Old school meets new school - Long Range 30'06

[cprher]

I have a custom 1909 Argentine Mauser heavy game rifle in 9.3X62mm that I no longer need. But selling such a beast is at best a losing proposition. Simply put, I'd loose my shirt. So I've decided to take a different approach and instead build a long range 30'06 on the platform.





The rifle will have the barrel pulled, then a stainless Kreiger tube fitted with the same contour, but 26" rather than 22". The bottom metal is Blackburn +1, the safety is a Dakota and the bolt handle is a Model 70 configuration. The scope mounts will remain Warne Maxima, but the scope will be a Leupold 3.5-10X40 with a B&C reticle. This is a minimalist approach that will require that I rebed the stock only under the chamber area of the barrel, leaving the rest alone. Due to the stock being a McMillan CZ Express, the magazine holds 6 rather than 5 rounds, and since it was a heavy game rifle the stock has Magnum fill throughout, both for strength/durability and for balance.

I'll give you all an update once the I've tested the rifle at the range.

Keith

 

[chicharrones]

Are you building a different rifle from scratch or are you modifying the rifle in the photos?

I'd have a hard time modifying such a fine hunting machine as you have there.

 

[mrh477]

Beautiful rifle. That's gotta be one of the finest Mauser sporters I've seen. Kinda sad to see it changed at all but if you have no use for the 9.3x62mm (and in North America I see no use for it excluding bears and moose) then what else is there. I would also think that selling it is a losing situation unless you find a really specific buyer who just loves the rifle, which would be tough. Looking forward to seeing how this project comes along.

 

[Bart B.]

I've known a few folks using FN or other Mauser 98 type actions in long range match rifles that shot good scores with them.

None had a bedding pad under the barrel; totally free floated barrels are best.

A couple had strips of metal removed from the firing pin to reduce lock time. A stronger firing pin spring also helps.

I think that scope's got 52 MOA of adjustment range. That means it'll have 26 MOA up adjustment if it aligns to the bore axis in standard rings with the adjustments zeroed. 30-06 ammo needs 35 to 45 MOA elevation on the sight to zero at 1000 yards. That's long range for most folks.

If that's your objective, you'll need a 20 MOA rail and tings to tilt your scope axis down that much to use its adjustments realistically.

 

[cprher]

I'm modifying the rifle rather than building a new one. I'll sell the existing 9.3x62mm barrel to help defray some of the cost of the build. Everything else such as scope I have.

The 3.5-10X40 scope has a Boone and Crockett reticle that is designed for 200/300/400/450/500 yards, but can be sighted in for 300/400/500/550/600 as well. I don't need a rifle for 1000 since I already have a 30'06 match rifle for that type of shooting.


Keith

 

[jmr40]

That has potential to be both functional and beautiful.

 

[cprher]

I'm thinking of it as a traditional approach to a Remington Long Range, or a modern version of a British Express rifle. Same place in space from different directions.
Keith

 

[Nature Boy]

I can't wait to see it.