100 years later

[Texas by God]

I bought this 1922 vintage 1916 Oviedo Mauser last year for $100. It’s just like one I bought in 1973 for $40. Neither one would keep a magazine full of factory 7mm ammo on a dinner plate at 50 yards.
SO, I removed the dark old oval bore 7x57 barrel today.
I have aquired a used Tikka T3 25-06 barrel to shorten and re-thread to fit; then cutting a .257Roberts chamber.
I will use the original cut down stock and trigger at first, then restock it later and install a Timney.
I was not concerned about the old barrel, so forgive the hacksaw relief cut and wrench marks- it came off with one arm instead of two…
Forgive the dark pic.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230217/32590377f697cfa9f7096175f3a626bd.jpg


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[405grain]

Projects like that are so much fun. Luckily there's still some aftermarket sporterizing stuff like triggers, safeties & stocks still available for small rings. The 257 Roberts is a great round, but last year I had the opposite experience from you. (Your rifle started out shooting bad, mine ended up shooting bad) I put a Numrich 257 Roberts barrel on a 98 Turkish action and built it into a sporter. The rifle looks beautiful, but it groups terribly. Since all the work's already been done on it, it looks amazing but won't shoot worth a darn, it looks like I'll be getting a 257 barrel blank and make up a new barrel for it. Were both going to be working on a 257 Bob.

[HWooldridge]

You could turn in that old barrel at one of the lib exchange programs and get $100...just sayin' <LOL>

[dverna]

I do not to have the ability or motivation to undertake a project like that. I admire those with the wherewithal to "get r done" and have a successful result. Hope it works out for you.

[725]

Take photo's ! Love to follow stories like this. Good luck.

[WRideout]

I would love to be able to do gunsmithing like that. Unfortunately my craftsmanship is limited to what I can do with a wood rasp and a hammer.

Wayne

[Texas by God]

Well, sometimes plans change.
For decades I have bartered goods and services with my machinist brother in exchange for barrel work. He recently told me that he is retiring and selling his business.
So, I was talking about it with a buddy in Kentucky….
And he just happened to have a 38 Swedish 6.5x55 barrel that had been lathe practice ugly out but primo in…..
So, that ugly barrel went right on and headspace is proper.
Not worried about looks, I JB welded a Weaver base to the barrel. An extension ring holds the K2.5 to where I have a field of view and it clears the bolt.
Shooting commenced with a starting load of Varget with 120 gr Sierra bullets.
At 40 yards, the first two made one hole. I adjusted the windage, and the next two made one hole.
At 100 yards with a low powered scope, I’m not ashamed of the group on the half inch grid target.
A little paint, and it will hunt.
For now, I’ll call it “Stick” as in short for uglystick…..
Some day I may do the full sporter thing to it with a new barrel and stock and scopewise modifications……..
And I may not[emoji3]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230323/9fe2e6d6b941cec0d551b8b33962088f.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230323/f550fce056c18974fb7c452118b0292a.jpg
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[missionary5155]

I would rather have a "stick" that is accurate far more than an "eye candy" marvel that needs to be in the barn to hit a wall.

[Jedman]

Glad it worked out for you ! Jedman

[txbirdman]

I have also been experimenting with 120 gr Sierra’s in my Swede carbine. I’ve had this little rifle for almost 30 years and have pretty much stuck with Hornady 129’s and IMR 4064. Some how I acquired the 120’s and since I’m running low on the 129’s I decided to give the combo a try. I was going to use Varget, like you, but decided to go with H4831 instead. I have a 4X Leupold on this rifle but still my groups have been very good so far. My average velocity has been 2665 fps with a 13 SD. As you develop your Varget load I will be interested in seeing your results.

[Texas by God]

This group was with the 120gr Sierras over 3031 powder. 100 yards shooting as fast as I could from the bags. Aiming point was the faded black area right of the floor plate.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230329/c5f4711e40c1c45baee5b5dcbc4712ac.jpg

To further pimp it up, I found an old steel trigger shoe that fits it well enough to make the 4 lb pull feel lighter than it is.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230329/f2b50726298d6573e96ddefd5911addf.jpg


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[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230611/b81d04d835a385c18845c09d3badac13.jpg
The crosshairs covered the dot at 100yds but I’m still happy with Old Stick.
And I put a sling stud in place of a screw to allow different slings.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230611/623681e50545ae9b27eefdabaa52c24c.jpg
It feeds the 6.5 x 55 like it was made for it, too.


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[Bad Ass Wallace]

There is a lot of satisfaction in compling a project from "bits". Last year I was given a 1916 GEW Mauser action that someone had gunsmithed toward a sporter. The bolt handle was bent, a bridge mount was machined and incorporated 'Sako' type tapered dovetails and the trigger was standard Mauser.

I delved into the 'parts' box and found an FN Mauser barrel in 30.06, a set of old Sako mounts, a spare Pecar 4X scope and a spare military style stock. I bought a Parker-Hale trigger assembly for $60 and with a day in the workshop I had a very nice military sporter.

https://i.imgur.com/Xul4hq0l.jpg

[Rapier]

Working on a M-96 Husky convert to a 358 Win for a cast bullet rifle. Ordered a Shaw 1-14 twist 22" barrel for it. Just got it drilled and tapped with a Leupold standard one piece base installed.

This latest picture

[slim1836]

Too late in life for me to achieve those skills, I admire those that can.

Slim

[Uncle Grinch]

TbG, Love what you are doing. I’ve done a few back in the past.
Question… With your scope mounted so far forward, how is your eye relief?

[Texas by God]

Uncle Grinch, it’s a temporary set up that is working ok….
Luckily I have a long neck so I can creep forward on the stock to catch the full image.
Eventually I’ll drill and tap the action for conventional mounts and modify the bolt handle and safety.
A couple of years back, I sold my Midway drill and tap fixture and bolt welding jig- because I thought I was done sporterizing Mausers……
Oh well.


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[Uncle Grinch]

TbG,
Sounds like a plan. I know how you feel. Several years ago, I sold my action wrench and barrel vise. Probably just as well. My hand can’t take the stress anymore. Good luck with your project.

[Kestrel4k]

Thanks for doing it in 6.5 Swede; one less person I have to compete with for used Roberts brass, lol. ;-)

[Texas by God]

Thanks for doing it in 6.5 Swede; one less person I have to compete with for used Roberts brass, lol. ;-)

6mm is the new Roberts brass….[emoji848][emoji41]


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[Texas by God]

“Stick” got upgraded a bit by drilling and tapping the action, fitting the rear base to the charger bridge, straightening, cutting and welding the bolt handle, and fitting a scope safety.
It’s getting a Simmons 4x from the cabinet- painted to match of course.
It handles great! It’ll go into the hunting rotation for sure.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230729/ef4ae81579ad35212b78494306b4d5a4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230729/76dffa663220f6c5649fc62e68a858f8.jpg


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[dverna]

Enjoy seeing stuff like this. A bit envious too!

[Texas by God]

The trigger(and new safety) have some hitchinthegitalongitis going on, so I’ll need to correct that. I have a spare 93 trigger standing by.
But the 100 yard group ain’t too bad, considering.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230801/24b9e8d52845becafecbbc9aa4caaa98.jpg


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[WILCO]

Loving this thread!
Thanks for the pics and updates.

[Texas by God]

Well, the D/T safety doesn’t have enough meat on it to cam the cocking piece clear of the sear.
No matter, the original safety clears the Simmons 4x just fine. The original trigger is actually OK for a Mauser so it stays.
I shot one 3 shot group @100 yards in 102 degree heat and called it good.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230803/94790a7b5ec1e6c8d13073e91f7abe7e.jpg


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[ulav8r]

Well, the D/T safety doesn’t have enough meat on it to cam the cocking piece clear of the sear.
No matter, the original safety clears the Simmons 4x just fine. The original trigger is actually OK for a Mauser so it stays.
I shot one 3 shot group @100 yards in 102 degree heat and called it good.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230803/94790a7b5ec1e6c8d13073e91f7abe7e.jpg


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Dat'l do.

[Rapier]

A couple of pictures of the 1943 Husky with the 358 Win 1-14 barrel. The drill and tap is done, ramp is polished, Timney trigger installed, adjusted to the safety, , scope safey and base installed, knob tear drop shaped, bent and swept, bolt Jeweling finished, The trigger guard is milled narrow and tapered center to edge, receiver face abd rugs squared, threads trued, bolt lugs hand lapped to 100%, the action ways are lapped.
Now I deed to mount and headspace the barrel plus decide on the stock/wood. I will do a thumb hole but....type of wood is another matter. Leaning toward another Walnut, maybe a claro with a bit of figure.

My vacum system is not set up, so I would need to take the duplicator apart, move it outside, cut the stock, take the duplicator apart and move it back in, then reassemble it. Way easier to just order a cut stock, inlet it, glass bed, finish, etc.

[Texas by God]

That’s looking good, Rapier!
The taper/long chamber area makes that barrel look like an ER Shaw. I’ve had good experiences with their barrels.


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[koger]

Great shooting for a 4x scope. is that the 3031 load?

[Texas by God]

Yes, Sam it’s the 120gr Sierra over a mild load of 3031.
The bolt face looks a hundred years old, so I’m treading on the respect for elders side[emoji106]


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