Best (bang for the buck) $300 .30-06 "dream" rifle.

[dr. mabuse]

*

[MVP]

AZ,

Many years ago I attended the 2yr resident gunsmithing program at Utah Technical College and we built a bunch of sporterized Mausers and Springfields. We did that because they were cheap and we were poor. Both actions are relatively strong but the quality of the Mausers went down significantly as the end of WWII approached and there were many manufacturers. There are a couple of action lengths and if you plan to build a sporter you need to make sure you have the stanard Mauser length, not the shorter Yugoslav M48. As I recall most M98's would not accomodate full-length 30-06 and needed feed ramp / magazine work for 30-06. If you use the short one it will require a special action length stock. Of the Springfields, only the A3/A4 has a good solid foundation for a scope mount. Regardless of which action you choose you will need to plan on bending the bolt or welding on a new bolt handle to clear a scope. There is just so much work it really isn't worthwhile when you can buy a used 700 and then customize the crap out of it if you want a "project". In the end you will have a much better gun with less work and at a lower cost.

If you really like the Mauser design take a look at the CZ Model 550, it has all the features of the M98 plus an improved trigger and safety without the receiver weakening "thumb-cut" in the left receiver wall. It also has integral scope mount bases machined into the receiver eliminating the weak interface between reciever and scope rings.

MVP

[mojaveman]

edited to add: CMP was selling barreled actions a while back it might be worth while to call and see if they have any left or will be selling more. These are reactivated drill rifles. Also try here, I think most of these are also reactivated drill rifles but from what I heard they make good shooters. and they sell actions only for $250. [QUOTE]

The CMP reactived '03 actions are affordable but will require a little work. When they are deactivated the bolt cutt-off/release levers are welded to the receiver so that the bolt can't be removed. I was lucky in that the one I bought wasn't that bad. I used a dremel tool and a jewler's file and after I was finished it looked pretty good. I then sand blasted it and parkerized it and afterwards you could hardly tell. Anyway, if you buy one take a good look at it and be prepared to do a little work.

[mojaveman]

I was told it has a 2 groove barrel?[/QUOTE]

Thousands of Springfield M1903A3 rifles were rebuilt during WWII. At first four groove barrels were used but then two groove barrels were later used because it took less time to manufacture them. From what I've read they provide just as much practical accuracy. I don't think that you'd notice a difference between the two unless you were shooting a very long distance.

[BigJimCalhoun]

I bought a used Rem 700 chambered in 30.06 for $331 on gunbroker. It included a entry-level scope. Add $30 for shipping and $20 for the FFL transfer.

If you don't need it this week, you can watch the auctions and wait for a good deal. There is another post on here regarding buyer beware with gun broker but if you buy from someone who has a lot of sales already and a good ranking, you are safer.

[mojaveman]

Originally Posted by BigJimCalhoun

I bought a used Rem 700 chambered in 30.06 for $331 on gunbroker. It included a entry-level scope. Add $30 for shipping and $20 for the FFL transfer.

If you don't need it this week, you can watch the auctions and wait for a good deal. There is another post on here regarding buyer beware with gun broker but if you buy from someone who has a lot of sales already and a good ranking, you are safer.

$20 for an FFL transfer? I'm moving to Colorado. Here in the Golden State you pay $100.

Correct on Gunbroker. I've bought there before and checked out sellers before doing so. Haven't had any problems there.

[Irishsquid]

Originally Posted by mojaveman

$20 for an FFL transfer? I'm moving to Colorado. Here in the Golden State you pay $100.

Correct on Gunbroker. I've bought there before and checked out sellers before doing so. Haven't had any problems there.

It's either $20 or $25 here in Texas...$100 a transfer sounds terrible!

[arizonaguide]

Originally Posted by MVP

AZ,

Many years ago I attended the 2yr resident gunsmithing program at Utah Technical College and we built a bunch of sporterized Mausers and Springfields. We did that because they were cheap and we were poor. Both actions are relatively strong but the quality of the Mausers went down significantly as the end of WWII approached and there were many manufacturers. There are a couple of action lengths and if you plan to build a sporter you need to make sure you have the stanard Mauser length, not the shorter Yugoslav M48. As I recall most M98's would not accomodate full-length 30-06 and needed feed ramp / magazine work for 30-06. If you use the short one it will require a special action length stock. Of the Springfields, only the A3/A4 has a good solid foundation for a scope mount. Regardless of which action you choose you will need to plan on bending the bolt or welding on a new bolt handle to clear a scope. There is just so much work it really isn't worthwhile when you can buy a used 700 and then customize the crap out of it if you want a "project". In the end you will have a much better gun with less work and at a lower cost.

If you really like the Mauser design take a look at the CZ Model 550, it has all the features of the M98 plus an improved trigger and safety without the receiver weakening "thumb-cut" in the left receiver wall. It also has integral scope mount bases machined into the receiver eliminating the weak interface between reciever and scope rings.

MVP

Thanks MVP! I DO really like the mauser design. I'd like to come across a still "new" or lightly used Rem798 (interarms mauser type)...for a reasonable price. That CZ is pretty sweet too!

[MVP]

AZ,

If you really want a mauser-type action you should also watch for Modern Husqvarna's and FN's. Generally the prices are really good and the quality quite high. I once owned a coupe of FN 30-11's and they were good rifles within the limitations of the Mauser design. A lot of the post-WWII Yugoslav rilfes I have ssen had relatively skinny looking bolt handles. I'm sure they were/are strong enough but look rather odd to me. As I recall S&W imported rifles from Husqvarna at one time that also used mauser type actions.

MVP

[arizonaguide]

You guys wouldn't believe my Buddy. I may have mentioned that he found an old Rem700 and sent it to me for my project (arrives tomorrow or friday), and wouldn't take any $$$. Well, I get an email today that he said: (wait I'll quote him exactly):

You know the 700 ADL isn't much of a build gun. It's real good just the way it is. I think you'll agree when you see it. Sooo I got messing around on the internet and I found the perfect build gun. A company in Pasadena called Santa Fe Arms imported a bunch of military mausers after the big war. They then put sporter barrels on them and resold them as hunting rifles. The ones that I try to grab are the ones with the German proof marks still on the reciever cuz then you know what you have. Well I found one for you and your pop to mess with. You can go to gunbroker.com, click on the home thing and type "Santa Fe Field mauser" in the search box. Then change the search profile box to auctions ended or closed in the last week. There were a couple of them that popped up, yours is auction number xxxxxxxx. Notice who the old fart is that is the winning bidder! I'll send it to your dealer as soon as it gets here.

Call it Christmas in June if you like. The fact of the matter is I worked a couple real good paying side jobs this month and had some extra cash. I worked for some very well to do folk and I charged them accordingly. Heck I feel a little like Robin Hood. Them rich folk bought you a couple guns and they don't even know it!

I'll ta'k to you when I get back.......I never could keep a secret!

That's the kinda friends I have folks. I just wanted to post this...because I've been so cynical lately, and was kinda just losing faith in people in general. Then something like this. 2weeks ago I was looking for a 30-06 action to build on...now...I'll be paying it "foreward" somehow.

Life is still pretty darn amazing sometimes.

[HOLLiS]

Remington has a light weight 30-06 single shot (Russian made), that is reportedly a good shooter. I have seen them, they are nice but never shot one.

[arizonaguide]

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

Remington has a light weight 30-06 single shot (Russian made), that is reportedly a good shooter. I have seen them, they are nice but never shot one.

I'm not familier with that one, Hollis.

I'll tell you though...this waiting for the UPS guy is worse than being a kid at Christmas.

I'll post some pic's when they get here.
Here's a couple pic's my buddy sent of the converted mauser.
Not tooo fancy...but it fits the bill. I'm happy with it. (can't beat the price!)
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...3928271671.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...3928271437.jpg
The barrelled action/setup will get a new handmade (walnut) stock.

I'll probably follow his suggestion and just leave the Rem700 pretty much alone.

[HOLLiS]

One of best 06's, but they are going up in price, is a Winchester P17. Seems to be more accurate than the 03's.



UPS, deliveries makes everyday like Christmas.

[mojaveman]

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

One of best 06's, but they are going up in price, is a Winchester P17. Seems to be more accurate than the 03's.
UPS, deliveries makes everyday like Christmas.

The M1917 Enfield is a good, solid shooting rifle. There were actually more of them used by American soldiers in WWI than the Springfield. The only reservations that I have with them, if I remember correctly, is that the rear sight is not adjustable for windage.

[arizonaguide]

Thanks everybody for the great input, and for letting me share my 30-06 adventure. This may actually get here in time for Father's day.