Older Mausers

Well, it must be a phase, or an age thing.

I found myself selling off a lot of guns in the cabinet, and safe that weren't being shot. Looked at the old glass fronted gun cabinet, with some of my dads guns in it, and decided to go old school.

After a TON of online looking, research, and window shopping. I picked up a Pair of M96 Mausers. One Stiga, in 30-06, and the other a Carl Gustaf in 6.5x55S.

I have to admit, both have been sporterized quite well, and are certainly elegant looking for the age and price. The kicker? Both shoot amazingly well.

The 30-06 is iron sights, and I've left it without optic for right now. It shoots about 1.5MOA at 100M consistently. Shooting off-hand, it's accurate as any deer gun I've had.

The 6.5x55 is a sweet rig, shipped with iron sights and bases, I topped it with a set of see through rings, and a 1.5-6x Bausch and Lomb scope, so I can use optic, or irons. It's a tack driver.

The other kicker? Both were under $400 each, shipped and taxes in.

Anyone else shooting older Mausers? Fox?

Attachment 43418

Attachment 43419

I have a few:
An M38 6.5x55 in original configuration
A sporterized M96 in 6.5x55 with a scope
A custom 257 AI built on an M96 action with a scope. This one is pretty far from the original Mauser configuration. It's the most accurate rifle I own.
A sporterized 8mm with a scope - actually, I think it's considered a commercial Mauser.

All but the 8mm shoot really well. I really like Mausers - they are solid rifles and a good buy.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I have a few:
An M38 6.5x55 in original configuration
A sporterized M96 in 6.5x55 with a scope
A custom 257 AI built on an M96 action, with a scope
A sporterized 8mm with a scope - actually, I think it's considered a commercial Mauser.

All but the 8mm shoot really well. I really like Mausers - they are solid rifles.

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Are you reloading for the 6.5x55?

I was going to stop in Richmond on the way home from work and pick up some ammo.

16 Apr breakfast in Kemptville...

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Are you reloading for the 6.5x55?

I was going to stop in Richmond on the way home from work and pick up some ammo.

16 Apr breakfast in Kemptville...

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Yes, I reload for all of them. I haven't figured out a good load for the 8mm yet, so I can't say yet if it's the rifle or my ammo.
I still can't commit to the breakfast - I'm moving at the beginning of April, so I don't know what state the new place will be in by then.

They are the basis for every bolt action sporter rifle made today.

I have an M38 in 6.5x55 made by Husqvarna, this is the M96 but newer with a shorter throat, yes it is accurate, I want a 400 yard deer rifle and this is going to be it.

Many Parker Hale rifles used Mauser actions, either the 03 springfield, which was a mauser action, the Americans had to pay royalties for it. The other parker hale rifles are M98 mauser actions with sporter barrels and stocks put on them, they just work.

I don't know why people buy new bolt action rifles, if they are 70+ years old and still running you don't have to worry about them.

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Originally Posted by Fox

They are the basis for every bolt action sporter rifle made today.

I have an M38 in 6.5x55 made by Husqvarna, this is the M96 but newer with a shorter throat, yes it is accurate, I want a 400 yard deer rifle and this is going to be it.

Many Parker Hale rifles used Mauser actions, either the 03 springfield, which was a mauser action, the Americans had to pay royalties for it. The other parker hale rifles are M98 mauser actions with sporter barrels and stocks put on them, they just work.

I don't know why people buy new bolt action rifles, if they are 70+ years old and still running you don't have to worry about them.

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Exactly.

I did a ton of research, over and above much of what I already knew. Learming about M96, and M98 actions, small ring, large ring....the various companies like Parker Hale, Stiga, Husqvarna, et all....

As well as companies like HOWA that would buy these same actions in bulk, and used them to produce their early rifles. Or how Swedish rifles are prized, due to their use of superior steel.

It's an absolute rabbit hole of information.

And they shoot amazingly well.

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Exactly.

I did a ton of research, over and above much of what I already knew. Learming about M96, and M98 actions, small ring, large ring....the various companies like Parker Hale, Stiga, Husqvarna, et all....

As well as companies like HOWA that would buy these same actions in bulk, and used them to produce their early rifles. Or how Swedish rifles are prized, due to their use of superior steel.

It's an absolute rabbit hole of information.

And they shoot amazingly well.

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Swedish steel sent to Mauser in Germany to make the actions. The bolts on swedish mauser are high nickel content but not stainless, they are in the white and are very corrosion resistant.

The part that I find crazy is all the people saying that "they are old, they are unsafe to shoot", not if they are in good condition. An M96 or M98 action are probably stronger than any standard commercial action, they are designed for failures that no commercial guns are designed for. Look at the chamber area of your mausers, they have a slot or a hole, that is in case the cases rupture, designed for the pressure to vent safely away from you. It does work too, I had some factory MFS ammo, DO NOT SHOOT THAT STUFF. The ammo leaked out the primer, vented safely, nothing back in my face or damage.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Swedish steel sent to Mauser in Germany to make the actions. The bolts on swedish mauser are high nickel content but not stainless, they are in the white and are very corrosion resistant.

The part that I find crazy is all the people saying that "they are old, they are unsafe to shoot", not if they are in good condition. An M96 or M98 action are probably stronger than any standard commercial action, they are designed for failures that no commercial guns are designed for. Look at the chamber area of your mausers, they have a slot or a hole, that is in case the cases rupture, designed for the pressure to vent safely away from you. It does work too, I had some factory MFS ammo, DO NOT SHOOT THAT STUFF. The ammo leaked out the primer, vented safely, nothing back in my face or damage.

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Yeah, went down that road, looking at the 30-06. They retool the feed ramp to facilitate the round going into the chamber. Commercially done, and it still leaves far more material than most modern actions have.

Looking at the various comparisons using PSI, and BAR, strengths....still amazing that 70+ years old, and still shooting well, even the rifling is crisp.

I have three Mausers:

A K96 6.5 x 55 Swede made Husqvarna Vapenfabrik. It's scoped and is my real workhorse. Shot a whack of deer, not to mention Coyotes and beavers with it over the past 20 yrs.

Also have a German Kar 98a Mauser Erfurt 1917, 8mm x57, still open sights but contemplating installing either a peep or scope .

And lastly a Mauser Model 1871 71/84 11mm. I've never fired it.

Good story on the 71/84; I was at an auction and chatting with the fella next to me and my buddy poked me and said the Mauser I was looking at (K98 above) was up. So I took a starting bid at $60 ....and that was it, I owned it. Then the Mauser I wanted came up next and I got it for $80.

Run-of-the-mill old Military guns don't sell well at gun auctions. Young guys want guns with plastic camo stocks and scopes :

Great guns..once you used a Mauser Auction, it spoils you. :)

i have a 6.5x55 and i love it

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I have three Mausers:

A K96 6.5 x 55 Swede made Husqvarna Vapenfabrik. It's scoped and is my real workhorse. Shot a whack of deer, not to mention Coyotes and beavers with it over the past 20 yrs.

Also have a German Kar 98a Mauser Erfurt 1917, 8mm x57, still open sights but contemplating installing either a peep or scope .

And lastly a Mauser Model 1871 71/84 11mm. I've never fired it.

Good story on the 71/84; I was at an auction and chatting with the fella next to me and my buddy poked me and said the Mauser I was looking at (K98 above) was up. So I took a starting bid at $60 ....and that was it, I owned it. Then the Mauser I wanted came up next and I got it for $80.

Run-of-the-mill old Military guns don't sell well at gun auctions. Young guys want guns with plastic camo stocks and scopes :

Great guns..once you used a Mauser Auction, it spoils you. :)

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"Mauser Model 1871 71/84 11mm. I've never fired it." You are missing a real treat. Since they only used soft lead bullets the rifling is generally in great shape. You can use 45-70 brass in them, the rim of the brass has to be milled down a bit. Lee makes loading dies for the 43 Mauser, the sizing die easily forms them to fit, they are a bit shorter than the original brass, I just seat the 340 grain .446 bullet to match the original bullet's OAL. You can use H - 4198 powder, about 30 grain will keep the chamber press below 20,000 PSI. It makes for a reasonably gentle load.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

Thanks Gun Nut...I'd never thought to pursue alternatives to the original cartridge. I did find x5 rounds at a gun show once, very expensive so I have them for show and tell but never fired them.

I'm going to print out your info above and take a look at trying to do up some shooting rounds !

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Thanks Gun Nut...I'd never thought to pursue alternatives to the original cartridge. I did find x5 rounds at a gun show once, very expensive so I have them for show and tell but never fired them.

I'm going to print out your info above and take a look at trying to do up some shooting rounds !

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This may help you mill the rim on the 45-70 brass. I put a round stone in my drill press. I put the shoulder of the brass in some type of loose ring and lay the rim up against the edge of the spinning stone, as it turns down I check it in the shell holder that comes in the die kit for fit.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Originally Posted by Gun Nut

This may help you mill the rim on the 45-70 brass. I put a round stone in my drill press. I put the shoulder of the brass in some type of loose ring and lay the rim up against the edge of the spinning stone, as it turns down I check it in the shell holder that comes in the die kit for fit.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Mike. I'd love to see that rifle if we get out for breakfast.

I own two Carl G. M96's in original military form with all matching numbers and a Husky M38 all original with numbers matching. All are tack drivers. I put a scout scope on one using a mount that uses the existing front sight holes. I would highly advise anyone who owns one in original confiruration to not Bubba the gun by drilling one for scope mounting! Do not take the stock apart unless you are aware of Swede armourers instructions for proper assembly, care of existing recoil block, action screw torques , any shims, etc. If you do alter or drill anything you just changed your $800 gun into a $400 gun. The supply has now dried up and anything original milsurp is just going up in price. They are beautiful guns to shoot ! The Swedes are the only surplus rifles that I own that can shoot almost on par with the Swiss K31s that I have. If you like Swedes you better get a K31 before they are all gone! They are creeping up in price now. You'll understand why I'm advising this after you shoot one!

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

I own two Carl G. M96's in original military form with all matching numbers and a Husky M38 all original with numbers matching. All are tack drivers. I put a scout scope on one using a mount that uses the existing front sight holes. I would highly advise anyone who owns one in original confiruration to not Bubba the gun by drilling one for scope mounting! Do not take the stock apart unless you are aware of Swede armourers instructions for proper assembly, care of existing recoil block, action screw torques , any shims, etc. If you do alter or drill anything you just changed your $800 gun into a $400 gun. The supply has now dried up and anything original milsurp is just going up in price. They are beautiful guns to shoot ! The Swedes are the only surplus rifles that I own that can shoot almost on par with the Swiss K31s that I have. If you like Swedes you better get a K31 before they are all gone! They are creeping up in price now. You'll understand why I'm advising this after you shoot one!

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All those people chopping them up are making yours worth more though.

This is mine, was tapped before I got it.

Attachment 43428

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

If you like Swedes you better get a K31 before they are all gone! They are creeping up in price now. You'll understand why I'm advising this after you shoot one!

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I agree. I have a K31, and they are accurate rifles. I put a clamp-on scope mount and a scope on mine, and it shoots phenomenally well for a military surplus rifle. I have to say though, I wouldn't pay current prices for one - people are asking $1000 and more for them!

Back in the ‘70s, when I was a teenager, I bought my first rifle -an 8mm Mauser for $35. I can’t recall the precise details about the rifle but I think it was Turkish and was produced for the Boer War. Maybe someone with more knowledge can clear this up.

When I went away to college, I left the rifle at home. Even back then, I was concerned about safe firearm storage, so I removed the bolt and hid it somewhere. Unfortunately, I could never remember what I did with the bolt so when I moved away for good my brother turned the rifle over to the police for destruction.

I very much regret losing the bolt and destroying the rifle as I would have liked to have sporterized it. “Should have, could have, but didn’t!”

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

Back in the ‘70s, when I was a teenager, I bought my first rifle -an 8mm Mauser for $35. I can’t recall the precise details about the rifle but I think it was Turkish and was produced for the Boer War. Maybe someone with more knowledge can clear this up.

When I went away to college, I left the rifle at home. Even back then, I was concerned about safe firearm storage, so I removed the bolt and hid it somewhere. Unfortunately, I could never remember what I did with the bolt so when I moved away for good my brother turned the rifle over to the police for destruction.

I very much regret losing the bolt and destroying the rifle as I would have liked to have sporterized it. “Should have, could have, but didn’t!”

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The boer war would have been 7mm mauser, the 8mm mauser would have been too late for that, the 8mm was not designed until after the Boer war.

The turkish mausers are the same as the German ones, very good rifles.

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Originally Posted by Fox

The boer war would have been 7mm mauser, the 8mm mauser would have been too late for that, the 8mm was not designed until after the Boer war.

The turkish mausers are the same as the German ones, very good rifles.

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Thanks for the info.

Can’t go wrong with a mauser in any flavour! Nice rifles!!