1909 Arg Muaser sporter job

[Freezer]

  I've Sporterized a few 98s for my broke friends and they turned out looking and shooting great.I've always wanted to do one for myself but don't want to do a half way job.  A few years ago I bought a student gunsmith project gun with a turned and cut barrel chambered in 7.65x53.  It was meant as a fast handling 308 class gun. Now that my arm is in a sling , I'm out of work for a few months and I have a Savage 99f in 308 I think I'll build that custom sporter I always wanted.  I plan on a 22 or 24in sporter taper Barrel chambered in 260 Rem.   Now the cuestions begin.  I'v heard of places where I can ernt tools but what little I've read speaks of sqauring, truing and laping the bolt face, barrel face and the action.  Shaw will want close to $600 (without a stock).  I can get a barrel and stock from Adams Bennet for about $200.  and rent most of the tools.     Where to start.

[Mikey]

Freezer:  sorry about your arm, but since you're going to begin a project you may want to start with our sponsors list here at Graybeard's.  At least one sponsor is a barrel maker and yet another may rent tools.  But, unless you are a skilled gunsmith with the kind of experience needed to do what you are thinking about - and you may wish to run these questions pat the gunnut69, our Gunsmithing Forum Moderator - you might be better off having those things done by the shop/firm that rebarrels your action.  It could save you a lot of grief later on, 'cause your project sounds like a nice one.  I like the 260 cartridge and the 7.65x53 Argentine Mausers in 7.65x53 have, I believe, the same case head dimentions as the other rimless Mauser cartridges.  HTH.  Mikey.

[IOWA DON]

This is probably not very important but I once read that on all military Mauser rifle the rails were made for the exact cartridge they were intended for. That is, the width and taper was exactly planned for the diameter and taper of the cartridge the action was chambered for for the best possible feeding. Anyway, I had a 1909 Argentine Mauser fixed up and decided to go with a cartridge with a similar body taper to the original cartridge. I decided on a 7X57, but a 6.5X57, 8X57 or 6MM Rem would have a similar taper and be the right length. The .243, .260, .308 and .358 are a little more blown out. Also, my gunsmith said that most of the chamber reamers for the 7X57 do not have the long freebore to accommodate the 175-grain military bullets. Jump to the lands is a short distance with bullets pointed bullets in the 140-grain weight range. And they pretty much use all the magazine length. I used a Shilen pre-chambered and threaded barrel and it did not take long for the gunsmith to get it fitted up to the action. Also, I had the gunsmith cut and re-weld the bolt rather than bend it as he would have done. I could use lower scope mounts that way.

[Freezer]

  The bolt has been changed already and it wears a 2x7 Redfield wide field.  I like the rifle but it's nitch has been filed by a Savage 99f in 308.  Since my wife is thinking about hunting with me I figured I like a weather resistant rifle with mild recoil that can stop anything from ground squirrels to pig and deer.  I'll need the gun to shoot out to 400 yrds so bench rest acuracy isn't needed.  I also hand load so I can work up the best loads for the gun and game I pursue.  I've also seen load data for the 260 AI and I don't have a problem with fire forming cases. Decissions, decisions.  I guess the best question should be, where can I learn more about the finer points of sporterizing this fine action?  Is it cheaper to rent the tools or have someone do the action and barrel?  Time I have!