customize a 7mm mauser chilino

[Phoneman]

hey guys I'm going on a bear hunt next year and I have an old chilino 7mm mauser. I'm thinking of taking this gun since it has a sporterized stock and scope. It isn't super accurate or anything yet. What I would like to do is glass bed the stock and cut the barrel down to about 24 in. and put a new crown on it. I've also thought about duracoating it and jeweling the bolt. last 2 for looks. would 24 in. be too short for this gun? perhaps porting the barrel as well as shortening it. I've thought about a boss. but I'm not sure. any input would be appriciated.  thanks.

[gunnut69]

This is likely a Model '93 or '95 mauser. As such it is not the best action for sporterizing but it can be done. I would have the rifle thoroughly checked by a competant smith before investing the time and money in this rifle. That said the 7x57 mauser round is a good one and will easily do what you're asking of it, if you're speaking of black bears.. For the larger bears it would be marginbal at best. Re-crowning is usually a good idea if well done and 24 inches is adequate for the 7x57. I detest muzzle brakes and most guides do also and they are totally not necessary on the mild mannered 7x57.

[skippermdj]

I have a Vz24 action with a 7x547 military barrel on it, cut down to 24".  It shoots 140-grain bullets very well.  Haven't tried any other bullet weights.   I use the loads in the Nosler manual, which IIRC are limited to 46,000CUP to be compatible with the older Mausers. 

Recoil is light - I sure wouldn't mess around with a BOSS, ports or a muzzle brake. 

Often the muzzle on older military barrels is worn from cleaning, so cuttting it down to 24" and recrowning may improve your accuracy.  I just duracoated my 7x57 and am extremely pleased with the appearance.

Godd luck!

[Phoneman]

Not a fan of breaks or boss' myself. just a thought. I've shot the gun quite a-lot. And it has no problems. The rifleing in the gun is in mint condition. It is a good shooter up to 100 yards but after that it misses more targets than it hits. I think the gun was someone elses project before i got it. they drilled and tapted the mounts but never finished them and they put the stock on but never fully fitted it. I finished the mounts and fitted the stock. plus reblued it. But the length and weight of the gun doesn't make it a pleasure to carry. I think rebedding the stock and cutting the barrel will do more good than harm. I think it will be my January project. I'll post before and after pics when it's done. Time to visit brownells. Thanks.

[ringo]

If you are shooting reasonably at 100yds, you might want to do the work suggested, glass bedding, pillar bedding, cutting the barrel to 23 to 24", 11' crown, free floating the barrel, and a good after market trigger.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/ringo338/Mausers/chileno001.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/ringo338/Mausers/chileno002.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/ringo338/Mausers/chileno003.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/ringo338/Mausers/chileno004.jpg

Here's some pics of mine, it is in a Fajen stock with a Pachmayr recoil pad.