Swedish M-38 6.5X55

[jeager106]

I got one as part of a trade. It's in a Ramline plastic stock and looks pretty decent that way.
I just had to have the original dstock znd found them at Numrich arms, supposed to be clean and complete.
NOT!
Parts were missing, the little disk, bayo frog, etc.
I got a new disk for 3 bucks, no frogs available.
Stock cracked through in two places.
It's Husquavarna built 1943, metal in 95%, bore perfect, action smooth as melted butter.
What to do?
Buy more scrap salvaged stock parts and have an ugly 6.6X55 rifle?
Or buy a prettty boyds or whoever's stock, have it drilled and taped for scope mounts, install a medium priced 2 X 7 scope and make a dandy deer killer?
Or try to get simeone to buy it for 200 bucks and salavage what cash I can?
The 6.5X55 is a great caliber that would do? Double duty as a varmint/pest rifle or a fine light big game rifle.
Thoughts appreciated.
Thank you.

[james]

It sounds like it has lost most of its collector value but it would make a nice sporter and may out shoot the new remchesters.  The expense of a new trigger, safety, scope mounts, and glass bedded stock may not be cost effective.  I would try to determine how accurate it is before sinking a few hundred $ in it.  If it is accurate now (as most Swedes are) It would be worthwhile.  I kept my matching m38 & 96 as collectors and put a 6.5 x 55 barrel on a Savage action to hunt with.   If you wish to restore it to the military configuration it, the Swede collectors sites will be glad to help find parts.  Good luck.   

[1911crazy]

"STOP"(kidding)  Before doing anything I would see how good she shoots first.  If its very accurate I would keep it as it is in the military dress and use it.  I found the swede mausers to be very accurate with the irons sites the dam thing can shoot better than i can see.

Since most swede's that i have seen don't have matching stock numbers and some of the metal parts don't match too anyway. I would say if its complete in her military dress its well worth something if she shoots good.  Remember the husqvarna's are worth more and priced much higher too.  Just look at samco's husqvarna m38's.

If the gun shoots great i would leave her in the military dress and enjoy it. Did i say this before? These are going to be priced sky high soon.

[cbxboy]

You mentioned its In a Ramline stock and looks pretty good.......I realize your attempt at restoring to original mil configs but at the price needed to make it look "perfect" how far are you willing to go???  I used to do this and then decided on a couple of projects it was "easier" to just shoot them and keep my eyes peeled on the next deal.

I have spent FAR more on a rifle than its value as a non matching put back together rifle will fetch.  If that is you rpassion then by all means proceed.

If it hasn't been mentioned yet (teasing) you should put it back in Ramline stock, shoot a number of groupings and see if it is indeed as great as we assume it is.  If so, you MAY choose to pretty up by putting into a Boyds stock OR keep trolling away for a stock....keep trolling, keep trolling, it took me 3 years and I found a GORGEOUS stock for my VZ-52 rifle.  Its not original in anyway but it IS pretty.  It fit what I wanted it to fit.  Patience is the key, keep trolling.

If its sitting in a stock and accurate what else you need to know??  $200 in ammo will get you to be a better shot with that rifle than $200 in pretty

P.S.  A cheap 2x7 will give you Cheap results IN MY OPINION.  Has been my results anyway.  A nice Leupold will give you reliable shots but not cheap......Ebay can be nice IF your patient.  Remember Leupold Gold ring is LIFETIME waranty regardless of how purchased

[1911crazy]

I like the 3 post military style scopes on my military rifles but i don't see the affordable ones at www.cdnninvestments.com anymore.

[WILD_WEASEL]

Some years ago I recall somebody (Kimber?) sporterized a large number of Swedish Mausers by (bending and grinding the bolt, grinding smooth the reloading bridge, drilling and tapping for scope rings, and installing a Ramline stock.  Is your rifle one of these?