

you seem to have the equipment and talent....maybe you'd like to make a single shot.....Install a sako style extractor and chamber for the .223....or anything you wish to.....including the PPCs

Thanks Vapodog. The link is OK, but the image you posted seems to be broken. Can you e-mail it to me? kory @ avatar dot com.

Thanks,
Kory