1916 Spanish Short Rifle with Flash Hider-Attn: boom boom and Merle1

[35 Whelen]

I'm not sure what the date of manufacture is, and it only has one recoil lug. If you looks closely at the stock, you'll see where I removed the bolt and filled the void. BTW, the photo of the unaltered model is a representative photo. I had already begun work on mine when it occurred to me to chronicle the job.

I cringe every time I see one of these threads because two subjects will come up; "You destroyed a piece of history when you altered that rifle" and "You're going to hurt yourself shooting that dangerous, weak rifle".

Like someone else said, collectors should rejoice every time someone alters a military rifle because all of the remaining ones increase in value. Regarding the strength, this subject has been beat to a bloody pulp on Internet forums by well meaning folks. SAMCO, who sold these rifles literally by the boat load, had one tested by the H.P. White laboratories and P.O. Ackley, probably the most prolific and well known gunsmith of the 20th century, tested one, with difficulty, to destruction. Good enought for me.

35W

 

[Happy Trails]

I'm not sure what the date of manufacture is, and it only has one recoil lug. If you looks closely at the stock, you'll see where I removed the bolt and filled the void. BTW, the photo of the unaltered model is a representative photo. I had already begun work on mine when it occurred to me to chronicle the job.

I cringe every time I see one of these threads because two subjects will come up; "You destroyed a piece of history when you altered that rifle" and "You're going to hurt yourself shooting that dangerous, weak rifle".

Like someone else said, collectors should rejoice every time someone alters a military rifle because all of the remaining ones increase in value. Regarding the strength, this subject has been beat to a bloody pulp on Internet forums by well meaning folks. SAMCO, who sold these rifles literally by the boat load, had one tested by the H.P. White laboratories and P.O. Ackley, probably the most prolific and well known gunsmith of the 20th century, tested one, with difficulty, to destruction. Good enought for me.

35W

Thanks for the details on the lugs.

And thanks for saying what I have been trying to say over and over again.
You can't mention these Span Mau's anywhere without getting "the lecture". It gets wearying. But I try to respond with kindness.

Regarding the supposed danger, like I asked already, Where is the data?

Or to quote a silicon valley executive: "If we have data, lets go with data. If all we have are opinions, then we will go with mine."

 

[kwg020]

Very nice! You've done some great work on that rifle and it ought to make for a great hunting rifle.

Question: Why would you not shoot .308 ammunition? Is it because of the old assumption that .308 ammunition runs at higher pressure than 7.62x51 ammunition? Check this out:7.62 NATO Pressure vs. Commercial 308 Winchester

I did something similar to a 1916, but leaned more toward the traditional Scout Rifle platform. Lots of work to the original stock, fitted a sight from an M-1 Carbine, mounted a receiver sight, etc.

Details here: Built Another Scout Rifle

35 Whelen
Tell me about the scope mount. I have not seen anything like that on a Mauser.

kwg

 

[35 Whelen]

I got it from Brownells. Don't remember who makes it, maybe XS Systems maybe....?

35W

 

[Happy Trails]

Nature Boy

Great job on that 03A3! How much better does it shoot in the stock without barrel bands? Do you have any before and after experience with it? I am curious because a modern stock is next for my 1916. I am wondering how much negative effect the barrel bands have on performance.

 

[Happy Trails]

Very nice! You've done some great work on that rifle and it ought to make for a great hunting rifle.

Question: Why would you not shoot .308 ammunition? Is it because of the old assumption that .308 ammunition runs at higher pressure than 7.62x51 ammunition? Check this out:7.62 NATO Pressure vs. Commercial 308 Winchester

Good question.

Two main reasons for shooting the NATO stuff. First, since I don't hand load I am taking an economy-but-reasonable-quality route here. I do have some 308 good stuff. Federal Premium etc. But I am trying to benchmark with the Fed XM80.
And I am familiar with the NATO vs 7.62 discussion. Too familiar.

Second, I also have an M1A and shoot XM80 in that as well. Both for comparative performance/familiarity and for unified ammo stock.

Both have 22" barrels. M1A has NM irons. The 1916 has the scope, per the pics.

The performance comparison at the range is interesting between the two guns. It goes to show how great those NM sights really are on the M1A. I have been studying and applying Jim Owens book.

These reasons might sound a bit crazy. But they make sense for me at the moment. I'm trying to get more familiar and proficient. Not go and shoot bears. (at the moment). I will leave those for your W35!

Lets all have fun!

 

[kwg020]

I got it from Brownells. Don't remember who makes it, maybe XS Systems maybe....?

35W

35
Is the barrel on your Scout a large ring or a small ring? I only see mounts for a 98 and a commercial.
kwg


http://www.brownells.com/optics-mou...ses/rifle-bases/scout-scope-mount-prod50.aspx

 

[35 Whelen]

35
Is the barrel on your Scout a large ring or a small ring? I only see mounts for a 98 and a commercial.
kwg


http://www.brownells.com/optics-mou...ses/rifle-bases/scout-scope-mount-prod50.aspx

I'm not sure if mine is large. Brownells give the dimensions of these bases and you have two choices; .980" or 1.05". Sorry I don't remember which I used.
Here's couple of shots of bedding the rifle when the base was in place:





Hope this helps.

35W

 

[Nature Boy]

Great job on that 03A3! How much better does it shoot in the stock without barrel bands? Do you have any before and after experience with it? I am curious because a modern stock is next for my 1916. I am wondering how much negative effect the barrel bands have on performance.

Happy, I have no idea. My dad started sporterizing it when I was just a glint in his eye and all I knew of that rifle during my youth was as you see it in my before pictures. Just a barreled action, the original stock, and a shoe box full of parts, sitting in the back of dad's closet.

It shoots nice now. Capable of holding 1 MOA or better with my hand loads. This was 5 shots at 100 yards using 125g hornady SSTs and H4895.



I plan on doing some more load development with it before deer season starts using heavier pills. I'd also like to bed the stock. I've never done it so I'm looking forward to learning the process

 

[Happy Trails]

Happy, I have no idea. My dad started sporterizing it when I was just a glint in his eye and all I knew of that rifle during my youth was as you see it in my before pictures. Just a barreled action, the original stock, and a shoe box full of parts, sitting in the back of dad's closet.

It shoots nice now. Capable of holding 1 MOA or better with my hand loads. This was 5 shots at 100 yards using 125g hornady SSTs and H4895.



I plan on doing some more load development with it before deer season starts using heavier pills. I'd also like to bed the stock. I've never done it so I'm looking forward to learning the process

OK, now you have challenged me. Lets see if I can get my 1916 to do that a 100 yards!