Decisions, Decisions

[rtracy2001]

I recently aquired a pair of Turkish Mausers to use a project guns. Non-matching serial numbers and less than stellar stocks = no collector value, so they are free to cusomize. One of them will become my first 308 win gun, the other, I'm not so sure what to do with. I already have offerings in 30-06, 300 savage, 8x57, 8mm-06, 243 win, 30-30, 223, and 30 carbine. I really would not mind having another "wildcat" cartridge, or an offering that is less well known, but still available commercially. What I am looking for is opinions and options on what cartridge to use for my project.

What say ye?

[docone31]

Well, lets see,
I do know, MilSurp, 6.5 X 55 barrels will drop directly into the small thread recievers.
Makes a rather accurate rifle with little work.
You can use original wood also.
That would be my next choice.

[leadman]

7.65 Argentine? 257 Roberts
I had a Turk rebarreled to 6.5-06 then found out this was a converted 1891. Has a longer bolt than a standard 98.

[Bret4207]

6.5x55 is perfect.

[rtracy2001]

From the feedback here, a little web research and a few "good old boys" jawing at the gunshop, it looks like the 6.5x55 is the winner.


So the search for a barrel begins.

[Bullshop]

6.5x55 is a most excellent cartridge. Look at its ballistics compared to other cartridges in the same caliber. You will see it stacks up well even though it is loaded to a lower pressure than all the non milsurp 6.5's.
With all the good there is however a bad side (ain't there always). That side is case head diameter. When considering a certain chambering one thing I always look at is availability of brass. I dont mean at the sporting goods store I mean at the shooting range or in my case gravel pit. My general rule is if I cant find them or get them for next to nothing I will not be totally happy with it.
It is for this reason my personal choice for a 6.5mm chambering is the 6.5x57. There is a long list of brass it can be made from that I do find at the pit. Second choice would be 6.5/06 but the choices are fewer that it can be made from and there is not much of a gap in performance.

[dualsport]

How about a rebore? Something in .35+ would round out your collection and be cb friendly. You could go with .357 pistol bullets on up to heavyweights.

[mroliver77]

Who was it on this site a year or two back was chambering an 35 X57 using a 35 Whelen reamer I believe? I turned out a long neck 35X57. Sounded great to me. I like shooting cast in my guns and bigger usually works better.
Jay
Jay

[rtracy2001]

6.5x55 is a most excellent cartridge. Look at its ballistics compared to other cartridges in the same caliber. You will see it stacks up well even though it is loaded to a lower pressure than all the non milsurp 6.5's.
With all the good there is however a bad side (ain't there always). That side is case head diameter.

Thanks, will my mod 98 bolt need major mods to accept the extra .010 diameter and thicker rim?


When considering a certain chambering one thing I always look at is availability of brass. I dont mean at the sporting goods store I mean at the shooting range or in my case gravel pit. My general rule is if I cant find them or get them for next to nothing I will not be totally happy with it.
It is for this reason my personal choice for a 6.5mm chambering is the 6.5x57. There is a long list of brass it can be made from that I do find at the pit. Second choice would be 6.5/06 but the choices are fewer that it can be made from and there is not much of a gap in performance.

The 6.5-06 is out as I already have two calibers bassed on the 06 and even tough I am quite meticulous about keeping everything separate, adding another 06 variant just seems to be pressing my luck, especially with the 12 year old starting into reloading her own. (don't know, but a 30-06 just might chamber in a 6.5-06...BOOM)

The 6.5x57 seems interesting, and if I am careful, even reformed brass won't be a big problem as the 8x57 should not chamber, and I do not own a 7x57.

Looks like this will not be a quick project, much planning required to do it right.

[Gee_Wizz01]

I am looking for a Turk 98 to convert to a .257 Ackley Improved. The .257 Roberts is an excellent cartridge and the Ackley improved is even better.

G

[Bullshop]

6.5x57 AI

Gee Wizz01
BTW I have some Turk K kale actions that have been completely sporterized, forged bolts, D&T contoured receivers, re blued. These are large ring small shank.
I might consider trading for something that tickled my fancy.

[excess650]

There are a variety of "Turkish Mauser" actions, so which do you have? I'm of the impression that the K Kale are some of the better ones, albeit with large ring and small shank.

[rtracy2001]

There are a variety of "Turkish Mauser" actions, so which do you have? I'm of the impression that the K Kale are some of the better ones, albeit with large ring and small shank.

Both of them K kale, large ring small shank.

[Dutchman]

Why waste a 98 action on anything whimpy?

The .35x57 is actually called 9.3x57 in Europe. It's very common and fairly popular for moose and deer in Sweden.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x57_mauser.htm

The 8mm-06 would probably be what I'd choose if the logistics worked out. If I was replacing the barrel and wanted a bigger bore the .35 Whelan would certainly be in the running as would the .358 Winchester.

Dutch

[rtracy2001]

Why waste a 98 action on anything whimpy?

...

The 8mm-06 would probably be what I'd choose if the logistics worked out.

Dutch

Well, if I didn't already have an 8mm-06 it would be a no braner. The one I got cleaned out has a decent bore, but headspace is a little loose.

I suppose I could use another...?

I'm not much for the really big bores, they cost more in lead and powder, so I get to shoot them less, plus when I can afford to shoot them, I shoot them less due to recoil.

[fireball168]

The .35x57 is actually called 9.3x57 in Europe. It's very common and fairly popular for moose and deer in Sweden.

You're thinking 9x57.

The 9.3x57 is a .366 groove.

Both are fun to play with, and seem to be quite easy on the receivers.

Simpson LTD & Sarco brought a good amount of rifles in both chamberings in a few years ago. Simpson sold a mess of them to Cabela's. Might be worth a call to both to see if they've got any scrap rifles/barrels still around.

[excess650]

Dutch,
Your link went to the .366" groove 9.3x57. The 9x57 is closer, but with a .356" groove diameter. 9.5mm would be .375" and either the 9x57 or 9.5x57 would be good cast bullet hunting calibers. I have a 9x57 that needs rebored, so may end up 9.5x57.




Why waste a 98 action on anything whimpy?

The .35x57 is actually called 9.3x57 in Europe. It's very common and fairly popular for moose and deer in Sweden.


Dutch

[roverboy]

RTracy, you couldn't go wrong with a .308. I've had one for about 15 years and I've killed about 12 deer with it. There's no problem finding ammo either. I handload, but ammo is easy to find if I need some brass to load. I shoot 150 gr. bullets in mine.

[67bear]

I know you said not another '06 based cartridge, but you may want to consider 35 Whelen. I built one several years ago on a Czech VZ24 action and couldn't be happier with it.

[Buckshot]

I know you said not another '06 based cartridge, but you may want to consider 35 Whelen. I built one several years ago on a Czech VZ24 action and couldn't be happier with it.

.............Perzactly! A buddy of mine turned a Turk M38/46 (K.Kale action) into a very nice 35 Whelen. Stock and barrel came from Midway. A very nice shooter indeed.

..............Buckshot

[PAT303]

I'd make a 9.3x62. Pat

[Four Fingers of Death]

Well, if I didn't already have an 8mm-06 it would be a no braner. The one I got cleaned out has a decent bore, but headspace is a little loose.

I suppose I could use another...?

I'm not much for the really big bores, they cost more in lead and powder, so I get to shoot them less, plus when I can afford to shoot them, I shoot them less due to recoil.

How about rechambering to (30-06, but with an 8mm bore) Ackerly Improved? That would clean up the head space and be an awesome rifle with cast or the 250Gn Woodleigh Protected Point Bullet.

One drawback is that it would rattle your teeth some :D

If you already have the big un's covered a Bob would be perfect. I always found the 308s were less than satisfactory in the feeding department in Mausers.

I always have my eye out for a bubba'd 8mm to make an 8mm/06. Don't need it, but always fancied one. Anddddddddddddd, I just jumped in on an 8mm group buy mould, 2 cav, 1xHP, 1x FP.

[NHlever]

I have also found the 308 Win. based rounds don't feed well at all from most standard mauser actions, and changing them is more trouble, and risky than is worthwhile. The 6mm's are getting tough to find gas checks, and molds for, the 25's have good availability, as do the 7mm's. Dependiing on the gaps in your gun collection I would look hard at a 257 Roberts, or the standard 7X57. They will likely feed very well, and are great calibers. Now, if I could just find a light Mauser action that would feed, extract, and eject the standard 35 Reminton, and build into a light rifle, I would be all set. Wonder if an Argentine 91 action would work?

[Four Fingers of Death]

A 35 Remington is a pretty low pressure deal, is there any other smallish military actions that would do?

[oldhickory]

How about a .338 Federal, .308 necked up to .338, or a .358 Winchester.