I have always liked to have something a little different than everybody else, and now I want to put together a custom rifle. It will have a custom stock in English walnut with a shadow line cheek piece,and ebony foreend tip and grip cap, and an E.R.Shaw #3sporter barrel in358 Shooting Times Alaskan.These items were easy enough to find, and the prices are quite reasonable. The problem that I have been having is finding a finished action at a reasonable price. I have owned and used model 70's,700's,98's,and 77's, and like them all, so I really have no preference when it comes to action model. It doesn't make much sense to me to buy an action,minus the stock and barrel, for $100 less than the finished rifle sells for.
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where to get an action?
- Thread starter miguel
- Start date
Jim Watson
New member
So buy a rifle, strip it for the action, and sell the barrel, stock, etc. on ebay. A pretty regular thing these days.
cntryboy1289
New member
I agree with Mr. Keenan
I like to use the VZ24 actions for custom rifles. There is just something about the venerable Mauser custom. FAC has some barreled VZ24's for $49.00.
I like to use the VZ24 actions for custom rifles. There is just something about the venerable Mauser custom. FAC has some barreled VZ24's for $49.00.
Jim Watson
New member
He wants to build a .358 STA - a full length belted magnum.
Is a military Mauser really suitable or readily adapted for that?
I am not a gunsmith or even a tinkerer and don't know for sure, but my reading leads me to doubt it.
Is a military Mauser really suitable or readily adapted for that?
I am not a gunsmith or even a tinkerer and don't know for sure, but my reading leads me to doubt it.
A large-ring Mauser action of good manufacture (german, austrian, belgian, etc.) would probably work fine, but the modification to make it a long magnum action would cost, the proverbial, "arm-and-a-leg".
I would suggest buying a Charles Daly '98-style magnum action and building from there.
I would suggest buying a Charles Daly '98-style magnum action and building from there.
cntryboy1289
New member
well let's see
If you consider that the folks that started building the custom mausers built them to take to Africa in chambers like the 416 Rigby, maybe you wouldn't want to start there, but for me they work very well. All that is necessary to build it to a magnum caliber is opening the feed rails and the bolt face and I would use cross bolts. Niether of these should cost an arm and a leg. He may have to have the magazine opened up a little, all though this shouldn't cost an arm and a leg either. Take a look at the recievers of the model 700 and model 70, if they aren't set up for the magnum caliber, they will need the same modifications. Let's break down the price for him and let him decide. A good VZ24 action is going for $45 at FAC. He already knows what he will spend for the barrel and the stock and accessories. To buy a model 700 0r 70 ot Model 77, he will spend at least $300-400.00. Sure he can sell the barrel and stock if he finds someone who wants them, we'll say he makes $150 off of both of them combined. He still has spend at a minumum of $100 more. Unless he was fortunate to find a reciever in the magnum class, he will still have to spend money to have them done. Anyway you look at it, he saves money going with the VZ24. if you agree with the men who have hunted deadly animals, the mauser type extractor is the only one to be caught in the woods with. Now, the Winchester and Ruger both use this type of extractor, but to get one of their recievers in good shape will cost a little more than the $400.00. Let him decide.
If you consider that the folks that started building the custom mausers built them to take to Africa in chambers like the 416 Rigby, maybe you wouldn't want to start there, but for me they work very well. All that is necessary to build it to a magnum caliber is opening the feed rails and the bolt face and I would use cross bolts. Niether of these should cost an arm and a leg. He may have to have the magazine opened up a little, all though this shouldn't cost an arm and a leg either. Take a look at the recievers of the model 700 and model 70, if they aren't set up for the magnum caliber, they will need the same modifications. Let's break down the price for him and let him decide. A good VZ24 action is going for $45 at FAC. He already knows what he will spend for the barrel and the stock and accessories. To buy a model 700 0r 70 ot Model 77, he will spend at least $300-400.00. Sure he can sell the barrel and stock if he finds someone who wants them, we'll say he makes $150 off of both of them combined. He still has spend at a minumum of $100 more. Unless he was fortunate to find a reciever in the magnum class, he will still have to spend money to have them done. Anyway you look at it, he saves money going with the VZ24. if you agree with the men who have hunted deadly animals, the mauser type extractor is the only one to be caught in the woods with. Now, the Winchester and Ruger both use this type of extractor, but to get one of their recievers in good shape will cost a little more than the $400.00. Let him decide.
Hi, guys,
Cntryboy wrote "All that is necessary to build it to a magnum caliber is opening the feed rails and the bolt face..."
That depends on the magnum caliber. I don't have specs on the .358 STA, but if the OAL is .30-06 length or longer, putting it in a standard 98 Mauser action like the VZ24 may not work. The .30-'06 is a tight squeeze, and that conversion usually involves cutting away part of the feed ramp, not a good idea when dealing with higher pressure cartridges, since there is less support for the lower (right hand) locking lug.
Jim
Cntryboy wrote "All that is necessary to build it to a magnum caliber is opening the feed rails and the bolt face..."
That depends on the magnum caliber. I don't have specs on the .358 STA, but if the OAL is .30-06 length or longer, putting it in a standard 98 Mauser action like the VZ24 may not work. The .30-'06 is a tight squeeze, and that conversion usually involves cutting away part of the feed ramp, not a good idea when dealing with higher pressure cartridges, since there is less support for the lower (right hand) locking lug.
Jim
Jim Watson
New member
To quote a usually reliable source (me):
"a .358 STA - a full length belted magnum."
It is made by necking up 8mm Remington Mag with a case length of 2.845" and an OAL of 3.65"
I know a Mauser can be cut out to handle cartridges that long, in addition to opening up the bolt face, refitting the extractor, and widening the feed rails, but unless you are set up to do the work yourself, it is a false economy. Sporterizing military Mausers is kind of a gunsmith's full employment program.
"a .358 STA - a full length belted magnum."
It is made by necking up 8mm Remington Mag with a case length of 2.845" and an OAL of 3.65"
I know a Mauser can be cut out to handle cartridges that long, in addition to opening up the bolt face, refitting the extractor, and widening the feed rails, but unless you are set up to do the work yourself, it is a false economy. Sporterizing military Mausers is kind of a gunsmith's full employment program.