Mauser Project

[telecaster1981]

Hey Guys,

I found an M48A Mauser at a pawn shop a while back with what was described as having a 'dark' bore. After looking it over, I decided to take a chance. The wood was perfect and the bluing was close to 100%. Also, the rifling appeared to be strong.

Initially, accuracy was ridiculous...so I spent some time polishing the bore with paste. I also polished the crown a bit, as there were some imperfections. To make a long story short, it's turned out to be a decent shooter, but I'd like a bit more accuracy. I'm currently getting about 10" groups for 9 shots at 150 yards with most of them within 6" but some going outside of 10" as well. That's not really good enough for my tastes.

I'm looking at a few options:

1.) Try filling the pitting in the barrel with moly bore cream and see if the accuracy improves.

2.) Find an aftermarket barrel that will fit in the standard military stock. I don't mind modifying the barrel channel. The lower priced variety looks good, ie Adams & Bennett, Green Mountain.

3.) Get another original Mauser barrel from Numrich. Will this even work? Seems like headspacing could be an issue, among others.

4.) Adopt better reloading techniques??? The 8mm brass I'm using has been used SEVERAL times, but I'm not sure that it would have such a dramatic effect on my accuracy...any experienced reloader's input is more than welcome. I don't feel my handloading procedures are faulty...the loads I make for my 03-A3 shoot MOA or better consistently, but perhaps it's time for new brass...

Any ideas you all have are much appreciated!

 

[Mauserguy]

I'm not an accurizing expert, but I think that it may pay to look into shimming the receiver and clearing the barrel channel. I know that sometime the wood on older guns will compress, causing pressure to be exerted on the receiver and barrel. As you shoot the rifle, the pressure shifts causing stingers. Do some research with this.

Additionally, I might add that a ten inch group at 150 yards isn't all that bad for a short rifle with iron sights, questionable ammo and a dark bore. It sounds like a pretty good little shooter.
Mauserguy

 

[telecaster1981]

Mauserguy,

You're right, 10" is not bad per se, but I love my Mauser to death in all other regards and I just wish the accuracy was as good as the rest of it! I've got a ton of other rifles, many of them exceptionally accurate, but none of them feel as good to me as the Mauser. My goal is to make this my "go-to" gun.

Also, I forgot to mention that I bedded the stock and installed a set of Mojo Micro Click sights (HUGE improvement over the stock sights).