Worth the effort to "sporterize" WW2 era rifle?
09-12-2010, 09:47 PM
#11
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: State of Missery
Posts: 135
put simply, NO. Its a springfield. Take care of it cause there are some going for 1k and they are not any thing special just in good condition. that is all.
I have a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. Its been sporterized by some hill billy with a cut down 18" barrel and they cut down the stock. Bolt and reciever were modified to accept a scope.
I take it out and wonder what I can do with it every once in a while. But after looking over the options I really don't want to spend on it.
For 300-500 dollars you could buy a decent rifle in any cal. you could want. some of them come with a scope, those being redhead (aka Bass Pro's *always save* brand) but they will work fine for shooting deer and dumb hogs.
I have a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. Its been sporterized by some hill billy with a cut down 18" barrel and they cut down the stock. Bolt and reciever were modified to accept a scope.
I take it out and wonder what I can do with it every once in a while. But after looking over the options I really don't want to spend on it.
For 300-500 dollars you could buy a decent rifle in any cal. you could want. some of them come with a scope, those being redhead (aka Bass Pro's *always save* brand) but they will work fine for shooting deer and dumb hogs.
09-13-2010, 08:41 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
09-14-2010, 07:41 AM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cornwall, Pa.
Posts: 1,720
Before you sporterize your WW II firearms, you may want to have them looked at by a reputable dealer. You may own a rare piece that is worth more to a collector in it's original condition. If it is in good condition and a collector, you may get a bundle selling it and you can purchase a new, modern rifle of your choice.
09-14-2010, 01:10 PM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
This is a 5-shot group at 100 yards from a rest. I'm guessing the four are in about a .650 circle and the fifth is a called error by the operator.....I knew I moved it when I fired.....
Velocity at 2,700 FPS give/take and 59 grains RL-15 over CCI LR primer.
I also fitted it with an unique cocobolo forendtip just for grins and giggles.....different isn't always good...no one likes it!
Last edited by Vapodog; 09-14-2010 at 04:05 PM.
09-14-2010, 08:06 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
Vapodog,
I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, and your Whelen is a real sweet rig. You must just ooze pride when you clean it, shoot it, and generally admire your piece. Really nice job. My grandad made a living sporterizing military rifles, mostly Mausers 98's and Swede Mauser 96's and 38's. He'd be quite tickled with your Mauser. It's a beauty.
I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, and your Whelen is a real sweet rig. You must just ooze pride when you clean it, shoot it, and generally admire your piece. Really nice job. My grandad made a living sporterizing military rifles, mostly Mausers 98's and Swede Mauser 96's and 38's. He'd be quite tickled with your Mauser. It's a beauty.
09-17-2010, 01:32 AM
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
Then you'll like this one as well:
It has a real treat being added as well.....scope mounts directly from Schultz and Larsen presented to me by Jorgen, the owner of S&L, when he was here from Denmark visiting my shop. To my knowlege these are the only S&L scope mounts in the United States....but they are not shown in this photo.
Bottom metal is from 1909 Argentine and the action is a VZ-24.
It has a real treat being added as well.....scope mounts directly from Schultz and Larsen presented to me by Jorgen, the owner of S&L, when he was here from Denmark visiting my shop. To my knowlege these are the only S&L scope mounts in the United States....but they are not shown in this photo.
Bottom metal is from 1909 Argentine and the action is a VZ-24.
09-17-2010, 09:24 AM
#19
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 37
As has been already said, if you have unaltered military arms, keep them intact, as they will be worth more that way. There is nothing wrong with acquiring a surplus action that has already been partially butchered or salvaged and converting it into a useful sporting arm, but be advised, it will take much work, some machining talent, and will cost you, although the cost can be spread out over time. The last one I did involved a mauser barrelled action (mostly complete) that had no stock. After altering the bolt knob, safety, trigger, re-barrelling and stocking it, I have a nice 22-250 that will drive tacks. I also have about $550.00 into it and about 80 hours of labor. As this is a hobby, I find it fun and relaxing, and as I have the machine tools to do the work, I don't have to farm it out. But if you examine it in the cold light of reality, I could certainly have bought a commercial gun for about the same, or less if used, and in a lot less time.
Last edited by sm; 09-17-2010 at 09:32 AM.
09-17-2010, 04:21 PM
#20
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
Vapodog,
You really know how to hurt a guy
.
You are correct sir, I do really, really like that Mauser in 9.3. A classic Mauser sporter in a classic round. Is that a 3 position Winchester wing safety? I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, as I said, and am also a sucker for 3 position safeties. I just got used to the military safeties when i was a kid shooting my rifles in military configuration, and became quite comfortable knowing I could lock the bolt and trigger, then unlock the bolt to cycle rounds safely, and then of course go red.
Someday I will acquire or build something so beautiful, but for now I'll keep saving and planning.
That is a rifleman's rifle sir. (slobber, slobber)
You really know how to hurt a guy
.You are correct sir, I do really, really like that Mauser in 9.3. A classic Mauser sporter in a classic round. Is that a 3 position Winchester wing safety? I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, as I said, and am also a sucker for 3 position safeties. I just got used to the military safeties when i was a kid shooting my rifles in military configuration, and became quite comfortable knowing I could lock the bolt and trigger, then unlock the bolt to cycle rounds safely, and then of course go red.
Someday I will acquire or build something so beautiful, but for now I'll keep saving and planning.
That is a rifleman's rifle sir. (slobber, slobber)