Author Topic: what would you do? (Read 1106 times)

stork · « **on:** February 13, 2004, 05:12:50 PM »

I have a mauser just sitting around that I want to sporterize. It is currently a .308 win, but I would like something bigger. I think I want a synthetic stock because I am afraid i would ruin a nice wood stock. It needs the headspacing fixed so I want a new barrel. I mainly hunt deer, but am hopping to go on an elk and moose hunt in a couple of years. I am 15 and will keep this rifle for the rest of my life so I want to do it right the first time.

Would you do any work to the action to make it more accurate?

What caliber would you choose?

What else would you do?

yankee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2004, 02:43:55 PM »

Stork. There are many things to consider when rebarreling a rifle and changing the caliber. The first question would be the quality of the existing action. Is it going to be good enough to put your money in. Is it going to be strong enough to handle the new cartridge. Most mausers feed from the magazine. Your new round should be short enough to fit into the existing magazine and work in the length action you have. Something else is the size of the bolt face. You will probably want to keep your new cartridge in the same family size as the 308 case head. Bolt faces can be made larger but sometimes feeding and extraction problems crop up when this is done. Lastly there is nothing wrong with the 308. Some would say it is a bit light for moose and elk but a lot of them have been shot with this caliber. If there is a head space problem why not just have the barrel set back an inch and use the original barrel if it is good. Also important is to get to know your rifle. Shoot it and shoot it some more. Get to know where the first shot goes and the second from a clean barrel. Get to know it on hot days and cold and rain and snow in the light and in the dark. How does it shoot off a post, leaning on a tree, on your belly, or on your knees. Get to know your rifles capabilities and yours. Don't over reach either one and take the "I know " shots not the "I thought" shots. Good shooting--

stork · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2004, 04:34:52 PM »

The action is fine acording to a gunsmith. I just bought a 30-06 a couple of months ago so I don't see the need for a .308, but then again I really don't need a something bigger than an 06 for elk and moose either. As for keeping the case head size the same I have been looking at the 338-06 and 35 Whelen which both have the same case head size. I kinda want a 338 win mag though. All of these cartridges will fit in my muaser. I am also just starting to reload so I can shoot more.

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2004, 08:06:19 AM »

Stork, you will enjoy reloading. Especially if you end up with a "non-common" caliber.

long

litman252 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2004, 02:19:36 PM »

You're doing better than me, I'm still looking for an action to use.
I would build a 30-06 and sell the one you have.
In this neck of the woods, and not planning on going to Big bear country, I don't feel the need for anything biger than that.
That could easily be your one large game rifle. Get another in smaller cal. to use on little creatures.
Or build several of many calibers and types for good measure
Best of luck,
Tony

papajohn428 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2004, 06:31:02 AM »

Stork, have you looked into the .358 Winchester? The short action works for both .308 and .358, saving a little weight, if that's a concern. Same head size, and bullets up to 250 grains, although OAL is limited.
BTW, if you already have an '06, why do you need anything heavier for overgrown deer? I'd take that action and build a 25/284 or something exotic like that. But that's just me! :grin:
Enjoy your time reloading, it opens up a whole new world to you. Just make haste slowly and start your charges well below max, and you'll go to your grave with all your original equipment intact. Replacement parts are hard to get at any age! :shock:
PJ

stork · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2004, 10:06:48 AM »

No, I have not looked at the 358 win because i like fast stuff and a 358win just is not fast enough for me. I probably will never take a shot at an animal that a few hundred feet per second will make much of a difference, but i want it therre just in case. I am not into that magnum thing too much but i ain't into slow stuf either. I was kinda thinking about a 338-06 or 35 Whelen. I know that even an 06 is more than I need for deer, but I just want something bigger. An exotic round is something I am kinda interested in also.

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2004, 04:16:35 AM »

stork - You might want to check out the .350 Remington Magnum. You'll need to do some work to the bolt face but the round has the zip for whatever you need and if you start to reload like pappajohn suggested you can use it for everything from varmints to moose and big bears. Good luck with what ever you choose! CEJ...

skippermdj · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2004, 01:25:52 PM »

Stork - I built a 338-06/Ackley on a Czech Mauser action, and like it very much. Put a 24" barrel on it and the Ackley comes pretty close to 338 WinMag ballistics with less recoil and a lot less powder. Very flexible and easy to reload.

freddogs · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2004, 09:00:18 AM »

I built a 35 whelan on one of my mauser actions. I have several 30.06 and wanted something different. I'm really pleased with it. I like shooting 250 grain bullets. You could always go smaller and convert it to a 257 Roberts or 25.06 and use it for deer or varmints.

RaySendero · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2004, 04:11:11 PM »

I kinda like the 35 Whelen idea. Although its really not going to be much better than that 30/06 you bought. Maybe go with the 35 Whelen Ackley improved or 375/06.

BUT....How about just converting back to 8x57? :mrgreen: