mauser customization opinions, tactical or classic target

[CMW]

Im customizing a mauser action with a 30 inch target barrel in .230 Ackley barreled by Ackley himself in the 60's. Im either going to go with a classic target or a tactical target look. For the classic i was considering a Richards Microfit target style stock and a Unertl or Lyman scope. For the tactical was thinking a mil/mil or target scope and my own custom stock. My own stock is a epoxy composite molded stock(my own mold) with adjustable LOP and comb with a standard style grip. The forend is flat for sand bags and is set at an angle. The action is not drilled or tapped for mounts but has been for a receiver sight, so that leaves options open as for scope and mount type. And im thinking I'll go with a black duracoat finish for the tactical and maybe a blued or duracoat finish for the classic target.

I am open to suggestions, and ALL are appreciated!

[Wambli Ska]

Im customizing a mauser action with a 30 inch target barrel in .230 Ackley barreled by Ackley himself in the 60's. Im either going to go with a classic target or a tactical target look. For the classic i was considering a Richards Microfit target style stock and a Unertl or Lyman scope. For the tactical was thinking a mil/mil or target scope and my own custom stock. My own stock is a epoxy composite molded stock(my own mold) with adjustable LOP and comb with a standard style grip. The forend is flat for sand bags and is set at an angle. The action is not drilled or tapped for mounts but has been for a receiver sight, so that leaves options open as for scope and mount type. And im thinking I'll go with a black duracoat finish for the tactical and maybe a blued or duracoat finish for the classic target.

I am open to suggestions, and ALL are appreciated!

I would go full period correct and do a good wood RM stock and a Unertl or Lyman scope with a polished blue finish on the metal. When you pull that out at the range it will get a boatload of wows and drool. If you got modern tactical it won't get a second look from anyone. In either case I'm sure it'll be a shooter.

[Bigslug]

Tactical rifles are a dime a dozen, and should be chambered in something. . .well, tactical. There's always time, money, and faceless Remington 700 actions to build them on.

You've got a barreled action that was spun up by none other than the master experimenter himself. Ackley is a guy any modern precision rifle reloader owes a debt to. Show a little respect and build the action how he wold build it, with the materials and equipment he would have had available.

Yes, you can make a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California faster by dropping in a small-block Chevy, cutting a hole in the hood, and adding a blower, but that doesn't mean it's right.

[CMW]

I absolutely love the classic style but ive also had a itch to get my custom composite target stock on a mauser. I guess ill have to put it on my dad's 308 for a test run. The other thing slowling me down was money, my target stock was "free" to me and blueing is a lot more than duracoat. besides it will cost me around 600 to 1100 dollars just to be able to start reloading for it. this gun may end up being worth more than it's weight in gold

[cpj]

Classic. I have seen the results of a tactical Mauser. To say it aint pretty is an understatement.

[Ernie Bishop]

To me, "tactical" and "Mauser" should not be used together.

[cpj]

To me, "tactical" and "Mauser" should not be used together.

I wish I had a picture of the one I am talking about. Jerry?

[snake284-1]

Im customizing a mauser action with a 30 inch target barrel in .230 Ackley barreled by Ackley himself in the 60's. Im either going to go with a classic target or a tactical target look. For the classic i was considering a Richards Microfit target style stock and a Unertl or Lyman scope. For the tactical was thinking a mil/mil or target scope and my own custom stock. My own stock is a epoxy composite molded stock(my own mold) with adjustable LOP and comb with a standard style grip. The forend is flat for sand bags and is set at an angle. The action is not drilled or tapped for mounts but has been for a receiver sight, so that leaves options open as for scope and mount type. And im thinking I'll go with a black duracoat finish for the tactical and maybe a blued or duracoat finish for the classic target.


I am open to suggestions, and ALL are appreciated!

If you try to make a modern tactical rifle out of that, you're spinning your wheels in liquid mud. If you want something modern looking, get modern components and build something popular. That rifle is a piece of history. Keep it as original as you can or it loses a lot of asthetic value and it will never measure up to anything built modern as far as target shooting goes. there's just too much technology out there to compete with things built today. Leave it in its period correct form. Like was said, you'll get a lot of looks and attention and you'll enjoy it a lot more.

[Big Al1]

I wish I had a picture of the one I am talking about. Jerry?

I think I know which one you are talking about!! The image is burned in my retina, I don't need a picture!!

[CMW]

Well it looks like i will either be buying a RM stock or sending my own black walnut blank to them. Now i just have to decide on the right period scope(i'm thinking 20x unertl) and the right stock.

[Teach]

I wish I had a picture of the one I am talking about. Jerry?

Sorry, folks, I think a photo of that one would make the pic file on my computer crash! I call that one his "ugly gun", but he loves it! BTW, that young man was severely injured by a piece of woodworking equipment at work, and almost lost his left thumb. Send a few good vibes his way if you can.
Jerry

[Big Al1]

Well it looks like i will either be buying a RM stock or sending my own black walnut blank to them. Now i just have to decide on the right period scope(i'm thinking 20x unertl) and the right stock.

I like your plan, keep a classic, classic!! It's my kind of project, reviving a one of a kind, piece of history!!

[Diver43]

I am unable to add more than what Wambli and others have already said. I hope you share your finished product if you decide to go Classic with your customization.

[CMW]

Marksman_Brown_Lam_LHSide10inch72dpi.jpg
I'm thinking this stock from RM and this scope
unertl.jpg

the stock would be in AAA claro walnut

[Teach]

Good choice! I was about to suggest a laminated stock for rigidity, plus they're a good bit heavier than a solid wood item. Do a pillar-bedding job and use Brownell's Steel-Bed for the action and the first inch or so of the chamber.
Jerry

[Wambli Ska]

Marksman_Brown_Lam_LHSide10inch72dpi.jpg
I'm thinking this stock from RM and this scope
unertl.jpg

the stock would be in AAA claro walnut

I like your direction

[snake284-1]

Good choice! I was about to suggest a laminated stock for rigidity, plus they're a good bit heavier than a solid wood item. Do a pillar-bedding job and use Brownell's Steel-Bed for the action and the first inch or so of the chamber.
Jerry

Brownell's Steel Bed is some great stuff. I have a 12 OZ plastic container of Brownell's atomized Stainless Steel you suggested Jerry. I mix it with Brownell's Acra Glass to make my own Steel Bed, same thing, but I've used the regular Steel Bed product too. Either way it's the best way to go.

Also, I was going to suggest a Boyd's Laminate Stock. I have one in Pepper Laminate and it is not only sturdy, it's beautiful. I finished it with Poly Urethane according to Boyd's instructions. It was easy and looks like ten million bucks. This is MY KIND of project. I am interested in seeing a pic of your finished product, CMW. I get my rocks off on any kind of nice Mauser. I don't have as many as Teach and Big Al, but I'm working on a nice collection. I have three completed and two more on the horizon. My first was an old Mauser action I got for cheap with 5 for like $30 back in the late 80s from an importer known as Fed Ord. I had it barreled in .280 Remington. I also have built a .257 Rob. Ackley Improved on a Yugo. I have one more Yugo I had sporterized and left the Mil Surp 8x57 barrel in place. That is not a bad round either. I have one more Yugo Mauser doner rifle for another build. It may be a 6mm Remington or some sort of 6.5s. I also have a Zastava action for a future build.

If I'm repeating this, just know that the reason is not my CRS so much as it is my love of Mausers. I love to talk about them and shoot them and have them sportered and rebarreled. They make about the coolest looking bolt gun on the planet.

[rapier5316]

To me, "tactical" and "Mauser" should not be used together.

Has anyone told the Wehrmact or Israel for that matter.

[rapier5316]

I'd might suggest somewhere inbetween, enbetwixt, a hybrid.

A classic type of a stock with a more modern target type scope. Making the homage with the lines of the stock with the upgrade to modern glass with a bit more robustness.

A full "tactical" treatment is better done with tactical/logistical conditions in mind. You are urban dweller Zombie food if you have to reload rounds while blasting.

[CMW]

I still havnt decided on a linseed rubbed walnut stock or the laminate. I know the linseed is more of a classic and i love how the lines in the walnut pop out with a good amount of oil rubbed in it. I know the laminate was also used and it is more solid of a piece and easier to finish.

Also does anyone know how resizing .243 bullets down to .230 would affect the accuracy if i used 3 or 4 dies in succession to get rid of the extra .013 inches, or should i just custom swage my own. And if so does any one know alot about swaging. i read alittle but i dont know the equipment i will need to do it or the finer point of doing it

[Big Al1]

I was just wondering....you said it is barreled on a Mauser action. P.O. Ackley had his own Mauser action made for him by a company in Japan, back in the 60's. It would say P.O. Ackley Salt Lake City, Utah on the left side of the receiver. They are pretty rare since they were only about 200 actions made and 50 in LEFT HAND.
It resembles a Mark X action, and also says Made in Japan on the flat under the front ring, in front of the recoil lug.

[CMW]

It is a sporterized military action with only a very very short serial number stamped on the side. The stripper clip ears are ground off and the only other stamping on the guns is where it says "P.O. ACKLEY .230" on the barrel. I think it is a zastava or a FN. Whatever make it is, it is a really really early reciever.

[Teach]

Whatever make it is, it is a really really early reciever.

Over 200 MILLION 98 Mausers were made in armories all over the world between 1898 and the late 1950's, and that doesn't count the copies made by various commercial operations. Without some proofmarks to go by, it's virtually impossible to establish when and where one was made.
Jerry

[CMW]

I know it isn't commercial but it is a really really nice action and looks very well machined. Who ever made it did a Really Good job. I'm just happy that the serial number is low. I think it is pre ww2 do to the serial number and craftsmanship but I could be wrong. I guess I will never know.

[CMW]

Made progress in reloading for this rare wildcat cartridge.
I'm getting .234 diameter bullets from shroeder bullets - price not available yet
Hornady hydro case forming dies - $200
Lee custom reloading dies - $100
I can load 45 grains of 4350 behind a 75 grain bullet and push it over 4000 fps
stock-RM Markxman style (as in picture) with 1/2 inch pad and swivel studs - $245
Scope lyman/unertl target scope - about $800
total - about $1500