Dads old 30.06 rifle

[RCBS Junky]

I inherited a 30.06 rifle many years ago from my father. My father had a sporting goods store in Indiana, and he told me he use to build these guns for customers back in the 40’s-50’s. I lost all his information. Now he has passed away, I still have this 30.06 rifle and would like to know if anyone could help me figure out how it was built. I believe it’s a Mauser 98 action, I don’t know the custom barrel. My father also added his own stocks. Thanks so much for all or any info.

 

[jmm03]

Personally I think you are lucky to have such a fine piece built by your father, it looks like he did a very good job. Back in the day when people didn't have hundreds of dollars to spend on a tool to feed their family, it was common to buy a surplus military Mauser or 03 Springfield and turn it into a very serviceable hunting rifle. It could be as simple as cutting down the military stock and maybe adding a receiver sight, or as your rifle appears, drilling and tapping, and adding a scope, rebluing the action and barrel, fitting and checkering a stock, etc. Hard to really say exactly how it was built, the markings on the receiver can give you an idea of what kind of action it is, (if they are still visible), the barrel if it is not the original military barrel probably would be hard to identify if it does not have a makers mark on it somewhere, Douglas comes to mind as a noted maker of reasonably priced barrels from a few years back. A good cleaning and oiling, a check of the headspace, a trip to the range, and you probably have a rifle that will still be a keeper in another 100 years.

 

[boltfluter]

Bueler rings and bases where top of the line in their day. A very nice rifle for that time period.
Paul

 

[Jeff Porter]

Was it in Ossian Indiana ? I have a Mauser that was sporterized into a .243 ( now wearing a .308 barrel). If I recall correctly, the .243 had a name and Ossian IN stamped on it.

 

[Adam in WI]

Well, it's not a military action. That much is easy to spot. Could be a FN, Zastava, etc... I'm not well versed on identifying those.

 

[clowdis]

Was it in Ossian Indiana ? I have a Mauser that was sporterized into a .243 ( now wearing a .308 barrel). If I recall correctly, the .243 had a name and Ossian IN stamped on it.

I've been in that shop in Ossian, IN. but many years ago. The place made an impression.

 

[outasite`08]

Nice gun. My Dad had a Fajen stock installed on his Rem. 721 in the `50s that looks exactly like that. Take care of that keeper. Jeff

 

[Liven The Dream]

FN 300 or 400 Sold Sears back in the day.

That Action is as good as it gets.................................

 

[ebb]

I am curious about the screws in the receiver in front of the bolt handle. I've seen this for a receiver sight or a side mounted scope but always on the left side for a right-handed rifle. Any idea what these were for? Nice rifle.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am curious about the screws in the receiver in front of the bolt handle. I've seen this for a receiver sight or a side mounted scope but always on the left side for a right-handed rifle. Any idea what these were for? Nice rifle.

Old school Lyman or Williams pep sights

 

[ebb]

They were always on the opposite side to the bolt handle. These are on the bolt handle side and would interfere with bolt handle manipulation.

 

[Keith Kilby]

On Mauser actions bolt release on left side would interfere with receiver sight mounting there. Mauser receiver sights were on right hand side and not an issue with bolt handle.

 

[jmm03]

Interesting comment about the receiver sight holes as all the 03's of mine have the Lyman 48 series mounted on the same side as the bolt

 

[joshb]

That’s a very nice gun your Dad built. Treat it well and keep it oiled. It’s special to have a family heirloom. Good for you.

 

[nakneker]

Neat rifle! Hope you find out more about its history. Bushnell Scope Chief 4x, Buehler rings and mounts on a classic Mauser action in 30-06 was a nice set up in its day. That set up is still very capable in today’s world!

I have my Dad’s old 30-06 and 270, the mean more to me than words can express.

 

[Tucker 7br]

I inherited a 30.06 rifle many years ago from my father. My father had a sporting goods store in Indiana, and he told me he use to build these guns for customers back in the 40’s-50’s. I lost all his information. Now he has passed away, I still have this 30.06 rifle and would like to know if anyone could help me figure out how it was built. I believe it’s a Mauser 98 action, I don’t know the custom barrel. My father also added his own stocks. Thanks so much for all or any info.

Need a bit more info...where was your dad's sporting goods store,, and what was the time frame? 1960's, 1970's, etc...

 

[FNSafari]

I have a late 1950s Browning FN Safari grade rifle with that style shroud. Hard to say as you have not give photos of barrel markings, other action markings, etc. The markings on the bolt handle root are blury. Nice rifle though. FN made actions for a lot of takers.

 

[Webphut]

I inherited a 30.06 rifle many years ago from my father. My father had a sporting goods store in Indiana, and he told me he use to build these guns for customers back in the 40’s-50’s. I lost all his information. Now he has passed away, I still have this 30.06 rifle and would like to know if anyone could help me figure out how it was built. I believe it’s a Mauser 98 action, I don’t know the custom barrel. My father also added his own stocks. Thanks so much for all or any info.

Them old Mauzer actions tuff to find these days. There is on couple you may know or not know or heard of, Cathy and Randy Silby. They most likely can tell you your dad’s mindset on this build. ….Randy’Custom Rifles. They in Cody, Wyoming.
I only know of them because he been trying to educate the newer generation on YouTube. Good luck and don’t sell that rifle. It may not appear as nice as a Mark V or a Bergara, but I bet it as accurate

 

[Olderthan dirt]

Looks like a FN Mauser action from Liege Belgium.

 

[lb-ft]

Priceless!