Older Mausers

[Bluebulldog]

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?

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[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. 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.

[Bluebulldog]

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.

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...

[rf2]

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...

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.

[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.

[Bluebulldog]

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.

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.

[Fox]

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.

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.

[Bluebulldog]

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.

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.

[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.

[backmaster]

i have a 6.5x55 and i love it