First Sporterized Mauser for me. Got Many questions

[Freezer]

    I've sporterized a number of muasers for broke friends but always wanted to do one for ME.  A few years ago I got a gunsmith student's 1909 Arg. Mauser cheap.  The bolts turned and correct, it shoots well but the stock though it could be nice leaves alot to be desired.  The barrel was truned shortened and recrowned but it's still the military 7.65x53 .  With two bullet weghits and few designs I don't need this 308 class gun.The trigger has been modified and it has a tang safety.  I have a diecropan system so I will blue it myself.  I'm considering 260 Rem with a synthetic stock.  The first questions come in rebarreling.  After some reading I've learned a little about barrel and bolt squaring and lug laping  and action squaring.  The price of the barrels also vary alot from Adams Bennet at $90 from midway to prices I wouldn't pay for an entire gun.  Where to start? 

[StrawHat]

For what it is worth, I have found that unless you are a competition shooter, most factory barrels are more accurate than we can hold.

A&B barrels are more so, and on up to those really expensive ones.  Unless the get screwed on to the action incorrectly, they will all shoot.

The rest is just window dressing so if you like a fiberglass stock (and can find an appropriate one) go for it.

The same with cartridges.  As long as it fits the bolt head and it is what you want, it will work.  You mentioned 260 Remington, I don't know if it is the same head size as the 7.65x53 but if it is, great.

I used to prefer the 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge and would argue it as a better choice.  Now I prefer larger caliber.

Have you considered using the 7.65x53 as the basis for a wildcat?  Maybe 35 or 40 caliber?

Bottom line is custom rifles are what you want them to be.  Everyone will make suggestions but you have to wade through it all to choose.

Look at the options.

For what you can spend on a custom, you could buy several off the shelf models.

[Freezer]

Your last statement is my delemema.  I chose 260 Rem because it's an updated 6.5x55.  It's alittle faster and flater than the 6.5x55.  All my life I've handled guns I wanted to own, I have them all except a Mauser I sporterized myself and a Manlicher Shonhire (bad speling) I may never be able to aford that one   I've sporterized a few Mausers for my broke friends and they look and shoot fine but this one is for me and I want it to shoot to 400yrds.  I like the 6.5 because of it's high bullet co-effecent, deep penatration, light recoiland large bullet selection, I hand load.  For my hunting needs the 260 Rem will be the one gun does almost everything.  My Savage 99f in 308 will be my lightweight carry gun.  I'm planing on a 24 in barrel with a 9.5 twist in matt black with a 3x9 Leupold on top.  I'm just woundering if all the truing laping and squarung is necessary.  That will add alot of cost to a gun I'll never sell.  I thought about a fancy piece of wood and a deep blue ut that first scrach would break my heart and where I hunt it will happen on the first outing. so a synthetic stock with a free floating stock and aluminim bed is what it will be.
   Actually I thought about the 325wsm but there are too many obsticals to over come the greatest one being feeding problems.

[StrawHat]

[

quote author=Freezer link=topic=137870.msg1098537858#msg1098537858 date=1203004363] but this one is for me and I want it to shoot to 400yrds.

 I thought about a fancy piece of wood and a deep blue ut that first scrach would break my heart and where I hunt it will happen on the first outing. so a synthetic stock with a free floating stock and aluminim bed is what it will be.
   [/quote

If all you want is a 400 yard gun, get a 45-70! 

As to good wood and deep deep blue, a good oil finish will respond to touch up and the blue will last for many years .

Each scratch will remind you of your days in the field.  Each memory should be cherished.

[gunnut69]

As to caliber it's a real personal choice. I really like the 280 Rem but a 6.5-06 would be a really nice long range choice too. The extra capacity in the case allows more velocity with the heavier bullets.. The Swedish round has a larger case capacity than the 260 but the 260 is loaded to higher pressures so delivers similar velocity. The 6.5x55 brass is quite capable of containing 260 pressures in a stronger action than the very early Mauser's. I too have worked on other peoples stocks for years and very few for myself.. but I much prefer wood. The prettier the better(limited by budget of course). A nice oil finish and rust blue. easy touch up and warm in the hand, easy on the eye. I can't abide plastic but have used and kinda like laminates..