fire lapping swede mauser

marks655 · January 22, 2006, 04:12 PM

I have two sporterized 96 mausers and both shoot very well (often under 0.5 MOA with a cold, clean barrel using handloads) but they tend to copper foul rather quickly. I use lots of Sweets and JB to get them clean.

I have read these rifles tend to have tight bores. The barrels on both are 'new in the white' M38 replacements I got from SARCO about 10 years ago. Should I try a fire-lapping kit to reduce fouling, or just shoot them as is and buy Sweets in the gallon size.

Please advise.

Wildalaska · January 22, 2006, 06:44 PM

If you have a rifle shooting .5 MOA, firelapping is somehting you shouldnt even think of.

WildelbowgreaseisgoodAlaska

solvability · January 22, 2006, 08:26 PM

Shoot them and clean them - they will polish over time and get better - if you want to speed it up use some J&B - it works very well.

I have seen this before and have never resorted to fire lapping.

Harry Bonar · January 22, 2006, 08:41 PM

Dear Shooter":
Wildalasaka is as usual right in the bulls-eye - leave them alone - I dissaprove of "fire- laping" any-hows!
Those Swedes are sweet rifles!
Harry B.

tINY · January 23, 2006, 12:58 AM

0.5 MOA - if you fire-lap the barrel, you'll lengthen the leade and it probably won't shoot as well afterward.

If you really hate cleaning them that much, you should slug the barrel and hand-lap it a little. But, that may open up the groups too..

-tINY

James K · January 23, 2006, 01:56 PM

There are lots of guys who would kill for a rifle that will shoot .5" cold. Why not trade yours and get a ratty old thing you can play with and not hurt much?

Jim

marks655 · January 24, 2006, 09:49 PM

I should clarify - my swede mausers often put the first THREE shots into less than 0.5 MOA. I'm not patient enough to wait for the barrel to cool down and see if they will do two more in the same place. Besides, when the first three make one big hole I get too excited to finish a decent 5-shot group anyway.

Nonetheless, it has been my experience with swedish mausers and the 6.5x55 cartridge that sub-1 and even sub 0.5 MOA isn't rare.

January 22, 2006, 04:12 PM	#1
marks655 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 363	fire lapping swede mauser I have two sporterized 96 mausers and both shoot very well (often under 0.5 MOA with a cold, clean barrel using handloads) but they tend to copper foul rather quickly. I use lots of Sweets and JB to get them clean. I have read these rifles tend to have tight bores. The barrels on both are 'new in the white' M38 replacements I got from SARCO about 10 years ago. Should I try a fire-lapping kit to reduce fouling, or just shoot them as is and buy Sweets in the gallon size. Please advise.

January 22, 2006, 08:41 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	fire-laping: Dear Shooter": Wildalasaka is as usual right in the bulls-eye - leave them alone - I dissaprove of "fire- laping" any-hows! Those Swedes are sweet rifles! Harry B.

January 24, 2006, 09:49 PM	#7
marks655 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 363	I should clarify - my swede mausers often put the first THREE shots into less than 0.5 MOA. I'm not patient enough to wait for the barrel to cool down and see if they will do two more in the same place. Besides, when the first three make one big hole I get too excited to finish a decent 5-shot group anyway. Nonetheless, it has been my experience with swedish mausers and the 6.5x55 cartridge that sub-1 and even sub 0.5 MOA isn't rare. Last edited by marks655; March 12, 2006 at 09:11 PM.

January 22, 2006, 06:44 PM	#2
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	If you have a rifle shooting .5 MOA, firelapping is somehting you shouldnt even think of. WildelbowgreaseisgoodAlaska

January 22, 2006, 08:26 PM	#3
solvability Member Join Date: March 5, 2005 Location: HSV Posts: 98	Shoot them and clean them - they will polish over time and get better - if you want to speed it up use some J&B - it works very well. I have seen this before and have never resorted to fire lapping.

January 23, 2006, 12:58 AM	#5
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	0.5 MOA - if you fire-lap the barrel, you'll lengthen the leade and it probably won't shoot as well afterward. If you really hate cleaning them that much, you should slug the barrel and hand-lap it a little. But, that may open up the groups too.. -tINY

January 23, 2006, 01:56 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There are lots of guys who would kill for a rifle that will shoot .5" cold. Why not trade yours and get a ratty old thing you can play with and not hurt much? Jim