Help me ID this action.

[bobm]

I picked up a new addition to the family. It appears to be a custom build out of the 50-60s' It is a.338 Win mag, beefy 24" barrel, walnut with rosewood grip cap and fore end. Has an old steel Weaver 3-9x TV view scope. Over all condition is very good. Weighs in at 10.4 lbs. Came with vintage vinyl zipper case, 2 boxes WW 250 gr. loaded ammo, 40 M/T cases and Lyman 2 die set. $200.00 sprung it from retirement. What part of the world made the action?

 

[Ggmac]

It looks like a Red Flag Factory , Yugoslav . Possibly remarked for Russia . I'll look it up later . My memory isn't what it use to be . Is it a std length or short length action ,only a 1/4" between the 2 .
Gary

 

[bobm]

The opening is 3 inches if this helps. No other markings other than six digit original SN. This must be a strong enough action for this build. Has 7 5/8" ths. bottom metal screw spacing. Looks to be military original with same SN and a 3 in the center of floor plate.

 

[Dos XX]

Serbian model 1924 Mauser.

http://candrsenal.com/rifle-serbian-mauser-model-1924/

 

[Ggmac]

It is a cock on open and it has a low scope safety . The Serbian was made at the red Flag factory in Yugoslavia . Does the front face of the bolt have projections that equal the extractor in length . A pic of bolt face will help with final model .
Gary

 

[bobm]

Bingo. Thanks a lot Dos XX, looks like the same markings to me. Mine based on SN appears it was made in 1939. I might remove the scope base for a look at the crest marking. Thanks for providing that information. I can't wait to shoot up that WW ammo....I think. Oh yeah, deal came with two boxes Sierra 225 gr. spitzers packaged in the Whittier CA boxes. Blast from the past. 8) 8)

 

[bobm]

Got a picture of the bolt face. No doubt it has been modified to fit the larger head diameter.

 

[Ggmac]

While Dosxx link is near correct it's not all of the story . 1939 was a bad year for FN . Most all Yugoslav , were a copy based off of the FN 1924 . The yugo ( red flag ) was the kingdom of Serbs , Croats , and , crud old age again , anyway the third group made up Yugoslavia . If the bolt nose , on the left has the projections , it is a safety breach system , used on only a handful of Mausers as Paul mauser deemed it unnecessary . If it is a safety breech and has been properly rebarrelled , it should have an extractor cut in it barrel face , now a days most just rebarrel without this cut and follow normal Mauser procedure .

 

[Ggmac]

Intermediate action , safety breech system , not sure the barrel was installed to utilize that system . Like Paul Mauser , most feel it's too much work , for little benefit . It's a strong action , a little short but it works . Although FN is better known ,your better off with this model as a lot of FN s I've done have been on the soft side .
Nice find , don't push the powder can too much when reloading .Gary

 

[Ggmac]

Just looked at the bolt face again ,does it feed? The extractor looks original and un modified . It also looks unfired since opening it up . Be careful , unless you know it's safe . Maybe a safety chech is in order .
Pm me if you need help .
Gary formally of north jersey

 

[bobm]

It definitely is a cock on open bolt. Thank you gentlemen for all your help and advice. I will keep the hand loads in the mid range. I will be out there this week putting big bullets on steel. 8)

 

[Dos XX]

That's a lot of bullet for 10.4 lb rifle.

 

[bobm]

Yeah, I know.

After re reading the text it may be a 1933 made gun. Not having the butt plate I can not confirm the "royal cypher" symbol. The lettering agrees with MTI made rifles in 1932- 1941. The SN is 25348X

No matter, we are gonna have some fun this week!

 

[joshb]

That's a lot of bullet for 10.4 lb rifle.

My shoulder hurts, just looking at it. Nice old gun! Good catch. I hope it's cold, and you can wear lots of padding.

 

[bobm]

Wow, this beast is accurate. I loaded up 23 Sierra 250 gr. gamekings I had in my house. Picked a mid range load of 67.0 grs. IMR4350, CCI 200 cap. First shot by me off the bench hit half inch low of center on our 200 meter plate. Two more shots made a classic 1.5 inch triangle. Out at 300 meters four shots made a beautiful 2.6" or so group on steel. I am impressed to say the least. I fired the remainder off hand at a 20"dia. thick steel slug at 200 M. All lethal hits, minute of elk rib cage. My .30-06 will stay home this December, this bruiser will take the next elk I get. 8)

 

[joshb]

That's great news! AND, for what you paid, all the nicer. Not many guys pay $200 for a gun, with scope, these days. Congratulations! Now, about those Elk sausages you're sending out.....

 

[deepwater]

I like elk sausage. Glad I followed this thread.



deepwater