I recently traded an inherited 30-30 Winchester 94 for a 30-06 FN military Mauser that had been partially sporterized (bolt lowered and turned down, stock cut for lowered bolt, 3x Weaver scope mounted) plus $200.
So I have a $200 budget to turn it into a pseudo-Scout, and need some advice, as I have never done any gunsmithing work with firearms.
(I realize the scope itself costs more than that - I'm not counting the scope. And I'll probably exceed the budget, but I AM using it as a guide.)
Now, I've carried government -issued firearms for the past 15 years, but this is my first sporting rifle. I would appreciate any tips on:
Triggers - Timney, Bold, other brands? The Bold comes with a sear-blocking thumb safety - how well does this work?
Safety - the rifle has a very low-mounted Weaver scope and the current safety is inoperable. Buehler safety? Or just leave the safety disenganged and use the Bold trigger and thumb safety?
Forward mounts - The receiver has a scope mounted on it, and I would like to leave these there and use my current scope as a back-up to the Scout scope - and use the Ashley aperture sight which fits on Weaver mounts as my back-up iron sight. Can I replace the front mount with a Weaver rail that will extend over the barrel? Does anyone make this to fit a M98 Mauser? Can I relatively easily modify a mount to attach to the leaf sight holder in front and the receiver ring in rear? If I use the Ashley/Clifton Scout scope mount, will the scope clear the front receiver mount?
Cut & crown barrel - What tools do I need? Just a hacksaw and a barrelcrowning tool? Or do I need a barrel vise, levels, etc? Or should I just have a gunsmith do it? I'd like to do this myself as a learning experience and as a hobby.
Front sight - Can I "sweat" the existing military Mauser front sight off and reuse it?
How do I get the leaf rear sight off?
Stock - As the stock is already cut for the lowered bolt, I'm leaning toward cutting it down to sporter size, and pillar bedding and free-floating it. Any suggestions? Recommendations?
Finish - Cold bluing, hot blueing, parkerizing, Teflon coating, or send out for someone to matte blue? I'm leaning towaed cold blieing everything.
Thanks for any tips.
[This message has been edited by Alex (edited October 22, 1999).]
So I have a $200 budget to turn it into a pseudo-Scout, and need some advice, as I have never done any gunsmithing work with firearms.
(I realize the scope itself costs more than that - I'm not counting the scope. And I'll probably exceed the budget, but I AM using it as a guide.)
Now, I've carried government -issued firearms for the past 15 years, but this is my first sporting rifle. I would appreciate any tips on:
Triggers - Timney, Bold, other brands? The Bold comes with a sear-blocking thumb safety - how well does this work?
Safety - the rifle has a very low-mounted Weaver scope and the current safety is inoperable. Buehler safety? Or just leave the safety disenganged and use the Bold trigger and thumb safety?
Forward mounts - The receiver has a scope mounted on it, and I would like to leave these there and use my current scope as a back-up to the Scout scope - and use the Ashley aperture sight which fits on Weaver mounts as my back-up iron sight. Can I replace the front mount with a Weaver rail that will extend over the barrel? Does anyone make this to fit a M98 Mauser? Can I relatively easily modify a mount to attach to the leaf sight holder in front and the receiver ring in rear? If I use the Ashley/Clifton Scout scope mount, will the scope clear the front receiver mount?
Cut & crown barrel - What tools do I need? Just a hacksaw and a barrelcrowning tool? Or do I need a barrel vise, levels, etc? Or should I just have a gunsmith do it? I'd like to do this myself as a learning experience and as a hobby.
Front sight - Can I "sweat" the existing military Mauser front sight off and reuse it?
How do I get the leaf rear sight off?
Stock - As the stock is already cut for the lowered bolt, I'm leaning toward cutting it down to sporter size, and pillar bedding and free-floating it. Any suggestions? Recommendations?
Finish - Cold bluing, hot blueing, parkerizing, Teflon coating, or send out for someone to matte blue? I'm leaning towaed cold blieing everything.
Thanks for any tips.
[This message has been edited by Alex (edited October 22, 1999).]