Silly Question? Can I change a Mauser?

[samjoe]

I purchased a K.Kale Turkish Mauser at a gun show. It is an unaltered 8mm.
I read on the net that the bore/chamber could be changed to a different round by simply changing out the barrel.

Can you put a different barrel on this Mauser that would change the round caliber without having to change anything else in the rifle?

If not, then what else would have to be changed at the bare minimum?

 

[natman]

Yes, it's possible.

It's probably not worth the cost. Buy the time you buy a barrel and pay a gunsmith to install it you could buy a pretty decend new rifle such as a Stevens 200, Marlin XS7, etc.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Yes,I have a K.Kale Turk with a .280 Remington barrel on it. The K.Kale's are large ring M98s with small ring threads. If it is "unaltered" my suggestion is to leave it that way and get one that has already been altered for a project gun.

 

[samjoe]

So you are saying yes, i can just swap the barrel?
I have the tools to do it. it would just be the cost of the barrel.

 

[samjoe]

why wouldn't a mauser with a good 270 barrel match any other 270's accuracy or range?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

So you are saying yes, i can just swap the barrel?

I answered that with this:

Yes,I have a K.Kale Turk with a .280 Remington barrel on it.

why wouldn't a mauser with a good 270 barrel match any other 270's accuracy or range?

It certainly can but it'll take more than just swapping barrels to do it. If you are using a mil-surp action(as the K.Kale) you would need to lap the bolt while the barrel is off and polish the receiver raceways(for smoothness).etc,etc..

 

[R.W.Dale]

why wouldn't a mauser with a good 270 barrel match any other 270's accuracy or range?

Because there's more to a rifle's overall accuracy potential than the bbl alone

sighting system
trigger
stock
action "squareness"
amongst other factors

by which time you address all of these you're a long ways from "Can you put a different barrel on this Mauser that would change the round caliber without having to change anything else in the rifle? "

and this is before factoring in COST of materials and workmanship

I have the tools to do it. it would just be the cost of the barrel.

what tools do you have access to?

 

[Robert]

It can be done and if you are like me and want a caliber that none of the major makes produce anymore than why not do it? But If you are looking at a common chambering then I would say pick up a Savage or the like. Plenty accurate right out of the box and less hassle. Now if I could just get over wanting a 35 Whelen...

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Now if I could just get over wanting a 35 Whelen...

Gus,I'm thinking of a .35 Remington as my next Mauser project.

 

[Robert]

I have a VZ24 that is just waiting for a new stock, barrel and bolt. Now all I need is the money...

 

[rcmodel]

I have the tools to do it.

If you had the tools to do it, you wouldn't have ask if you could do it.

You need at a minimum:
1. Barrel vice.
2. Mauser Action wrench.
3. 36" (minimum) Lathe.
4. Chamber reamer & handle.
5. Headspace guages.
6. Depth micrometer and standard micrometer.
7. Enough gunsmith knowledge to know how to do it.

rc

 

[jimmyraythomason]

RC,if he buys a pre-threaded,short chambered barrel he can forego the lathe and micrometers( assuming he doesn't make a mistake and have to start over). The K.Kale,handguard ring is easily removed by hand.

 

[rcmodel]

This is true.
Still needs #7 though.

rc

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Still needs #7 though.

Agreed. I didn't see that in your post.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In general, any cartridge based on the 0.473" head diameter (7X57 Mauser, .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-06., 8X57 Mauser, .35 Whelen, etc.) will work. However, the magazine may need blocking for shorter rounds and opening for longer rounds.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I use both .280 Rem and .30-'06 without any lengthening and .308 Win. without any filler in standard length Mauser actions. I have no feeding problems. Yugo Mausers would likely have to be lengthened for the longer cartridges.

 

[samjoe]

I have an action wrench that will work and enough vises and clamps to "bubba" the old barrel of assuming it's not soldered or glued. If I get a Swedish small ring or small ring sport barrel what else would I need to know? If I break it, I only lost 60 bucks on the gun and doubtful i would break a newer barrel first (I will accept that risk). I just like little projects like this that keep me busy and are learning experiences.

 

[samjoe]

if it works I could mount a scope and put an aftermarket trigger on it. lap the bolt and I thought old mausers had some of the best actions ever (isn't that what they are famous for?)

 

[samjoe]

It's more of a project for me rather than trying to have the greatest custom rifle ever. I would spend more money golfing 18 holes 3 sundays in a month, have nothing to show for it, and get less entertainment out of it.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If you don't have a barrel vise,your next best option is to use a hydraulic press. That barrel is VERY tight and it can take a lot of force to break it loose.

 

[samjoe]

how big? I have a smaller hydrolic press.

I have a plasma cutter as well!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I have a plasma cutter as well!

You will have no need for that! The size of the press doesn't matter,it is how well it is secured that will make a difference.

 

[NCsmitty]

samjoe, here's a site that some folks consider a bubba site, but I learned how to D&T scope bases without a jig at the site and still use the method today. I do not consider myself a bubba.
Scroll down to the subject, Things To Do With a Turkish Mauser, and perhaps you can learn something too.
I have built a few Turk Mauser customs myself, and you won't save money if you cannot do the work yourself. Actually, to do it right, you'll be money ahead buying a commercial firearm as previously mentioned.

www.gswagner.com/




NCsmitty

 

[samjoe]

Thanks NCsmitty
This site is really neat and this bubba has some great ways for the DIY guys to learn some basic gunsmithing.

 

[Dr T]

Note the link on referenced on the aforementioned site:

http://www272.pair.com/stevewag/turk/turkmain.html