Won rifle auction. Thoughts???

[Ccctennis]

I have been in the market for a 7mm mag for a while. I usually lurk around gunbroker until I find what I want and then jump in the auction.

I don't know much about what I just won except it is a 7mm mag!

Anyone habe experience with these British rifles?

Here is the link to the gun. Did I do ok on price? I liked the condition of it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=484802006

 

[Redstate]

Nice looking rifle! Congrats! I love the checkering on the stock

 

[WNTFW]

It kind of doesn't matter since you already bought it.

I'd say unless it is a dog of a shooter you got a nice classic rifle for a good price. Now have a cup of tea and gloat over it. I don't think you could do any better for the money and is kind of neat being something of a by gone era. I know nothing of the brand. It's just cool. Congrats!

 

[clearcut]

It's a mauser action with a 7mm bbl I got one in 30-06 the stock fell apart in short order.The 1st owner fell out of a boat and dropped it on a hunting trip,it must have cracked at that time.With a new houge stock it's back in good shape.They were imported circa 1972 to a company in L.A. and sold for about $175 with a scope (mine was gone)they had sites as well (yours don't).Have some fun with it,mine may have had 20 rnds. shot when I got it.I did a ladder test and found a good load now she is shooting sweet .How bout a range report?? when you shoot it?
CC

 

[cprher]

Not much info available

This rifle was more than likely imported by A.D. Heller of Baldwin, N.Y. It is a fairly typical late model Mauser rifle made by Zastava Arms in Kragujevac, Serbia whose production ended in 2013. You can verify this by taking the action out of the stock and looking below the stock line on the left side of the action on the rear tang. If a Zastava it is the same rifle as sold to Whitworth in England, BSA in England and Interarms as the Mark X. While many if not most Mauser cognoscente look down their noses at these guns as not being "real" Mausers, or at least not up to Mauser's usual quality standards, I disagree. After WWII Zastava made the Model 48, considered by many as one of the best Mauser rifles ever made for the military. I've built a large variety of custom Mauser rifles over the years to include 1909 Argentine, FN Commercial and Zastava and the latter are every bit as nice when finished properly as any of the others and often with far less effort. However, while I'm not familiar with this particular company the rifle in question looks identical to many Interarms rifles I've handled in the past. I used one identical to it as a donor rifle for one of my 458 Win Mag builds. I ended up selling off all the parts (minus the action) for more than I paid for the rifle and from my careful examination, all the parts were first rate in quality, to include the barrel. I have no doubt that if loaded carefully, the gun will perform.
Keith

 

[jmr40]

Basically an Interarms MK-X. They have been imported and sold under may different names in the USA as well as other countries. Most recently in this country as the Remington 798.

They are a rugged, reliable design based on the Mauser action. Some are better finished than others and the actions are often used as the basis for custom builds.

 

[bannockburn]

Ccctennis

Nice looking vintage rifle of the Mauser variety. Let us know how it fares at the range.

 

[Ccctennis]

Thanks for the education. I'm excited to start working up some loads for it. I guess I need to start stalking some brass! Headed to North Dakota end of the year on a hunt and this might just be what I take with me!

 

[sage5907]

If the recoil pad is hard I would have a gunsmith install a Pachmayr Decelarator 752B medium black 1 inch pad and the cost would be under $100. If the trigger does not work out Timney makes a really good trigger for a Mauser commercial action and it has a side safety. I have one on a Mauser Supreme which is similar and the cost would be about $120 and you could install it yourself. If your rifle turns out to be accurate those two changes would really improve your shooting enjoyment.

 

[Bullseye]

Resembles a Howa 1500 pretty closely from what I can see. They are decent rifles.

 

[HankB]

Interesting in that the proof mark appears to specify 19.5 tons . . . that's only 39000 pounds. Even in the case of British long tons (2240 pounds) that's only 43680 pounds. (presumably per square inch.) Seems to be low chamber pressure for a 7mm Remington mag proof load - well below normal factory ammo - unless the Brits are using a completely different methodology.

 

[Dr.Rob]

That stock screams "70's America" but it looks like a decent working rifle. The Checkering is not up to "English" standards. It's not a high end bit of work and it's been worn, refinished over the wear. I would suspect the stock didn't ship with the rifle. The recoil pad was installed poorly or the spacer is squeezing out from the pilot holes being undersized.

If it shoots well and you like it, that's all that matters. If that's all you paid for it, that's a solid action and a deal.

If it was mine, I'd have the floor plate and trigger guard refinished (maybe a durable Cerakote). And I'd swap out the stock to something more "English" or European looking, or at a minimum strip it of that varnish and oil finish it.

 

[Clint M]

It should make a fine hunting rifle, and I don't see how you could get an up to date Mauser action rifle in 7mm mag any cheaper than you just did. I wouldn't worry one bit about the name either, if it's indeed a Zastava all the better, and when used for hunting if you bump it, or it gets wet etc you will not be heart broken over a expensive name/parts.

If I were you I would take it down clean it well seal all the inletting area, and under the buttpad (if accessible) use the oil of your choice. If it were mine I think I would refinish the stock stain it dark, and use a good oil finish and have one awesome hunting rifle fit for anything in North America being able to reach out and lay the deadwood on game. I was thinking of a 7mm mag myself, however I have neck problems and settled on a 7mm-08...if you have a hard time finding brass let me know I purchased 2 bags of Winchester 7mm mag brass and a sleeve of 7mm bullets before my project fell apart...

Edit to add the good Doctor above posted just about what I was thinking stock wise. You may be happy with it just like it is, but a nice stock would make that unit look so much better not to mention maybe fit you better as well. I have seen some awesome deals for Mauser stock with high grade wood called seconds because of flaws in the wood, however they can be finished with oil and most will never see or know it, or you may get lucky and find a used McMillan. That rifle makes me want to find a project Mauser style in need of a stock or stock finish !!

 

[Garrobo]

Sporterized

M98 Mauser. Looking at the bottom of the bolt knob I'd think that it is probably a WWII rifle.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I like the look, 70's or not. I would scope it, work up a load and enjoy it.

 

[Ccctennis]

What aftermarket stocks would you recommend?

 

[cprher]

Bell and Carlson

One of my Mausers now wears a Bell and Carlson Carbolite stock. Very well made with a high comb to get behind the scope. It's the one on the bottom of the photo below:



Keith

 

[Ccctennis]

Is stock replacment a DIY project or will I need a gunsmith? I'm fairly handy but haven't had a need to tinker with my current arsenal. I have been reloading for the past 4 years and haven't gotten into older guns till now!


Just checked out bell and Carlson site. Which action is this gun. Assuming long action since it is 7mm?

 

[Clint M]

CccTennis

I will let other with more Mauser knowledge than myself answer your model info etc. As to aftermarket stocks, and work involved you have so many choices as Mauser is many gunsmiths started out on years ago when surplus was high, and the dollar was still worth a dollar. The problem will be choosing who to get a stock from it seems most every aftermarket stock manufacture makes a Mauser inlet in many styles. As to the work involved some are drop in ready, others will need some very minor fitting work, and finishing, while yet others will need major inlet work along with major finish work (in the rough) so be sure to pick a stock that will fit your needs, along with your skill set, if this is your first stock a drop in stock synthetic, or a drop in walnut that just needs finishing will be a good first project. Warning it's addictive !! and all else being said the gun is perfectly functional looking as is, so take your time whatever you decide. Lots of info on oil finishing stocks and stock work on the net.

 

[clang]

The stock was refinished and the checkering was sanded down to almost smooth. It could use a re-checkering job if you are going to keep the stock on it.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

There is no cut out for stripper clip use so it is a commercial receiver and not a surplus action rebuild. The bolt handle could easily have been military surplus though.

 

[cprher]

You're on the wrong track

The flat and checkered bolt knob is one of the signature features of the Zastava commercial mauser. There is not a military part in that gun. Pure commercial all the way.

Regarding the Bell and Carlson stock in the picture above. The barreled action and bottom metal you have will drop right in with little to no fitting. Brownell's has several DIY bedding kits and videos on how to do a credible job are easily found on Youtube. You'll need a set of alignment action screws to do the job properly and a Dremel tool to rough up the stock to ensure complete adhesion of the bedding material. Take your time and you'll come out with a very nice gun. Bed the entire action from rear tang to 1" in front of the action. Free float the rest of the barrel.

Keith

 

[Ccctennis]

The gun arrived today and looks fantastic. The stock is nicer than I thought. I will still probably change it out as it has a small hairline crack from the magazine box to the forearm. What do the tons measurment on the barrel stand for? I'm assuming some sort of Max pressure? What does it equate to?

 

[cprher]

The 19.5 refers I believe to British Long Tons of pressure per square inch. That equates to 43680 pounds per square inch of pressure according to http://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/long-tons-to-pounds.htm. However, that seems very low for a 7mm Remington Magnum which normally operates in the 60000 PSI range.

 

[Ccctennis]

Should I start with light loads for it? Should I have a gunsmith look at it? Or since the gun is pretty old it was fine back in the day?