jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
I have been wanting to build a “classic” Mauser hunting rifle for some time. I guess I am trying to relive my youth, as the very first custom I ever built back in the ‘70’s was based on a commercial Santa Barbara Mauser.
So this action has been in our classifieds for some time. I know it is as old as Methuselah, but it looks solid and not abused. Since it is an actual German manufactured piece, I figure the steel used was at the very least good for that era. I can take it over to Lone Star Heat Treating and have a Rockwell C test done, just to see. I could also take a little off of an inconspicuous place, take it to the Lab that does our testing, and see what steel it was made from. I suspect a medium carbon such as our modern day 1040.

So what to chamber it in? My two choices are 30/06 or 338/06. I know there is a temptation to go 300 H&H, but that would involve opening the bolt face and probably altering the magazine.
My best friend Ed Bernabeo just happens to have a beautiful stock that came off of a Browning FN Mauser over 50 years ago. I would imagine a re-bedding job and it will work fine.
I will true the threads, action face and the inner ring drill and tap it for suitable scope mounts, change the safety, and a few other things. I picture all of the steel parts parkerized and the bolt polished. Probably get a Krieger barrel in something like a Remington Varmint Taper, maybe a little lighter.
What do you all think. Caliber? Cartridge? Parkerize, Blue.
I am open for suggestions.
So this action has been in our classifieds for some time. I know it is as old as Methuselah, but it looks solid and not abused. Since it is an actual German manufactured piece, I figure the steel used was at the very least good for that era. I can take it over to Lone Star Heat Treating and have a Rockwell C test done, just to see. I could also take a little off of an inconspicuous place, take it to the Lab that does our testing, and see what steel it was made from. I suspect a medium carbon such as our modern day 1040.
SELLING - Mauser Model 1908 Action
Mauser Model 1908 Action, Made in Factory MUNITIONSFABRIKLN OBERNDORFaN. Action is complete and has no visible pitting, locks up very tight and has little wobble on bolt when retracted, Bolt handle has been professionally forged and will come with a Bold adjustable trigger with safety...
forum.accurateshooter.com

So what to chamber it in? My two choices are 30/06 or 338/06. I know there is a temptation to go 300 H&H, but that would involve opening the bolt face and probably altering the magazine.
My best friend Ed Bernabeo just happens to have a beautiful stock that came off of a Browning FN Mauser over 50 years ago. I would imagine a re-bedding job and it will work fine.
I will true the threads, action face and the inner ring drill and tap it for suitable scope mounts, change the safety, and a few other things. I picture all of the steel parts parkerized and the bolt polished. Probably get a Krieger barrel in something like a Remington Varmint Taper, maybe a little lighter.
What do you all think. Caliber? Cartridge? Parkerize, Blue.
I am open for suggestions.
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