Looking at an Older Mossberg 30-06 bolt action

[BattleRifleG3]

Found it in a gun shop for $225. Complete with scope. Silly me forgot to check if it had iron sites or not.  Also can't remember the model number.  No luck on the typical classified and auction sites finding something similar.

Had two lug bolt (or was that 4?), button ejector, and lever claw extractor (I like lever claw extractors). Safety was two position and linear - on the rear of the bolt. Wooden stock.

So the question is, is anyone familiar with these and would anyone recommend them? Any pros and cons, typical malfunctions, etc?

[EVOC ONE]

I gained an interest in the older Mossberg rifles when I bought a very nice .308 Mod 800 earlier this year.  I've been keeping an eye out for a matching .30-06.  I have not found very much info regarding either one and have only seen one .30-06 Mod 810 in person.  Occaisionally I see one on an auction site, but after shipping and FFL fees, the prices typically exceed what I'm willing to pay.  Mossberg also made the bolt action for some retail stores.  I've seen them labeled as Western Field, Revelation and New Haven.  From what i can determine, these models were of the Mod 810 series.  The 800 being a short action and the 810 a long action.  Mossberg also marketed a Mod 1500 that I believe was made by Howa and has also been labeled by other companies, such as Smith & Wesson and Howa itself.  From what I've seen on the auction site, $225 is in the ball park.  The scope could be a plus if it appears to be in decent shape. 

Once the search feature is back in service, do a search.  I found most of my info from threads on this site.

I the mean time, I'll throw in some quotes from the copies I printed.

"they were a budget rifle, and there was considerable difference in the short (800) actions and the long (810) actions.  The 800 uses a Weatherby style full diameter bolt with two rows of 3 lugs, while the 810 had two rows of two lugs that were larger in diameter than the bolt body.
The three lug arraingment with it's 60 degree bolt throw lacks camming power both opening and closing which requires you to really slam the bolt handle around.  Since it is tacked onto the bolt with a silver disk, electo welded.
Breaking them loose is quite possible.
The firing pin is of the Arisaka piston type, and there are two different versions, the latter being better.
I believe they were first made for Western Auto under the Western Field brand around 1965, and with the Mossberg name a couple years afterward.  They seem to have been withdrawn from the market about a decade later.
They certainly look good, and are quite strong. but the safety only blocks the trigger, not the firing pin, and like the Remington 788 can never be fully trusted.  keep your chamber empty until you spot the game."

"Yes I have one in .30-06 and I wish they never stopped making them ... as soon as I started reloading the accuracy became better and its been great since '72 when I purchased it yes its been that long ... I will never part with my '06 western auto/ mossberg its one of my favorites."

"... who made the Mossberg 800 D Super Grade rifles in 308 Win..."

"Mossberg made them, then in 1985 they purchased the parts inv. and imp. rights to the rifles S&W was having built and imported from Howa of japan those new model #s are the 1500 series ..."

If you decide not to purchase the Mossy, would you be willing to provide me the gun shop info where it is located?  I'm in Maryland and may be interested.

Hope the info helps.

Thanks

Joe

[BattleRifleG3]

That is an incredibly helpful report, thanks!  The two rows of two lugs sound right.  What I don't understand is how a bolt mounted safety can block only the trigger and not the firing pin.  Might have to take another look at it if it's still there.  I'm in western PA, so any transfer would have to go through FFLs.  Will keep you posted if possible amidst holiday schedules.

[EVOC ONE]

That is an incredibly helpful report, thanks!  The two rows of two lugs sound right.  What I don't understand is how a bolt mounted safety can block only the trigger and not the firing pin.  Might have to take another look at it if it's still there.  I'm in western PA, so any transfer would have to go through FFLs.  Will keep you posted if possible amidst holiday schedules.

I was curious, so I took a closer look at my Mod 800.  It seems to be a very simple operation.  On the top of the trigger is a rectangular block which sits up into the receiver under the slide safety.  On the bottom of the slide safety it another rectangular block.  When the safety is "on" the rectangular block mounted to the slide safety rests against the one on the trigger, rendering it "safe".  When the slide safety is pushed forward, the "block" moves forward allowing the trigger to be fully depressed. The next time you see the .30-06 Mossberg, ask if you can remove the bolt.  You will see what I tried to describe.

Also, I've included a couple pictures that may help.  The rectangular block under the safety is clearly visible.  The block on top of the trigger is positioned to the rear in the receiver.  There is a space to the right of it.




Joe

[BattleRifleG3]

Got to look at it again and yes it does have a 4 lug bolt.  Unlike the Howa/Wby Vanguards, its button ejector is 180 degrees from the lever claw extractor. vs what seems to be 45 degrees.  The safety seems much better than the impression I had earlier; it doesnt just keep the trigger from pulling, it's more of a team effort between the trigger and safety to keep the firing pin secure.

[peakoftherut]

I used to have one in 30-06. I got rid of it because the safety kept being knocked in to the fire position when I would walk thru the brush. I bought it from my neighbor and he still had shells left from the original box of shells he bought with the gun so it was in like new condition.  Acessories were hard to find because so few were made. If you buy keep a close eye on the safety when your hunting.

[EVOC ONE]

I used to have one in 30-06. I got rid of it because the safety kept being knocked in to the fire position when I would walk thru the brush. I bought it from my neighbor and he still had shells left from the original box of shells he bought with the gun so it was in like new condition.  Acessories were hard to find because so few were made. If you buy keep a close eye on the safety when your hunting.

Definitely something to keep in mind.  Thanks much for the info.

Joe

[TRWalker]

Here is a picture of an 810 I recently bought. Well worth the money.

[CzaRon]

Just an aside but if I remember correctly Mossberg produced a premium version under the Pederson name. Beautiful wood and a high gloss finish on the metal.

[EVOC ONE]

TRWalker:  Nice grab.  That's a good looking classic.   

[MGMorden]

Everything I"ve read says they're good rifles, but I've not actually owned one yet. I passed up one in .243 for $145 that I went home to look up information on and it was gone the next time I went back.  I still kick myself over that. Kinda sad because I've seen several in the $175-250 range since, but they're almost invariably .30-06's and I just don't want yet another '06.  If I run across another in either .243 or maybe .270 I would be inclined to pick it up.