Sporterized German Mauser

[Bart B.]

The M1909 Argentine Mausers in 7.65 caliber made by DWM were among the best quality military rifles made. Several were sold in the USA during the mid '70's with sporterized stocks but rechambered to 30-06. All those I checked were in pristine condition.

I had to use .312" (.313" if available) bullets for best accuracy in their .3125" groove diameter barrels. The 7.65 AM bullet is .313" diameter. 30-06 cases bulged a lot at their pressure ring as the chamber at that point was a few thousandths larger than standard 30-06 chambers. Neck sizing their fired cases was the safe thing to do

 

[mgmorden]

Beautiful rifle you have there. When done right without cutting corners old Mauser actions make for some excellent sporting rifles. A lot of people would say you can get a new rifle for less money, but honestly none of the current budget rifles hold a candle to them feature-wise (synthetic vs walnut, plastic or aluminum parts vs all-steel, push feed vs controlled feed, etc).

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

Thanks for the heads up on the 7.65. From what I've read and also according to the smith who did the d&t this is a 2 groove 1903 barrel that was cut and altered when commercially sporterized. Fortunately I haven't run into any issues with bulged cases.



Thanks. This is a sweet rifle, shoots nice groups with the timney trigger too. I definately prefer it to the newer stuff, the only problem is now I want to do one in .308

 

[1KPerDay]

That is just gorgeous. where did you get the safety that works with a scope? Lovely work on the stock.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

That is just gorgeous. where did you get the safety that works with a scope? Lovely work on the stock.

Thank you, here's the safety. It didn't require any fitting.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...mney-m98-safety-sku883804098-13149-31707.aspx

 

[eastbank]

the only converted 98 german mauser i own now, is a rifle in original 8mm caliber. its a nice rifle and shoots very well, tho a bit heavy by todays standards. i paid 265.00 for it at public auction and think i got a very good deal and rifle.. to get the same work done today would be too prohibitive, stock-glass bed-fit and finish- 200.00, bend bolt-D&T-new safety-150.00-reblue 100.00. total about 450.00. i bought a used rem 721 in 3006 in very good condition for 300.00 at a gun show last year. eastbank.

 

[eastbank]

pic of the rifle. eastbank.

 

[kBob]

Just went to look at an old Gun Digest to check "catalog Prices " and the year I pulled an old parts K98 from the barrel of such at WoolCo for $35 the cheapest American made hunting rifle was the Remington 788 at $89.99. The Savage 110 was actually $110.

While I left my mauser pretty much original (top handguard is no longer correct and I cold blued it a LONG time ago) a lot got the hack saw, file, wood rasp and sand paper applied. Guys they were loose banging about in an open top wooden barrel.......literally.

Oh and corrosive berdan FMJ was in 15 round card board boxes for $0.89 stacked up right next to the barrel o' rifles. US made non corrosive SP boxer ammo was bought in very limited quantities just incase a deer staggered out in front of me. The rifle lived in the trunk of my then ten year old big American car with tail fins most of the time.

-kBob

 

[chicharrones]

That is a stunningly good lookin' sporter, DoubleSawbuck. Well done. Very, well done.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

Just went to look at an old Gun Digest to check "catalog Prices " and the year I pulled an old parts K98 from the barrel of such at WoolCo for $35 the cheapest American made hunting rifle was the Remington 788 at $89.99. The Savage 110 was actually $110.

While I left my mauser pretty much original (top handguard is no longer correct and I cold blued it a LONG time ago) a lot got the hack saw, file, wood rasp and sand paper applied. Guys they were loose banging about in an open top wooden barrel.......literally.

Oh and corrosive berdan FMJ was in 15 round card board boxes for $0.89 stacked up right next to the barrel o' rifles. US made non corrosive SP boxer ammo was bought in very limited quantities just incase a deer staggered out in front of me. The rifle lived in the trunk of my then ten year old big American car with tail fins most of the time.

-kBob

I missed out, I was born way too late to see deals as good as that.

Thanks for the compliment Chicharrones

 

[GBExpat]

... Guys they were loose banging about in an open top wooden barrel.......literally. ...

My memories of The Wooden Barrels are from Mason's Department Store in Hampton, VA.

I can still see it in my mind's eye. Enter the store, advance past the checkers and hang a left ... the Sporting Goods department was in the front corner.

They had 2 big wooden barrels full of milsurp rifles and 2 wooden boxes full of milsurp pistols.

IIRC, the pistols were $5 more than the rifles ... the prices were either $10 & $15 or $15 & $20. The '68GCA put an end to such wonderfulness.

"Uncle" Somebody gave my maternal grandfather an uncut BringBack K98k which he gifted me in 1968 (after I found some of those 15rd boxes of German ammo in a surplus store in Augusta, GA). That rifle represented my entry into the excellent hobby of hand-/re-loading.

 

[Nature Boy]

I really like the old war horses transformed into beautiful, useful and accurate hunting rifles. I could see where owning them could become habit forming

 

[kBob]

chich,

Man I almost did not recognize you with out the hat!

OP,

Got so wrapped up in story telling I forgot to say how nice your rifle is and I would not mind having it at all.

-kBob