lefty mini-mauser action

[greyling]

I just bought a new mini-mauser LH action in 223 from cdnn for 299. they have 1 more if anybody wants it. it's the last of the charles daly inventory.

[db22]

greyling -- That's mighty tempting. How are you going to stock it? There's a LH Savage 11 in .223 on the local used rack for $399. As little as I like Savage looks, they have a good rep for accuracy, and that's a complete rifle for only a hundred more. The action is not a true .223, though -- it's a .308-length that's blocked to function the little .223.

I'd snap up both of them in a minute if I hadn't just acquired a LH Ruger M77 MkII, also second-hand. After refinishing and a general tune-up, it's a fine-looking rifle. Preliminary load tests (cal. .30-'06) show reasonable accuracy, certainly good enough for deer hunting. Will post a pic when I get some extra time (working all the OT I can stand these days).

Will be very interested to hear what you do with your new Mauser action.

[greyling]

I have 3 options. I found an mpi fiberglass right hand that I can try and convert over to lefty (mpi assures me it is possible with patience and fiberglass) there is a mini-mauser right hand stock with no bolt cut on gunbroker for 150 I could try, and there is always richards microfit if I am willing to wait 3 months. I'm a little bummed because these actions were on the charles daly website for 170 shipped, I bought one, and they said oops, we sold them to cdnn 5 days ago. call them. my "cheap" gun is quickly ballooning in price. sigh.

I thought savage build a true short action 223. I opted out of a tikka because they use a long action for their 223. I have a savage 110LH chambered in 257AI with a custom stock I found for a song a couple years back. it puts bullets in the same hole, and restocked, looks pretty good. trigger needs a little work though. it's about 5lbs right now. I would probably buy the used savage, but I like savage.

[db22]

Yep, I can see the costs build up quickly in starting with an action as unusual as the LH Mini-Mauser. As far as I can tell, the Savage .223 is a normal .308-length action blocked for the shorter round. That doesn't bother me, but the Tikka, a .30-'06-length action blocked down to .223, does seem pretty silly.

I have a spare NEF Handi-Rifle frame on the shelf, and am looking for a 1-in-9" twist barrel in .223 to fit to it. If it proves accurate, I will probably be satisfied and leave the Savage for someone else. I'm looking to build a lightweight "walking around varminter" at minimum cost, and .223 brass is free by the shovelful at my club's range, making it the obvious choice for such a rifle.

[greyling]

I've got the handi in 223 that I am selling to do this one. it's accurate enough, but I want a bolt gun. and didn't want to lug around a laminated stock 24" bull barrel.