My experience with my 8mm mauser

[David Milisock]

I have 1 sporterized Mauser and one sporterized Mauser turned into a custom rifle.

I have 2 sporterized 03's and 1 custom 03, I have 2 03 barreled actions awaiting my decisions. I have one model 1917 Remington. I have 2 shooter grade M1 Carbines, a shooter grade SKS.

My first rule is to research any older military rifle I have and to either sell off the collector parts or the entire rifle to a dedicated collector.

My sporterized 8x57 JS (as told to me by a Mauser enthusiast) is a Yugo made on NAZI machinery. It was already bastardized when I got it, aftermarket trigger, milled magazine follower, peep site and barrel cut to 22 inches and a RAM Line stock. I paid $125 and it shoots like a dream. My other Mauser is a custom 450 Marlin, I paid $50 for it originally.

They're a great rifles if they're been minimally maintained. If they're collector grade, in ,y opinion they should be treated with respect.

 

[Ggmac]

I have sporterized Mausers since 1965.
The book on Mausers by R. A. Walsh says to not sporterize Mausers with all matching serial numbers.

I have sporterized (4) Mauser and (1) Mosin in the last year.

The important thing is to keep having fun and put pictures on the forums.

I like your bolt handles , did you buy them or make ?

 

[Clark]

I like your bolt handles , did you buy them or make ?

I make wooden bolt handles for Rem700s, but I like welded or forged for Mausers.
I paid the late gunsmith Randy Ketchum to weld a big quantity. I got my brother to weld some, and I have bought some off the internet. I forged over a dozen Mauser bolt handles in 2002. I have got some from ebay.

 

[ebb]

Clark it never crossed my mind to make a wood bolt handle, neat idea!! Ive got some purple heart i need to make one.

 

[Iheart2ndAmendment]

I have sporterized Mausers since 1965.
The book on Mausers by R. A. Walsh says to not sporterize Mausers with all matching serial numbers.

I have sporterized (4) Mauser and (1) Mosin in the last year.

The important thing is to keep having fun and put pictures on the forums.

Those are all very nice!

 

[Iheart2ndAmendment]

These days anyone who contemplates cutting up a 100% military Mauser should think twice about it imo.

I didn't cut anything up. If I so choose, I could easily put the military stock back on. I didn't alter the barrel or receiver.

 

[Iheart2ndAmendment]

I make wooden bolt handles for Rem700s, but I like welded or forged for Mausers.
I paid the late gunsmith Randy Ketchum to weld a big quantity. I got my brother to weld some, and I have bought some off the internet. I forged over a dozen Mauser bolt handles in 2002. I have got some from ebay.

I do believe my bolt handle is welded like that.

 

[FNSafari]

I didn't cut anything up. If I so choose, I could easily put the military stock back on. I didn't alter the barrel or receiver.

Great approach!

 

[Clark]

If you want to make wooden bolt handles, you may want to consider steel threaded inserts.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/97435804?gclsrc=aw.ds&product_id=nv&rd=k&pcrid=183709198547&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmpyRBhC-ARIsABs2EApKdC2C9rAf3EPQKbMIYB4_8sfnj7JCmBvHiOTCAATvyne_oQX5ooYaAlWJEALw_wcB&mkwid=sHIXJvq0j%7Cdc&cid=ppc-google-Returning+-+Threading+-+DSA

 

[Iheart2ndAmendment]

I have sporterized Mausers since 1965.
The book on Mausers by R. A. Walsh says to not sporterize Mausers with all matching serial numbers.

I have sporterized (4) Mauser and (1) Mosin in the last year.

The important thing is to keep having fun and put pictures on the forums.

I agree, the idea of a forum is building a community based on shared interests. If people are rude and distasteful you can just go to a forum where people aren't that way.

If your not having fun, then what's the point?

 

[Iheart2ndAmendment]

Don't expect much for accuracy or repeatability with a bipod clamped around the barrel. Other than that, nice looking rig.

I ended getting this Harris bipod on Amazon for 25 dollars. It clamps on to the strap eyelet. It's actually really sturdy for being about half the price.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Its your rifle, Do with it what you darn well please, I get tired of these relic worshippers saying you ruined a peice of history. They made millions of these peices of history. You made your rifle more usable and you made it what you wanted it to be. I have so called "butchered" dozens of milsurps, Because that's what I wanted to do, Its my rifle, Its worth more to me the way I like it. They have won long range matches from time to time and will shoot with the best of the most modern firearms if you use a top tier barrel and components. Your rifle looks good.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Gmac is right about the Spanish Mausers being of questionable quality, You may have a decent one? Have you checked the headspace? The model 98 Large ring Spanish mausers like yours are a bit better than the old model 93 and model 95 small ring Spanish mausers, Those are not really worth messing with in my opinion. If you decide to continue honing your skills, Do a barrel replacement and once you have the old barrel off you can inspect the locking lug embuttments to check for setback. For your first barrel swap you can get a short chambered barrel and set the headspace by hand reaming. Something to consider. The 8mm mauser cartridge is a much better round than most people give it credit for, And it is equal with the 30-06, And is used in Europe the same way the 30-06 is used here.