Help choosing cartridge for Mauser action...

std7mag · May 12, 2019, 07:27 PM

So, after doing some digging and measuring i've come to the conclusion that the "German" Mauser i got at auction is actually a large ring M44 Spanish Mauser.

There is no caliber stamped, and i really just don't feel like taking the time to do a casting.
The original stock was hacked attemting to sporterize it.
So it is getting a new barrel and stock.

As my name implies, i like the 7mm. I also like the quarter bores.
So....
25 Souper
25-284
7X57 Mauser
284 Win

Help me choose.

I'm going to go for light weight hunting on this build.
I know i already have a commercial Mauser in 284 Win that i've built, but it weighs 10 lbs.
Oh, and if you say Manbun, your gonna be sent to the corner to think about your misdeeds! Lol

ligonierbill · May 12, 2019, 07:51 PM

After wringing my hands for a couple weeks, the first one I rebarreled went to .257 Roberts. For a real DIY, Brownells still has their $95 special in 25-06 and 6.5x55. I put a 6.5 on another Mauser, and it has worked out very well. If I recall, the 25-06 can challenge the magazine length, but it's a great round. Of course, you can't go wrong with 7x57. Have fun.

FrankenMauser · May 12, 2019, 08:31 PM

9x57mm (.358", not .366"), 8x57mm, 7x57mm, and 6.5-284 would be at the top of my list.

LineStretcher · May 12, 2019, 09:19 PM

Did you get that one on GunBroker with the upgraded stock and 22" barrel?. If so I bid on it twice and then after I got my Turk I stopped bidding. I had the Turk out today and it shoots darn well. 2" groups off the bench with an occasional flyer. It shot better than my SKS.

Nathan · May 12, 2019, 09:20 PM

What is your bolt face diameter?

big al hunter · May 12, 2019, 11:43 PM

Quarter bores are fun. But the traditional side of me says " it's a MAUSER....so only 7x57 would be appropriate"
And there isn't any critter walking around your neck of the woods that it couldn't handle.

Tough choice though, all of them are good cartridges.

The non-traditional side of me screams 25 Souper, just for fun.

I think I would let the stock decide. Are you looking at a traditional stock, or a tricked out adjustable with do-dahs hanging all about?

std7mag · May 12, 2019, 11:43 PM

Linestretcher,
Nope, not Gunbroker. Gotten from a local auction. See my other thread on couldn't stop myself...

Nathan,
It's a standard 0.473" face. It's looking like a long action, so maybe the 25-06 might be in the running also.

Don't know how to post a poll.

Geezerbiker · May 12, 2019, 11:46 PM

How about the .257 Roberts?

Tony

Nathan · May 13, 2019, 04:06 AM

6.5x55....look at the ballistics....it can do amazing things....everything from antelope to moose!

jmr40 · May 13, 2019, 06:14 AM

Long action, 7X57 or 280. I'd go 280 and maybe 280 AI.

Mobuck · May 13, 2019, 07:00 AM

7x57 is always a good choice made better if you handload.
280 is what the 270 should have been and wasn't. I like it. I had one built for my older Son's college graduation present. It does an excellent job at all practical ranges on whitetails and I wouldn't pass it up as an elk cartridge. A bit more recoil than the 7x57 but a step up the ladder in performance, too.
I'd been waiting to find a 280 in a Ruger stainless synthetic 77 but now my shoulder can't tolerate that level of recoil so I guess that desire will never be fulfilled.

old roper · May 13, 2019, 08:00 AM

Going lighter, another 284 long action be nice if you really don't mine having two.

F. Guffey · May 13, 2019, 09:11 AM

Quote:

it is getting a new barrel and stock.

I guess it is necessary to say ever situation is different. I would find it necessary to determine what reamers are available. I have an 8MM/06 reamer. I have found no down side to going with the 8MM/06 and I have never found it necessary to removed the barrel from the action.

And then there are barrels, I have committed to building a bench rest looking rifle for my son, it appears the barrel outweighs the rifle less the barrel. I have not threaded the barrels so I have not committed to the actions. I have a barrel that is threaded for the 03 but I am not willing to give up a rifle for the action. I have no shortage of Mauser actions, M1917s and P14s.

F. Guffey

FrankenMauser · May 13, 2019, 09:48 AM

Quote:

6.5x55....look at the ballistics....it can do amazing things....everything from antelope to moose!

Thanks for bringing that up.
The 6.5 Swede flashed through my mind while I was typing my response, but was gone by the time I got to 6.5-284.
Arguably different beasts, but neither is a bad choice.

std7mag · May 13, 2019, 10:15 AM

I've already decided on a Boyds Prairie Hunter stock. No adjustable dodads on this build.
Barrel will be from E.R. Shaw. I have 3 barrels from them already that i'm very happy with.
In the stable already are.
250 Savage (Stevens 200)
257 Roberts (Ruger 77 MKII)
7mm-08AI (Savage Axis)
280 Rem (Ruger 77 MKII, and soon Forbes 24B)
284 Win (Whitworth Mark X)
7mm Rem Mag (Savage 111)

My 2 front runners are the 25 Souper, and 7X57 Mauser.
Another one i've thought about is the 6.5X57 Mauser. But would require me to get yet another caliber of bullets.

I'm not worried about reamer availability as anything i want is a phone call away to PTG.

taylorce1 · May 13, 2019, 10:30 AM

First, measure the magazine and what's the longest COAL you can use.

Second, look at bullets and their length.

Third, find a cartridge that allows you to seat the longest bullet you might use without intruding on case capacity at max COAL.

Fourth, focus on main use of the rifle and build accordingly.

Everything else will fall into place.

T. O'Heir · May 13, 2019, 12:13 PM

To do what with?
"...the time to do a casting..." Slug the barrel. It might already a 7mm Mauser.

Pathfinder45 · May 13, 2019, 12:49 PM

If the action is not quite long enough for it to be a 270 Winchester, then I would probably choose 6.5x57 Mauser, or 6.5x55 Swede, or 6.5x57 Ackley Improved if confident it will feed reliably.

F. Guffey · May 13, 2019, 12:59 PM

Quote:

To do what with?
"...the time to do a casting..." Slug the barrel. It might already a 7mm Mauser.

The 8MM Mauser barrel has a .311" diameter, If I was wondering if the barrel was 308" diameter or 8MM I would drop a 30/06 bullet down the 8MM barrel. The bullet will not build any speed because it will spin,

If the barrel is 7MM the 308" diameter bullet will just sit there.

And then there is that thing about casting the chamber.

F. Guffey

RC20 · May 13, 2019, 01:12 PM

For all you plan on doing I would get a casting to see what it is, even if you use a Gunsmith (you will need one for the barrel?)

Otherwise I tend to 7 x 57, 260 Remington or 6.5 Swedish.

stagpanther · May 13, 2019, 01:54 PM

I'm with Guffey--give the nod to 8mm 06 if that's an option.

ammo.crafter · May 13, 2019, 03:31 PM

6mm Remingtion

Paul B. · May 13, 2019, 04:54 PM

"As my name implies, i like the 7mm. I also like the quarter bores.
So...."

The action is a "German" Mauser and you have to ask?

That screams 7x57 so loud that it's deafening.

Seriously, I took an FN Mauser in .270 and rebarreled it to yup, you guessed it, 7x57. I'm currently in the process of finding a load I'd consider suitable for an upcoming elk hunt. I already have a good load with the 150 gr. Nosler Partition at 2700+FPS and am now working with the 160 gr. Speer Hot Core. Looking forward to whatever the results may be.
Paul B.

Scorch · May 13, 2019, 08:27 PM

Well, from a gunsmith's perspective, anything based on 308 will have issues with feeding just due to shape. 284 works well, 7X57 works well (I own 5 of them now), 6mm, 22 Texas Trophy Hunter is a really fast little number, 280 works well. Or, for a thumper, you could be unconventional and go with 9.5X57 or some such nonsense. I've been thinking of a 6.5X57 myself just to tick off the Creedmore crowd if nothing else.

std7mag · May 14, 2019, 02:05 AM

Paul B,
The rifle was advertised as a "German Mauser".
When in fact it's a Spanish Mauser.

Not wasting my time on this barrel, as i've already decided to swap it. And no, i don't need a smith, i do my own. Friend has a lathe to square up receiver face, bolt face. I'll probably have to borrow his torch also to recontour the bolt handle.

I'm mostly leaning towards the 7X57 Mauser, but i like the way Scorch thinks.

Drumming around a 358X57...

May 12, 2019, 07:27 PM	#1
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Help choosing cartridge for Mauser action... So, after doing some digging and measuring i've come to the conclusion that the "German" Mauser i got at auction is actually a large ring M44 Spanish Mauser. There is no caliber stamped, and i really just don't feel like taking the time to do a casting. The original stock was hacked attemting to sporterize it. So it is getting a new barrel and stock. As my name implies, i like the 7mm. I also like the quarter bores. So.... 25 Souper 25-284 7X57 Mauser 284 Win Help me choose. I'm going to go for light weight hunting on this build. I know i already have a commercial Mauser in 284 Win that i've built, but it weighs 10 lbs. Oh, and if you say Manbun, your gonna be sent to the corner to think about your misdeeds! Lol __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 12, 2019, 08:31 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	9x57mm (.358", not .366"), 8x57mm, 7x57mm, and 6.5-284 would be at the top of my list. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 12, 2019, 11:43 PM	#6
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Quarter bores are fun. But the traditional side of me says " it's a MAUSER....so only 7x57 would be appropriate" And there isn't any critter walking around your neck of the woods that it couldn't handle. Tough choice though, all of them are good cartridges. The non-traditional side of me screams 25 Souper, just for fun. I think I would let the stock decide. Are you looking at a traditional stock, or a tricked out adjustable with do-dahs hanging all about? __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

May 12, 2019, 11:43 PM	#7
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Linestretcher, Nope, not Gunbroker. Gotten from a local auction. See my other thread on couldn't stop myself... Nathan, It's a standard 0.473" face. It's looking like a long action, so maybe the 25-06 might be in the running also. Don't know how to post a poll. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 13, 2019, 06:14 AM	#10
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Long action, 7X57 or 280. I'd go 280 and maybe 280 AI. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

May 12, 2019, 07:51 PM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,454	After wringing my hands for a couple weeks, the first one I rebarreled went to .257 Roberts. For a real DIY, Brownells still has their $95 special in 25-06 and 6.5x55. I put a 6.5 on another Mauser, and it has worked out very well. If I recall, the 25-06 can challenge the magazine length, but it's a great round. Of course, you can't go wrong with 7x57. Have fun.

May 12, 2019, 09:19 PM	#4
LineStretcher Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2018 Posts: 619	Did you get that one on GunBroker with the upgraded stock and 22" barrel?. If so I bid on it twice and then after I got my Turk I stopped bidding. I had the Turk out today and it shoots darn well. 2" groups off the bench with an occasional flyer. It shot better than my SKS.

May 12, 2019, 09:20 PM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	What is your bolt face diameter?

May 12, 2019, 11:46 PM	#8
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	How about the .257 Roberts? Tony

May 13, 2019, 04:06 AM	#9
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	6.5x55....look at the ballistics....it can do amazing things....everything from antelope to moose!

May 13, 2019, 07:00 AM	#11
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	7x57 is always a good choice made better if you handload. 280 is what the 270 should have been and wasn't. I like it. I had one built for my older Son's college graduation present. It does an excellent job at all practical ranges on whitetails and I wouldn't pass it up as an elk cartridge. A bit more recoil than the 7x57 but a step up the ladder in performance, too. I'd been waiting to find a 280 in a Ruger stainless synthetic 77 but now my shoulder can't tolerate that level of recoil so I guess that desire will never be fulfilled.

May 13, 2019, 08:00 AM	#12
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	Going lighter, another 284 long action be nice if you really don't mine having two. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

May 13, 2019, 10:15 AM	#15
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I've already decided on a Boyds Prairie Hunter stock. No adjustable dodads on this build. Barrel will be from E.R. Shaw. I have 3 barrels from them already that i'm very happy with. In the stable already are. 250 Savage (Stevens 200) 257 Roberts (Ruger 77 MKII) 7mm-08AI (Savage Axis) 280 Rem (Ruger 77 MKII, and soon Forbes 24B) 284 Win (Whitworth Mark X) 7mm Rem Mag (Savage 111) My 2 front runners are the 25 Souper, and 7X57 Mauser. Another one i've thought about is the 6.5X57 Mauser. But would require me to get yet another caliber of bullets. I'm not worried about reamer availability as anything i want is a phone call away to PTG. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

May 13, 2019, 10:30 AM	#16
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	First, measure the magazine and what's the longest COAL you can use. Second, look at bullets and their length. Third, find a cartridge that allows you to seat the longest bullet you might use without intruding on case capacity at max COAL. Fourth, focus on main use of the rifle and build accordingly. Everything else will fall into place. __________________ NRA Life Member

May 13, 2019, 12:13 PM	#17
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	To do what with? "...the time to do a casting..." Slug the barrel. It might already a 7mm Mauser. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

May 13, 2019, 12:49 PM	#18
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	If the action is not quite long enough for it to be a 270 Winchester, then I would probably choose 6.5x57 Mauser, or 6.5x55 Swede, or 6.5x57 Ackley Improved if confident it will feed reliably.

May 13, 2019, 01:12 PM	#20
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	For all you plan on doing I would get a casting to see what it is, even if you use a Gunsmith (you will need one for the barrel?) Otherwise I tend to 7 x 57, 260 Remington or 6.5 Swedish. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

May 13, 2019, 01:54 PM	#21
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,784	I'm with Guffey--give the nod to 8mm 06 if that's an option. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 13, 2019, 03:31 PM	#22
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	98 6mm Remingtion __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

May 13, 2019, 04:54 PM	#23
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	"As my name implies, i like the 7mm. I also like the quarter bores. So...." The action is a "German" Mauser and you have to ask? That screams 7x57 so loud that it's deafening. Seriously, I took an FN Mauser in .270 and rebarreled it to yup, you guessed it, 7x57. I'm currently in the process of finding a load I'd consider suitable for an upcoming elk hunt. I already have a good load with the 150 gr. Nosler Partition at 2700+FPS and am now working with the 160 gr. Speer Hot Core. Looking forward to whatever the results may be. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

May 13, 2019, 08:27 PM	#24
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Well, from a gunsmith's perspective, anything based on 308 will have issues with feeding just due to shape. 284 works well, 7X57 works well (I own 5 of them now), 6mm, 22 Texas Trophy Hunter is a really fast little number, 280 works well. Or, for a thumper, you could be unconventional and go with 9.5X57 or some such nonsense. I've been thinking of a 6.5X57 myself just to tick off the Creedmore crowd if nothing else. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 14, 2019, 02:05 AM	#25
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Paul B, The rifle was advertised as a "German Mauser". When in fact it's a Spanish Mauser. Not wasting my time on this barrel, as i've already decided to swap it. And no, i don't need a smith, i do my own. Friend has a lathe to square up receiver face, bolt face. I'll probably have to borrow his torch also to recontour the bolt handle. I'm mostly leaning towards the 7X57 Mauser, but i like the way Scorch thinks. Drumming around a 358X57... __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...