[cpileri]

In the latest FAC catalog (or gunsnstuff, same company) there is an ad for antique 1893 mauser actions (I believe)- specified as small ring.
Since no paperwork is needed and who knows what nutty idea i may have in the future, i was thinking of picking some up.

What are the possibilities of things to build with these?
What caliber and barrels, mostly? what other things to consider for projects for these? are the bolts and the rest of the action available in some form? etc?

thanks! I realize this may be a 'big' question!
C-

[dfariswheel]

Other than that the 1893 is a cock on closing action, these make excellent sporter rifles.

Any cartridge in the 7mm Mauser range will work, and there's nothing wrong just with sticking with the 7mm.

Parts are still plentiful, most barrel makers make barrels for them, as do most stock makers.

On of the nicest custom rifles I ever saw was an 1893 in .257 Roberts, in a Classic-style Mannlicher stock, with just the right amount of hand engraving.

Another was a super-light weight Missouri Deer Stalker rifle.
This didn't look like much, but was QUITE expensive.

It was a '93 action, custom tuned and "blueprinted" for max accuracy, a thin "pencil" barrel, and a bedded, straight-grain walnut stock, topped off with an expensive Leupold scope and mounts.
This was a minimum weight rifle for stalking deer in heavy brush.

Another deer stalker had a synthetic stock, a parkerized finish, and again, a tuned action with a light barrel.

ALMOST anything you can do with a 1898, you can do with the '93, as long as you stay within it's cartridge range.

[Gordon]

Make a .45acp "destroyer" carbine copy. (or a Delisle style AOW) :D

[Jim K]

I agree with dfariswheel. If I wanted a pistol caliber carbine, I would buy one of those on the market and not waste rifle action on a pistol round. Many of those rifles have bad barrels, but there is nothing at all wrong with the old 7x57 for medium game, and rebarrelling is easy. The cock on closing action might put some folks off, though.

Jim

[Wildalaska]

6.5x55

WildswedishcartridgeobsessionAlaska

[cpileri]

Sorry: looks like they are 1891 actions, not 1893. Does that matter?

So anyway, i am thinking this may be a nice building project. While facile with tools, a gunsmith i am not. So...

(long answers expected and appreciated)

What would be the easiest project for these receivers to build into a rifle?

What parts are needed (OK, I know a bolt, magazine spring/floorplate, stock,barrel, etc- but anything else?)??

What equipment is needed? A barrel press or wrench? i would have to obtain all these things.

But it still sounds fun to try!

Also, is the 6.5 swede a good choice in the sense of not having to change anything to accomodate the cartridge/action length or boltface or whatever?

I sure do like that 6.5 cartridge!

C-

[CaptainCrossman]

old thread, good topic worth reviving

I just bought a Turk 1893/38 in 8x57 for $150, the gun is a lot of fun to shoot. The action is really smooth, I'd say even smoother than the Model 98 Mausers I've owned- perhaps due to the more slender, lighter bolt and only 2 forward locking lugs, instead of 3. (no rear safety lug on this one).

I really like the gun as is in 8x57, and this gun has a very good barrel bore, so I'm leaving it as is. I shoot minimal loaded of 45 grains 4350 and a 150 grain bullet. The gun is VERY accurate with the open sights.

rechambering possibilities ? if you really need to, go with a 257 Roberts, of 250-3000 Savage caliber, on an 1893. That's what I'd do if I "had" to- reason: it will give the gun a very unique personality, make it highly attractive, and a higher resale value if you ever have to sell it. The cost to rebarrel is the same regardless, so it pays to go with a 25 caliber.