Converted Mauser target/sniper?

[Mustang51]

I recently (read: yesterday) snagged this Yugo 24/47 Mauser converted to a sniper/target rifle. The barrel looks like one of those Norwegian Mauser .308 target barrels that were sold a few years back. The only obvious difference is that this one doesn't have the turned down muzzle, like the uncut Norwegian barrel had.





This was an on-line estate sale, so I haven't received the rifle yet, but the description advised:

Yugo 24/47 - rifle - 308 -27" Hvy bbl SN 397xx - pistol grip Monte Carlo stock - blue on barrel - matte finish at 80% - receiver blue 85% - sporterized stock in good shape - Bushnell 3-9x44 scope -

Assuming that this is one of those Norwegian .308 target barrels, has anyone had any experience with them and how they perform? Is the Yugo 24/47 a decent platform for a starter target rifle?

 

[rcmodel]

Looks more like it was converted to a deer rifle then a Sniper/Target rifle to me.

It also looks like the scopes objective bell might be contacting the barrel even with the lens cover off, which is a big no no.
Might need higher scope rings, or a smaller scope.

rc

 

[Mustang51]

You could be right--although 27" is pretty long for a hunting rifle. Barrel is supposed to be "heavy", whatever that means.

Guess I won't know anything for sure till it arrives, but I'll look at the scope when it does.

Thanks

 

[Olympus]

I'm with RC on this one. Doesn't look like any kind of sniper/target rifle to me. Looks like a typical run of the mill sporter conversion. Granted, it is one of the better looking ones. Reblue the metal work and refinish the stock and you'll have yourself a dandy little hunting rifle.

As for the 24/47, a lot of people say it is one of the best actions to sporterize. It basically has very little, if any, historical value. And of the Yugo Mausers, the 24/47 is supposed to be the smoothest of them all. I've been on the lookout for a cheap 24/47 for a while now.

 

[desidog]

I think that scope bell looks clear, it's just the angle of the picture is from slightly below, since you can see the trigger guard screws quite well.

It looks like there's something funky with the screw holding the bolt-retaining switch/lever on the rear left of the receiver. Hopefully it just needs to be screwed down/tightened up.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Looks like the bolt stop pivot screw is about to fall out.

 

[Mustang51]

Looks like the bolt stop pivot screw is about to fall out.

Yep. First thing I'll need to do when it arrives is give everything a good going over

 

[jimmyraythomason]

First thing I'll need to do when it arrives is give everything a good going over

that is a very good idea with anything you buy online. The bottom metal appears to be inletted too deeply into the stock so be certain to check the quality of the entire bedding.

 

[Maverick223]

I agree with RC and Jimmy Ray...there are a few problems with that rifle, but nothing that should be either expensive or difficult to remediate. There is definitely something funky going one with the scope mounting; the scope does appear to be touching and the front ring appears to be well overtightened (much less gap than the rear one) so it could have damaged the tube. The pivot screw is loose or too long (unlikely as it appears to be the original), and the front of the bottom metal is obviously "off", this may cause the rifle to not feed reliably. I would also check to be sure that the bbl is floated, that will likely help accuracy with that hvy bbl.

All that said, providing it has a good barrel, it should be a shooter built on a solid action.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

All that said, providing it has a good barrel, it should be a shooter built on a solid action.

I totally agree. Nothing we have mentioned can't be easily fixed. It SHOULD be a very good shooter barring any unseen difficulties.

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks guys.

I didn't take anything that anyone said to heart. I didn't pay much for it and think that, barring a bad barrel, it should be about what I'm looking for to get into a .308.

I'll post better pics when I actually receive it.

Speaking of the barrel, I'm still curious about it. It is described as 27" and "hvy" with a " matte" finish. I suppose it could be anything, but does that ring a bell with anyone?

Thanks, again

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Mauser .308 win

This is my .308 winchester that I built on a Colombian M98 receiver. It shoots great!!!

 

[Maverick223]

That is a nice looking Mauser, Jimmy Ray, best of all it appears to get the job done. I, too, like my Mausers and consider them to be amongst the best hunting rifles ever made.

 

[Mustang51]

That is a very nice looking Mauser, JR. What kind of barrel does it have?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Funny you should ask Mustang51. It is a no-name used barrel bought off Gunbroker. I think I paid $60 for it. It is 24" in length and has a sporter contour. The bolt is from Parker Hale components. You may recognize the stock as a Remington M798 pull-off. It LOVES 150 grain SP Federal Power Shok (blue box) ammo. Recoil is almost none existant.

 

[dirtyjim]

as long as the magwell isn't touching the action its not bedded to deep. the stock could have just been very proud in that area, i have an old fajen stock that was at least 1/8" proud in the same area but the inletting was right. i just had the rasp it down then sand it smooth.
theres nothing on it that i think cant be be fixed.
the barrel looks to be a light varmint contour.

i think if the scope was swapped out for one with a matte finish and the stock reworked it would resemble the vietnam era sniper rifles

 

[jimmyraythomason]

as long as the magwell isn't touching the action its not bedded to deep.

Actually dirtyjim the receiver and bottom metal should be making contact in the front and the ferrule should be in place and contacting in the rear. What I meant by "too deep" was the fact that the stock had not been properly dressed down in that area making me wonder what other short cuts had been taken in fitting the stock.

 

[dirtyjim]

i prefer the magwell to have around a .015-.020 gap front & back. the front is rarley a problem and i always cut the rear ferrule to the give the correct gap at the rear.
i have about 4 feet of ferrule stock so it only takes about 5 minutes to measure and cut it on my lathe. then when i bed the action & triggergaurd i know its right.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

^^ that'll work dirtyjim,as long as you have metal to metal contact. This prevents excessive wood crush. I have the exact stock that is on the rifle pictured. There is indeed too much wood in that area.

 

[eastbank]

years ago when prices were alot better for actions and good gunsmith work,i built many 98 mauser hunting and bench shooting rifles. but as prices have skyrocketed up i have quit building rifles and have just bought factory rifles. here are two 700 vls rem. rifles i bought both used with very low round count,a .308 and a .223. they were not scoped when bought. i paid alittle less than 450.00 each. after cleaning and adjusting the triggers and scoping( a leupold 6.5x20 on the 308 and a older weaver T-10 on the 223). they are tack drivers with the right loads, less than 1 inch groups at 300yds. it may not be for every body, but it,s the cats meow for me. eastbank.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Nice Remingtons eastbank. Building your own has very little to do with the cost involved. As you say(and others)a commercial rifle with glass can be bought for less than the collective parts in a sporter. For me the rifle at the end is great but it's the journey there that keeps me coming back.

 

[eastbank]

jimmy, years ago i used alex hoyer(a good gunsmith and metal man here in pa.) in 1969 i bought a mint 98 german 8mm mauser for 34.00 from aurands for sports in lewistown pa. a shilian barrel for 79.00 and a stock from bishop for 40.00, the rebarreling cost 25.00,drill and tapping,bending bolt,safety change 25.00, and adjustable trigger 20.00(cheap timmley) the stock inletting was free from a friend and the blueing was 20.00 and i finished the stock myself. i had close to 250 in that rifle and i was making only 5.00 a hour than. i,m sure it would cost twice that or more today. so you are right the journey has to be a big part of it and having a one of a kind rifle. i have a FN number 6 single shot action i was thinking of building into a heavy bench gun, maybe next year.eastbank.

 

[Olympus]

Speaking of the barrel, I'm still curious about it. It is described as 27" and "hvy" with a " matte" finish. I suppose it could be anything, but does that ring a bell with anyone?

That could mean a variety a things, depending on who the person was who wrote the description. I guess they're calling it a heavy barrel because it's heavier than a typical sporter barrel, but it doesn't look as big as a target/varmint barrel.

As for "matte" to describe the finish, I'd say that's a little generous. From the pictures, it looks like it doesn't have any finish at all. Judging by what the barrel looks like as it joins the action, you can see the action still has bluing, but it almost looks like the barrel is just raw steel.

And I know someone mentioned the rings already. But it almost looks as if a low ring was used on the front a medium or high ring was used in the back. That would be why it looks like the bell of the scope is so low.

Either way, all of the things appear to be easily remedied. Shoot and enjoy. Post some more pictures when you can.

 

[Mustang51]

years ago i used alex hoyer(a good gunsmith and metal man here in pa.)

Alex Hoyer's work is still around. Last year I almost bought a 1917 rifle that had been sporterized and rebarreled in 6.5-300 WWH by Hoyer. It was a beautiful piece and later I was sorry that I didn't get it.

 

[Mustang51]

As for "matte" to describe the finish, I'd say that's a little generous. From the pictures, it looks like it doesn't have any finish at all. Judging by what the barrel looks like as it joins the action, you can see the action still has bluing, but it almost looks like the barrel is just raw steel.

I got this at an on-line estate sale, so I'm dealing with the uncertainty that comes with buying something sight unseen. That being said, I've always been happy with the items that I've gotten from this auction house and believe that there is some kind of "matte" finish on the barrel and that it is not raw steel.

I also got a Chilean Mauser (old military rifles are my real interest) at this auction: