Old Mauser M/96 performance?

[Finnfire]

I have a change to buy a really old Swedish Mauser rifle in 6,5x55 and I'm wondering whether to pass it or take it (it's $200). It's made in 1900 and looks to be in pretty good 100% original shape overall.

My question is, what kind of accuracy can I realistically expect from a 112 years old gun? Should I be worried about the age of the rifle? What do you think about shooting ergonomics of this Mauser?

The plan is to use it for casual target shooting and maybe even hunt with it! Would you take it for that kind of use or is this kind of rifle only to please collectors..?

I have little experience with old military rifles: I've shot Mosin M44 (which was pain), and a Finnish Mosin M39 (pretty nice). I guess I would be happy with the old Mauser if it performs equal to Finnish M39 but with lower recoil and smoother action, but will it do that? For more serious shooting I have Tikka M65 in .308 and Mauser would be my second rifle if I decide to go that way.

 

[browningguy]

The '96 was a very good rifle, generally one of the more accurate of the milsurps. I would expect most of them are capable of 2-2.5MOA with decent ammo even now.

 

[Usertag]

I have checked these rifles out before, I don't think there worth it. Unless your looking for a deer rifle, but still there are better and cheaper options. Anyways the 6.5 round is pretty expensive compared to other rounds. The gun doesn't have much collective value either and you can get a Mosin-Nagant for $80. My final answer is NO.

 

[Morrell]

Dont listen to Usertag. The m96 is a very popular and highly thought of milsurp rifle. It is well known to have a slick action, low recoil, and superb accuracy. Go over to surplus rifle forum and see what they think!

Oh and for the condition you list, assuming it has not been sporterized, that is quite a good deal for 200.00

 

[Cosmoline]

$200 for an intact, non-bubbad Swede in good shape is an excellent deal. There is a disk on the stock which will indicate barrel condition.

The 6.5 Swede out of the original Mausers should be loaded with a heavy bullet and moderate charge. In this configuration it has more than enough killing power for elk and moose. The bullets are like crossbow bolts and will penetrate out of all proportion to their velocity.

The modern loads aren't always calibrated to the old barrel's twist rate, but if you handload a bit you can get excellent accuracy from these rifles. They are among the most accurate of all surplus arms.

if it performs equal to Finnish M39 but with lower recoil and smoother action, but will it do that?

Provided the bore is in reasonable shape, it will absolutely do that.

 

[Float Pilot]

My 112 year old Swede Mauser has won more than a few shooting matches. (see article from the NRA)
Most folks pay twice the price you are talking about.

http://www.nrablog.com/post/2010/05/30/Sixth-Annual-Mauser-Match-in-Homer-Alaska.aspx

 

[nutwit]

Three Mosin-Nagants would not equal 1 Swedish Mauser. Nice gun and great cartridge.
I would buy it.

 

[Baba Louie]

The plan is to use it for casual target shooting and maybe even hunt with it! Would you take it for that kind of use or is this kind of rifle only to please collectors..?

The old timer can even do serious target shooting if need be...

Is it a Carl Gustav or an Oberndorff mfg 1900? Either one is well worth the dollar value asked. Well worth it.

 

[threoh8]

When my eyes were younger, and before I shot the barrel out, my M96 (1908 Carl Gustafs) was sub-MOA with Norma, even-then-old Herters, handloads, and some of the Century loads. Thousands of rounds in NRA across-the-course matches finally got to the barrel.
I respect the Mosin, but I much prefer the Swede.

 

[Skyshot]

96 Swedish Mauser is tops!

 

[valnar]

I believe a Swedish Mauser is one of the top two bolt action military surplus rifles around - not just the rifle, but the 6.5x55 cartridge. The other is the Swiss K31.

At $200 it is a good deal.

 

[tryshoot]

Well worth it.

 

[kennedy]

my m96 was made in 1903 and I reload for it, it was my most accurate rifle untill I bought my rem 700. It is my favorite mil surplus to take to the range. since my eyes are getting old I replaced the rear sight with a scope mount so I can once again enjoy it.

 

[Phaethon]

I have checked these rifles out before, I don't think there worth it. Unless your looking for a deer rifle, but still there are better and cheaper options. Anyways the 6.5 round is pretty expensive compared to other rounds. The gun doesn't have much collective value either and you can get a Mosin-Nagant for $80. My final answer is NO.

I can also buy a steel tube, hammer, and nail for 20$ and make a gun out of it. That does not make it preferable above the Swede.

Usertag clearly has no appreciation for fine rifles - the Swedish M96's are excellently built guns with a reputation for accurate target shooting. The ballistic coefficient of the 6.5x55mm round is extremely high, and thus it's an amazingly flat shooting cartridge at very long ranges, but it still packs a reasonably good punch. These rifles have a great history behind them, and if it's got a barrel and muzzle in good condition (which you made no mention of) then $200 is an absolute steal. The M96 is a great Mauser derivative, with a very slick action, owing to its Mauser-style cock-on-closing bolt. As far as surplus rifles go, the only more accurate rifle I can think of is a Swiss K31.

I would buy it in a heartbeat. I see most these days going for $350-400.

 

[Curator]

Made in 1900, does it say "Obendorf" or "Carl Gustav?" Seriously in either case a non-bubba-ed M96 Swede mauser is worth $350-400 minimum most places in the US because they are sweet shooting rifles. Easy to reload for and accurate without spending a lot of $$$ at the local gunsmith. I have 4 of them and they are hands down one of the best military surplus rifles you can buy. Actually it is like getting a $2000 craftsman-made rifle for $200. They don't make them like that anymore and probably never will again.

 

[WYOMan]

I have 3. I Love them, and the 6.5X55. It is easy to load for and it and the swede's are more accurate than I ever will be. They are smooth as silk and very well built. The fit and finish on them rivals many sporting models. When I hunt deer and antelope, the 6.5 Swede is all I need. $200, is a steal, even if it isn't all matching.

 

[303tom]

For 200 bucks, hell Ill take it, great rifles don`t pass that up............

 

[gunner69]

Grab It!!!!!! You can get great shooting, cheap, FMJ OR softpoint, PRIVI ammo and the cases ARE reloadable. If you don't want it let me know how to contact the guy selling it....... I'll buy it in a heartbeat!!!!!

 

[Bushpilot]

I'm sure by now you get the idea, these really are great rifles. They were extreamly well made, among the highest quality military bolt guns ever. The Mosin may be servicable but it isn't even in the same league as the Swede let alone the same ballpark. I have an early M96 and a 1940's M38. The M96 is slightly better in terms of fit and finish but the M38 is shorter and handier. The big difference between the two from a shooting standpoint is the M96 sights are only graduated down to 300 meters so expect it to shoot about 4 or 5 inches high at 100. The M38 sights are graduated down to 100. Now to answer your question about accuracy; the average M96 in good shape will shoot better than most people are able to use the open iron sights they came with, myself included. Nevertheless, I have shot numerous 1.5 to 2 inch groups off a bench with mine. I would expect a good, scoped M96 to shoot around 1 to 1.5 inch groups but would never ruin the originality by having it drilled and tapped. Pretty darn good for a 100 year old rifle. $200 is a very good price if the bore is good.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

If you reload, I recall seeing that Lapua brass is a lot cheaper for this cartridge than it is for others.

 

[denton]

I have a Gustavs 6.5x55 and I think it is probably as well made as any rifle I own. As a concession to old eyes, mine wears Mojo sights as its only modification. I can routinely do 2" groups at 100 yards, which isn't bad for a 1917 firearm with iron sights and 68 year old eyes.

The Swede is arguably the best made, most accurate, and most pleasant to shoot milsurp.

 

[303tom]

I have a Gustavs 6.5x55 and I think it is probably as well made as any rifle I own. As a concession to old eyes, mine wears Mojo sights as its only modification. I can routinely do 2" groups at 100 yards, which isn't bad for a 1917 firearm with iron sights and 68 year old eyes.

The Swede is arguably the best made, most accurate, and most pleasant to shoot milsurp.

You said a mouthful there buddy..............I love mine, they (ARE) the most accurate milsurps I have, bar none.

 

[Coyote3855]

I've been in the market for one of these. Prices I see for decent ones are $400 and up. Way up. I'd give $200 in a heartbeat.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

With handloads you will be AMAZED as to how accurate these rifles can be. I have numerous times wringed out groups so small I won't even mention here because people would not believe it. I kept the targets for my own enjoyment and boasting to those priveliged enough to enter my man cave.

Buy it, now, hurry up!

 

[AntiSpin]

I bought one from a friend because it had a scope mounted, and it was becoming difficult for me to use iron sights.

I was astounded at the accuracy, and the action is a marvel to work. Those who use them for hunting report, almost universally, that they are very effective on deer-size game.

I found, however, that my usual manner of working the bolt with the left hand, which had worked for decades for this lefty, became quite awkward once I had to reach over a scope.

I very reluctantly sold it to a friend and bought a left-handed bolt 30-06 instead. I still have the reloading dies I bought for it, and reload for the friend I sold it to, so I still have some connection to it. (sigh)