Here is a report from Mr. Crufflestopheles on a three bore Swede
http://www.angelfire.com/realm/cruffler/Pages/m96.htmM1896 Swedish Mauser
6.5x55
This is one of the few perfectly good milsurp rifles that I sporterized. Back when wholesale on M96 Swedes was in the 60-80$ range, I bought 4 of them. I picked the worst of them to sporterize. It had an arsenal repaired stock that was well dinged up, the rear reciever had two holes in it, filled with brass plugs, and the disc indicated a condition "3" bore. At that time I had no idea that the "3" of the Swedes was often better than many other countries new rifles in terms of accuracy. The modifications are simple on this one: I replaced the arsenal repaired stock with a used one picked up at a gunshow, added the Holden Ironsighter see through scope mounts, had the smith bend the bolt, and added sling swivels and a Harris bipod. I added a Tasco 4x16 HighCountry scope. I bore sighted it, and after just three shots of factory Remington loads, I began grinning like an idiot. I knew I had a winner. Click here to see my targets shot w/ handloads. So a total investment of $300, including the scope and bipod, I have the most accurate rifle I have ever fired. I can regularly womp groundhogs (and one coyote!) out two 250-275 yards. I dream of taking this out west someday for some prairedog shooting at 300-500 yards.
m96bipod.JPG (42365 bytes)
This target is typical for this particular Swedish M96 rifle. I can usually group my best loads with almost all shots touching, though it seems to always throw one off, like #5 below. Still, who would expect this accuracy from a 100 year old $75 rifle @ 100 yards?
This load was 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, 43gr of IMR 4895 powder, PMC brass & winchester WLR primers. Lee Factory Crimp Die.
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I know that the thought of "sporterizing" is anathema to many of us. Here is Mr. Crufflestopheles' philosophy on sporterizing:
"Misericordia.
I confess. Though I collect vintage military weapons I have sporterized a few as well.
In my defence, I try to only sporterize those that other people have butchered already. In this case I choose the minima de malis, so to speak, and turn these butchered, maimed, tortured pieces of history into redeemed beauties, mirabile visu.
What is "Sporterizing"? Essentially, that is the process by which one takes a firearm in military trim, discards those features that are strictly military and/or counterproductive or useless in a comparable civilian or 'sporting' firearm. Typical changes would include removing all non-essential weight, adding telescopic sights, changing it to a more commonly available civilian calibre. Shortening the length of the barrel and replacing or re-contouring the stock are also common changes. One may not save money over the price of a commercial firearm, but one will have a firearm that is typically unique to the owner. (another reason to 'sporterize'.) Please note that I do not encourage anyone to butcher a military piece that is in original condition or restorable thereto. Those pieces should be treasured and preserved as historical relics worthy of collection and study. There are more than enough already butchered pieces at pawns, gun-shops, shows and peoples basements to satisfy the most voracious appetite to customize."
