Mauser re-barrel

[Tenbender]

I have an extra FN commercial rifle I'm thinking of re-barreling . Don't know what I would want. I already have a 243, 257 Bob, 270, 308, and a 30 06.
What would a caster like ? Don't have any interest in mag. calibers.
The rifle is a Model 50 JC Higgins in 30 06. I have 4 of them.

[geezer56]

7X57 or 8X57. For more abuse a Whelen.

[Beagle333]

MY VZ24 is currently in transformation to a .35 Whelen. Already about 75% complete.

[C A Plater]

Ditto on the .35 Whelen. Go with a 14" twist if you do. Better for the heavier lead and cast over 16".

[waksupi]

.358 Win will make you a happy person.

[Larry Gibson]

Send it to goodsteel and have him put a 26" heavy sporter on it with a 14" twist and chamber in 30 XCB. You will have an excellent cast bullet rifle that also does very well with most jacketed bullets. If you don't want to form the 30 XCBs (easily done out of 30-06 cases with slightly shorted standard 30-06 dies) the I suggest the standard 30-06 chambering. Or if you want to really pursue higher velocity with cast bullets that also shoot just fine at "normal" velocities then consider a 30" Palma or target barrel with a 16" twist chambered in a tight necked 30-06 chambering. You could end up with something like this;

Larry Gibson

Attachment 156384

[Elkins45]

.358 Win will make you a happy person.

I could not agree more.

[Preacher Jim]

358 winchester is a great all around cast boolits round, one you will enjoy.

[Zim]

A 358 makes me smile. Highly recommended. However, how many 35 caliber molds do you own?

What is it chambered for now? JES may be able to simply rebore it & it'll save you money for molds.

[Tracy]

Whelen. I built one 20 years ago and have fired all manner of bullets and boolits in it. One of my favorite loads is a 358495 wadcutter at ~1200 fps. On the other end, I have a 358009 that I push to a bit over 2K fps with 4895. Twist is 14".

I don't have a .358, but always thought it would be a good one. Whelen would fit that rifle better, though.

[John Allen]

I would go with a 35 whelen myself. It is a great cartridge.

[atr]

If it were me, given the rifle calibers you already have, I would go 35 Whelen. You can load it up or down depending on how much abuse your shoulder can take. As previously mentioned use a 1:14 twist.

[OnHoPr]

Interesting quandary, well since you already have the 6mm to 30 cal classes covered and big cals are usually better for cast how about these suggestions. Most you will always be able to find brass for or make it reasonably. It also depends on it you want to just make it a cast rifle or do double duty with jacketed would be a factor as well. With the mauser brass the 7mm if jacketed may be on the table from time to time. The 8mm mauser with the proper twist would be a good one as well as the 9.3x57. These last two would throw decent hunks of lead with good BCs at a decent cast speed and relatively easy on the shoulder. With the 308 brass you could go with the 338 federal or 358 win. With the 06 brass you could go with the 8mm-06, 338-06, 35 whelen, or the 9.3x62 the biggest thumper of them all when needed, but can be reloaded at moderate levels as well. It also depends on your feed rail system and if any modifications are needed. As mentioned above you already have good steel in the barrel, so a rebore might be a better choice if going up in caliber. Even pushing a 250 gr boolit with any of them @ 2100 fps they might only start getting into the recoil of a factory loaded 06. Sounds like you have a good supply of decent bolts. The mauser and 06 brass will give you more neck stock for the longer boolits.

[vzerone]

358 Win here too. A good gunsmith can work the feed rails to feed them beautifully.

[Uncle Grinch]

How about a 9.3x62?

Now that would be something different, but not too far out.

[Nobade]

How about a 9.3x62?

Now that would be something different, but not too far out.

Ah, you beat me to it! It's a Mauser, needs a Mauser cartridge. They fit and feed right.

-Nobade

[MT Gianni]

9x57 with a .358 bore.

[Four Fingers of Death]

My 358Win is on a 7600, but if I was re barrelling a Mauser, I'd go for the longer Whelan. Nothing to do regarding the feed then. Other options are 338/06 and 9.3x62Mauser, which is an extremely correct option for a Mauser.

I like the 8mm Mauser as well, but it is close to what you have already.

[richhodg66]

I have one of those rifles around in .270 I haven't figured out what to do with yet. Got it as part of a package deal and the .270 is something I never plan to pursue for handloading much, but because of the commonly available ammo, it is a good one to have around so I guess she'll sit around and not eat much until I need her.

[tygar]

I like my 375/338. Hard hitting, easy to shoot & very accurate.