my mini Mauser project

[hdskip]

This project started with a gift from a friend who happens to roast coffee and shoot woodchucks among other things. Thanks Kevin! It was an Interarms Mini Mauser action, a Kepplinger single set trigger and an English Walnut stock blank that had extra wood left for shaping. It was a project his father started.
I had been looking at these actions for years and never acquired one. My vision for this was a small walking around rifle that could be used for plinking, occasional varmint shooting and short range whitetail hunting. My preferred chambering on this platform was the 6x45 (6/223). I had just finished 2 AR uppers chambered in 6x45 and both shot very well. I felt it would really shine in a bolt gun. I'm pleased with the results.
In next post I'll include build pics and details in case anyone is interested.

 

[jds holler]

I'm interested in details -- both about the cartridge and the action.
I had, or maybe still have one of those old Redfield scopes in 2x7. It finally went funky inside. Prolly 70's vintage or so. j

 

[matthias]

Ver nice little rifle. The wood is very nice.

 

[hdskip]

The obvious pace to start was the action. The action face was squared and I found a barrel in my stuff. I had used up all my 6mm blanks on other projects. I had a Remington .243 take off barrel. this was near new so I shortened it and turned anew tenon and turned the metric threads it required. then it was chambered with the Manson 6x45 (6mm/223) reamer. I don't have any pictures of this process but I did turn a test piece with the metric threads before trying it on the barrel. I used Redfield one piece windage adjustable base and rings to go with my vintage Redfield 3-9 scope.
My goal was to make this as classic looking a rifle as I could. Classic meaning my early years of the '70s.
Next installment will be details of making the stock. it will be more picture heavy.

 

[hdskip]

 

[hdskip]

 

[hdskip]

When doing the metal work on this action it bolt was tight in spots. I took Alnhyus's experience with his and remedied the situation. That was a big help. The size of the Kepplinger set trigger required some wood removal in the stock . It just is a little bulkier than the Timneys I normally use. The part that required some creativity was the thumb safety area. I wanted it to be attractive and not just a chopped out look. I think I achieved that.


I added ebony fore end tip and grip cap. not fancy but accented the stock I think. I used a brown recoil pad , not that it is needed in this chambering, but for the "look" as much as anything.
this was the first time I had worked with English walnut and it does work differently than the black walnut I'm accustomed to. This roughed in stock came from Wenig by the way. The stain I chose was a medium brown from Minwax. The English was very light colored.
I do wish I had taken more pictures of the metal working part of this.
Well that's enough for now. My next post I'll include some performance info on the 6x45 round and maybe a picture of a group or 2.

 

[jds holler]

Thanks for the lay-out. Really nice little rifle. jd

 

[DShortt]

I've been down a somewhat similar road with a Zastava M85. I won't state specifically what I call it these days, but I will say it's akin to an illegitimate male child acquired through marriage.

Maybe the Interarms are different, but I absolutely DESPISE the bolt travel friction on
the Zastava.

 

[DocCoffee]

Good looking project hdskip. Looking forward to seeing performance report.

KDK

 

[DGP4]

Love the look of that stock! I almost bought a mini mauser when they first came out, but I couldn't get over the tiny bolt handle on them. If I remember correctly, they were not a true controlled feed action. Some said they were more a copy of the Sako Vixen line of rifles.

 

[AlNyhus]

Love the look of that stock! I almost bought a mini mauser when they first came out, but I couldn't get over the tiny bolt handle on them. If I remember correctly, they were not a true controlled feed action. Some said they were more a copy of the Sako Vixen line of rifles.

The bolt shroud is the only thing 'Mauser-ish' about them. Other than that, they are very much like the little Sako action. -Al

 

[hdskip]

I believe I've missed out. I've never had a Sako.

 

[DocCoffee]

The bolt shroud is the only thing 'Mauser-ish' about them. Other than that, they are very much like the little Sako action. -Al

I guess I actually have one of each plus one of the Zastava/Charles Daly's. Maybe I should do a very basic comparison report.

 

[DGP4]

I guess I actually have one of each plus one of the Zastava/Charles Daly's. Maybe I should do a very basic comparison report.

That would be great! I remember that what led to the Sako Vixen comparison was the extractor. Apparently the Zastava extractor had some problems, and someone advised that the Sako Vixen extractor might work. Don't go by my memory as it has more holes than swiss cheese!