Donor rifle for 45acp Mauser conversion

[fireman 9731]

I have been wanting to do a 45acp Mauser conversion from Rhineland Arms for a while now but haven't happened onto a good donor rifle until recently.

A local shop has a 308 Spanish Mauser for a good price. I know the Yugo actions are not good for conversions but I haven't heard anything about the Spanish actions.

Anybody have any experience with the conversions?

 

[Kp321]

It depends. Some of the Spanish 308's were on 95 actions which have smaller barrel threads than 98's so the conversion barrel wouldn't fit. Another Spanish 308 is the FR-8 which is too nice to cut up, IMHO.
What is the problem with the Yugo actions?

 

[BBBBill]

...It depends. Some of the Spanish 308's were on 95 actions which have smaller barrel threads than 98's so the conversion barrel wouldn't fit...

The conversions are available for either style action, small ring or large ring.

 

[fireman 9731]

I believe its a 1916 re-chambered to 308. Rhineland sells kits with small ring and large ring options.

The yugos aren't good because of the bolt face and feed ramp designs. They say the K98, Czech Vz22-Vz24 and Turkish Mausers are best for conversions but there is no mention of the Spanish Mausers.

 

[desidog]

its a 1916 re-chambered to 308

Hmm, those aren't really safe to shoot anyways, so go for it!

 

[fireman 9731]

That was my thinking as well.

 

[fireman 9731]

Well I got it this evening. $115. I hope it works. It's in very good shape.

 

[Hot]

Old Mauser

I have one of those 1916 Spanish Mauser's in 308 bought back in 1992. They were originally all 7mm Mauser. I have put down many deer, and wild pigs with it. Months after I retired it I read it wasn't safe to shoot 308 in it. I am going to re barrel it one day. Probably 7.62 X 39, safer for that old gun, and cheaper to shoot. It would be interesting to see one in 45 ACP.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I guess my question is why?

I guess my question is why?

I'm not trying to be snide,,,
I'm just very curious as to why one would convert to that cartridge.

If it's a matter of "why not?",,,
I'm on board with it.

I'm simply curious is all.

Aarond

.

 

[fireman 9731]

Why?

I like neat stuff.

A pistol caliber rifle is the near perfect gun for the type of shooting I do around the house. Its a sturdy classic military style bolt action that takes readily available magazines in a caliber that I can reload cheaply in a variety of configurations from quiet cat sneeze loads all the way up to near 460 Rowland loads if I wanted to.

Its reasonably low cost as well. I have $115 invested in the donor rifle. One could easily find cheaper options I'm sure. Then the conversion kit costs $160. So for less that $300 I've got a sweet shooter using common parts, shooting a readily available round that wont blow my ear drums out and recoil will be minimal.

45acp power in a sturdy package with 22lr noise and recoil.

I would like to hear any disadvantages if anyone has any.

 

[fireman 9731]

http://www.troupsystems.com/MAUSER/mauser_conversions.htm

Here is the link if anyone is interested.

 

[VThillman]

It's going to 'lob' 230 gr. bullets - but that's not necessarily a disadvantage. I wish you luck with the conversion and joy with the result.

 

[fireman 9731]

Yep, it will have the original military adjustable sights. I plan on using them. Seems like everybody nowadays wants a flat shooting laser. While that might be nice for some, I grew up learning holdovers with a Red Rider BB gun and then cut my teeth on a 45-70. I like the lob

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I've been looking for a 45ac rifle or carbine for plinking. My tennis elbow won't let me shoot the 45's any more, but I love the caliber and have tons of components.

 

[triggerman770]

you could punch it up with .460 Rowland. willfit an acp chamber

 

[fireman 9731]

Rhineland will ream your chamber for 45 Winchester Magnum for an extra 10 bucks. I'm not sure of the specs for each of those compared to 45acp, but the action should be able to take all the pressure you can get out of a 45acp, the brass would probably be the weak link. I heard of a guy somewhere trimming 460 Rowland brass down to 45acp length and using it because the case head is considerably stronger.