Rescuing a Mauser in 303 British

Ok folks I am about to correct someones half hearted attempt at gunsmithing and we are going to post the picturial right here on ATG. I have been trying to sell this rifle with no luck all during hunting season, so now we are going to fix it up.

What were are starting out with is a Spanish Mauser that has been re-chambered twice on the orignal military step down barrel, front and rear sights removed for using a scope and the metal left in the white. The solder marks are still there and some kind of barrel stamping from hell.

The stock is missing a few parts but overall it looks good, the trigger on the other hand sucks royally. As soon as I get it back from the store that has given up on trying to sell it, I'll post pics.

All work will be done in house and the finished item will then be sold. So stay tuned for more action and pics.

I can not wait to see the results! I have a Lee Enfield in 303 that I so bad want to get finished. All I need is a stock. I think I am finally going to break down and get a sporterized stock for it as I can't find an all original wooden stock for a decent price...

Please keep us informed... Pm with a price if you already have one in mind, if I can swing it, we might talk...

??? a spanish mauser action with a boogered trigger?!?!? I have yet to come across a spanish mauser i didn't like, this could be fun!

Very interesting - - Sounds like I need to tune in and see if I can pick up some tidbits to try on my old mauser

Daywalker wrote:I can not wait to see the results! I have a Lee Enfield in 303 that I so bad want to get finished. All I need is a stock. I think I am finally going to break down and get a sporterized stock for it as I can't find an all original wooden stock for a decent price...

Please keep us informed... Pm with a price if you already have one in mind, if I can swing it, we might talk...

tommy,

Boyds gunstocks has enfield replacement stocks.... they are reasonable as can be.... you could get it for under a $100.00

I have a fajen stock on one of my old smellys, but only because the stock appeared at a gunshow for a great price like $15.00 but if I did not have the fajen I would use a boyds....

Al,

Boyds makes a BOLD trigger for mausers it is super reasonable like $35.00.
I bought one for a mauser I am rebuilding now....

It looks and acts just like a Timney trigger (fully adjustable from like 1 lbs pull to about 4 lbs), I bought one thinking if it is crap I will sell it and get a timney but the Bold triggers have been supurb...

Brownells makes the Bueller style 70 degree low profile safety for about $30.00, if you are going to run a scope on the rifle, super easy to install if you have a dremel....

I just got the parts in to finish the stock on the rifle.... pillar bed and action bed and put a finish on the stock will be good to go...

If you need links or parts numbers I will get them for you...

i'd sure like to have one if thoes 303 spanish mouzers are they one or 2 piece stoks..??ITS A GOOD round very strong action ..someone told they are one of the strongest actions ever maid??

this one is a one piece stock. I have not decided if I am going to refinish the stock or replace it. Any suggestions?

Well folks as promised I am back and it is time to start the rescue.

The gun has been out of my possession for so long that I was mistaken about the make of it. It is indeed an Argentine Mauser 1909 and not a spanish mauser as I stated.



the barrel has lost almost all bluing and is bare



It is in the original stock that has been modified. At some time during its life the original butt plate has come up missing.


Now this weapon will not be going to be anything more than a hunting rifle and I will be getting getting rid of it after the build. But we do have options that we will discuss.

So we will start the build and post it here on ATG. Oh and by the way I need some help from you guys as to which stock to use or fix the old one.

Some of the things that we will be checking, fixing or updating.

Headspace
Bore diameter
Trgger
Blueing or Dura Coating
Stock finish - oil rub, matte finish or high gloss


So lets get started. And feel free to chime in with suggestions or questions.

I for one can not wait.... You have me biting at the bit...

Well...if it was mine and I found the headspace to be off...I'd rebarrel it to a different caliber and profile instead of going through the trouble of trying to headspace the old one.

I'd replace the trigger with an ajustable type that has a built in safety and swap out the bolt safety for a low profile, scope friendly shroud.

Park the whole thing....Park makes the best primer anyway if you decide to duracoat it.

I'd prep the boyds stock to be as smooth as possible and finish it with muliple applications of tung oil.

well there is a modification that I am planning for the factory trigger that will make it sweet, I have to test it first to make sure it is viable but the theory is sound. I think you will find it unique. The safety that is on it will either stay or go to a low profile

I like the greenish stock..... the pepper stocks look good but I think they are everywhere....

I would stick with a bold trigger from boyds.... for the price you cannot go wrong....

So far the rifle has failed in the head space and in the extractor retention.

The normal head space for the 303 British is .064 to .067 and a field go of .074. I stopped the measuring when I was .020 over field and showing no sign of stopping which means the barrel will have to be changed

The extractor also failed since the bolt face was altered and over cut, it will not hold the shell in place. The rimmed measures .522 and the bolt face was cut .590

The good news is that firing pin protrusion is right on the numbers. To back I can't use the bolt, but I do have a spare bolt on hand.

Any Caliber suggestions that use a .473 bolt face?

You could go way out on the limb and re-barrel it in something like a 450 Bushmaster or 458 socom

Or make a 6.5mm tackdriver

pretty sure that Mauser has a long action.. so that pretty much goes any 06 based round. I Love a 25-06 but I know there are lots of sexy 06 based rounds ... How bout a 35 whelen

the 35 whelen seems to be the top pick all across the so it will be added to the major possibility list right along with 308, 260, 30/06 and 270. There is a suggestion of 45ACP since it has a .473 bolt face as well.

wow a 45 acp mauser would be awsome!!!

id go with the 35 whelen im kinda partial to the 358 dia cartrages!

If you are looking to sell it I would stick with a common caliber, and my vote goes for .308, .243, or .30-06. I think a parkerized or black duracoat would look nice with an oil rubed or satin finished stock. That way it keeps that cool military utilitarian look to it.

I really like them old Mausers . I took my Brazilian Mauser in 30-06
to the range today and found with the Leupold pistol scope it was quite
accurate.I will be watching this with intrest . Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.

I always wanted a 35 Whelen, just never happened.

if i get that rossi wizard like i want i will have the 35 whelen barrel i really want it! that and a 454 cassule

Any updates on this project?

I have a Mexican Mauser action that some day will become a .25-06 AI.

I would love to see some more pics of how this project is going.