Sporterized German made Swedish M96 Mauser

Back during the winter I ran across a slightly sporterized M96 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser, this gun is German made, one of the last before Sweden took over production, all numbers matching from 1900. The barrel had been cut down a couple of inches, a bad bore from what I had been told and a different front sight had been added but the sight was so high that every round would have been over the target, so I had it cut back some more, to 20 inches and had the forearm cut even with the handguard so I could use the sling swivel. I had a different base put on it with a Skinner sight blade. It has the original front sight but eventually I am going to go with a receiver sight later on. I plan on using this gun for some cornfield deer hunting this season. It likes Remington 140 grain rounds and my handloads of 140 grain Hornady SP's.

Here it is at 50 yards and 125 from a rest. It's very pleasant to shoot and should do pretty well I hope.

https://i.imgur.com/pjNESlH.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/kw5Vvpv.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/sQlfoZk.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/MpgHKVO.jpg?1

That's a sweet little rig! I just ordered an NOE 270-149 RN GC mould for mine, throat slugged .268 at the lead, let us all know how your's does with cast boolits. Jag alskar min svenska mauser! Ja!

David LePell,

It's possible (and maybe even likely) that that Model 96 Mauser was "cut-down" by the Swedish government for issue to their game wardens & to some "selected civilian marksmen".
(Evidently, LOTS of those rifles were similarly modified/"civilianized".)

It might be worth "doing some research" on that possibility before doing any more modifications to the little rifle.

yours, tex

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Originally Posted by texasnative46

David LePell,

It's possible (and maybe even likely) that that Model 96 Mauser was "cut-down" by the Swedish government for issue to their game wardens & to some "selected civilian marksmen".
(Evidently, LOTS of those rifles were similarly modified/"civilianized".)



It might be worth "doing some research" on that possibility before doing any more modifications to the little rifle.

yours, tex

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I don't think so since the replacement front sight that was put on was for a 1917 Enfield, the sight post was almost three times the height of the original front sight. The stock disc also gave the highest number for the bore, which meant that it was in its worst condition, the rifling is in its second worst condition according to the stock disc, if it is original to the gun.

With a tall front sight the bullets should have landed below the target.

David Lapell,

Who knows over the last century, who made changes to the rifle OR what changes there might have been since it was new.

Nonetheless, it's YOURS, so feel free to NOT do any research. = IMO, it basically looks like some of the Swedish rifles that were "civilianized" for reissue & that I saw when I was stationed in BRD.

yours, tex

That is a little beauty. I love those military sporters. Any thoughts about turning the bolt down?

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Originally Posted by sharps4590

With a tall front sight the bullets should have landed below the target.

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I was waiting for that. Correct.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by 725

That is a little beauty. I love those military sporters. Any thoughts about turning the bolt down?

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I have thought about that, but I like the bolt straight. If I add the receiver sight later on, I might but I am not sure. If I do a scope for it, I plan on a Scout type mount so I can still use the stripper clips.

That is a great looking rifle. The ones that I have had in the past were very accurate. Makes me want to get another one.

Ihave a 96 Mauser made by Ludwig Lowe of Oberndorf Germany ,
it was spoterised in the 1950's ,with a pistol grip inletted into the stock and chequering done ,its very difficult to notice .
It is chambered in 303/250 (Australian wildcat cartridge) ,has a Sportco barrel ,its very accurate , grouping 100gn projectiles with 3/4" groups at 120yds . I fitted a Timney trigger ,its nicer to shoot . Have taken a few Chital deer and a lot of pigs with it over the years .Attachment 208141Attachment 208143

I used a Redfield or Leupold one piece base to make a scout scope base for my sporter M38 6.5 Swede. It also will shoot sub moa 129 and 140 gr J bullets. I also forged the bolt handle for regular scope use, d&t for scope base and receiver sight and converted to cock on opening.

Attachment 208147