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Old October 20, 2012, 10:26 AM   #1
taylorce1
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Calling Scorch and other Mauser guys!

I came across a sporterized Siames Mauser in 8X50 R. It is a poor job but can be saved as a rifle in another chamber. I know several rimmed rounds can fit in this action I'm thinking a .30-40 Krag AI or the obvious .45-70. I've been looking as well at Garry Reeder's cartridges based off the .405 Win, I'm just not sure they will fit in the action.

So if you had an action like this what would you build on it?
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Old October 20, 2012, 02:02 PM   #2
Scorch
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Siamese Mausers are strong actions, and the fact that they are set up for rimmed cartridges gets a lot of attention for a 45-70 build, but there are other options if you really take your time and figure them out. The major caveat with a Siamese Mauser is magazine length. And before you start you need to ask "what am I going to do with this rifle?" so you pick an appropriate cartridge. I found a Siamese Mauser action but it's missing the magazine assembly (the owner has a standard M98 magazine attached and was surprised when I told him it was a Siamese Mauser).

8X50Rmm rim diameter is .550", so you have quite a few options as far as rimmed cartridges. Of course, you can go to 45-70, so we will kind of gloss over that one. You could also go with 30-40 as you mentioned, 405 Winchester (I think this one would be cool), 444 Marlin (a little loose on the bolt face, but it would work), just about any .532" belted or beltless magnum, or one of the many 40-caliber or 44-caliber BP target rounds from Remington, Winchester, Sharps, Ballard, etc. If you are so inclined, you could chamber it is 30-30 or one of its offspring (219 Zipper, 219 Wasp, 25-35, 32 Special, 375 Win, etc), or one of the wildcats based on 30-30 brass (357 Herret and such) There are numerous British rimmed cartridges (flanged to the Brits) if you are looking to build something unusual like a 375 Flanged H&H, although you would be well-served to make sure you can get brass before you do so. There are also numerous wildcats that would be interesting: 416 Barnes (based on the 45-70), 450 Alaskan (based on 348), 458 American (based on shortened 458 Win Mag brass).

So what are you wanting to do with it?
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Last edited by Scorch; October 20, 2012 at 02:07 PM.
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Old October 20, 2012, 02:46 PM   #3
taylorce1
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Quote:
So what are you wanting to do with it?
That is the million dollar question! I want to do something out of the norm with it but I don't want to make something that is hard to chase down brass for. From your suggestions the .444 Marlin based JDJ cartridges sounds like fun. Gary Reeder's GNR cartridges based off the .405 Win case are some others I'm seriously considering, especially the .310 GNR which is supposed to fall somewhere between the .300 H&H and Win Mag.

Anyway, I haven't decided on the cartridge yet but I want something that near modern performance.
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Old October 20, 2012, 04:52 PM   #4
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Just a suggestion, you might give serious consideration to the 30/40AI. I have one in a Martini. I use a 180gr RN Hornady as it gave me the best accuracy loafing along at 2200fps and when I shoot a deer it pretty much drops in its tracks. Magnum? I don't need no stinkin' magnum! GW
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Old October 20, 2012, 05:15 PM   #5
taylorce1
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I can get 2200 fps from a standard .30-40 without the AI.
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Old October 21, 2012, 03:29 AM   #6
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Mauser and 9.3 bullets belong together

9.3×74mmR if you must have rimmed

or just the more general 9.3×62mm
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Old October 21, 2012, 04:18 AM   #7
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IMO,the .405 is worth looking at.Factory 300 gr loads about 2400 fps.Woodleigh makes some bullets for the .450-400 of appropriatre dia ,designed for about the right velocity,at 400 gr.At proper .405 pressures it will go 1900 fps.Benchmark works in the .405

A whole host of cast bullets are available,and cast 400 or so gr bullets are a good match to the 1900 fps potential.

Another thing,the 405 is loaded IIRC,in the vicinity of 40,000 psi.The siamese is strong enough to step it up a bit

Playing with making cases for a 40-70 sharps straight,refering to the SPG lube booklet,I used to blow out 30-40 brass straight to make near 40-70 Sharps brass.Then we got blessed with Hornady .405 brass.It became silly to mess with 30-40.Consider 405 to be a lot like .303 and 30-40 basic brass.

I suppose you could neck it down;375,9.3,358,338,etc.Myself,I'd try to line up a bullet designed for a similar velocity so it will perform.

I'd go .405,standard dies,reamer,Hornady brass,300 and 400 gr factory bullets,cast bullet versatility.

And iron sights.Rainy day rifle.
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Old October 21, 2012, 08:36 AM   #8
taylorce1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Husqvarna
Mauser and 9.3 bullets belong together

9.3×74mmR if you must have rimmed
Way to long of a case to even fit in the magazine.
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