Shot out Mauser barrel

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pyscodog

Active member
I recently bought a Firearms International 98 Mauser. More as a project during this Covid crap that's going on. It is chambered in 6AI with a 26" varmint contour barrel. Price was very reasonable I thought as it was suppose to have a Shilen barrel and a Timney trigger. The stock turned out really nice and it does have a Timney but no way to verify the barrel. Several range trips and accuracy is poor, never anything under an inch but last trip out it did shoot 5 in about one inch. I've been concerned about the throat as I can't touch the lands with anything. The bullet falls out of the case before reaching the lands. Its like its throated for heavies but twisted for light bullets.


Today I took it to a shop and had the barrel bore scoped and it turns out the barrel is toast. Throat is gone and fire cracked a ways into the rifleing. So....do I pony up for a new barrel or do I just sell it as parts? I'm told the action is worth as much as I paid for the rifle and dies and it has a really nice stock. My main problem is if I rebarrel and decide to sell, Mausers just don't bring much money around here and I'm sure I'll take a hard hit if I decide to sell it.

What would you do if it was yours?
 
Originally Posted By: K22That is easy for me.

Rebarrel to a 9.3X62 with a nice custom sporter stock.
A 30 06 gets second place.
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Same thought here. Re-barrel to a uniquely Mauser-like cartridge and wear it out... By doing that you won't have to worry about a poor resale value on the Mauser action rifle.
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I was thinking if I rebarrel going with a non-wildcat cartridge. Never thought about a 9.3. Time for a little Google searching. Thanks guys!


Whew, that 9.3 is a lot of bullet. Especially for here in Okla. Not to rule it out, just don't know what I would ever use it for.
 
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Send it out to JES reboring for a upgrade to anything that will clean up the chamber, about $250 and you don't have to bother with fitting the stock or having it blued.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogI was thinking if I rebarrel going with a non-wildcat cartridge. Never thought about a 9.3. Time for a little Google searching. Thanks guys!


Whew, that 9.3 is a lot of bullet. Especially for here in Okla. Not to rule it out, just don't know what I would ever use it for.

They're a dandy Deer caliber. Not a lot of punch on the shoulder, more of a loving push.
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Oh, and in a pinch you can use 30 06 brass opened up.
 
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Originally Posted By: K22Originally Posted By: pyscodogI was thinking if I rebarrel going with a non-wildcat cartridge. Never thought about a 9.3. Time for a little Google searching. Thanks guys!


Whew, that 9.3 is a lot of bullet. Especially for here in Okla. Not to rule it out, just don't know what I would ever use it for.

They're a dandy Deer caliber. Not a lot of punch on the shoulder, more of a loving push.
grin.gif


Oh, and in a pinch you can use 30 06 brass opened up.

More agreement with K22 on the 9.3x62. Its a great cartridge.
 
I did notice you can get off the shelf ammo for it. My friend/smith has a 9.3? that he shot a nice buck with last year. It thumps but not really that bad. Its in a Ruger No.1. It might be a 9.3x54. Can't remember for sure.
 
It's on lower side as an excepted round in Africa for big game, but still excepted.
It is easy to reload for and if penetration is your thing, Cutting Edge bullets are unbelievable in that respect. I can't remember the exact amount but 75" in an Elephant seems like what one of our Clients told us.
Anyway, a 98 Mauser and 9.3X62 with a 286 gr. bullet just go together so well. Accurate loads are rather easy to get............as a bonus. LOL

I love mine. One of my Grandson's who's starting to shoot with always want to hold "the Elephant" gun. LOL
 
I need to add..........as Winny Fan said, if you rebarrel it to a 9.3X62 you will not lose anything on the cost.
You will have folks knocking on your door trying to buy it and that is not much of an exaggeration.
 
I talked to my smith. His is 9.3x72. He shot a buck with it last year and it took the whole front shoulder off. LOL, needless to say, he didn't have to track it.
 
I would have to shoot it, before I let the bore scope have the final word.

9.3x72 doing damage like that, I would say wrong bullet for the chore. Buddy has one he has run jacketed and cast through for years. Never heard him complain about unnecessary damage.
 
Originally Posted By: jshI would have to shoot it, before I let the bore scope have the final word.



I've put close to 100 +/- rounds threw it and accuracy has been bad. My last trip was with an 80 grain Nosler BT. It was just in the case far enough to keep from falling out and still .075 from touching the lands. It shot the best of everything I had tried and still barely made a one inch group. Sure I could keep shooting it but don't think its going to get much better if any. With the 12 twist, I don't think a longer heavier bullet will make a difference. Knowing the condition of the barrel now I think it would be a waste of good powder, primers and bullets.
 
We've gone here before.

Your smith has a 9.3x74, which is on the order of a 375H&H in power.

The 9.3x72 is more on the order of a 35 Remington.

The 9.3x62 is very close to a 35 Whelen in power but you can run a heavier bullet
 
Originally Posted By: AWSWe've gone here before.

Your smith has a 9.3x74, which is on the order of a 375H&H in power.

The 9.3x72 is more on the order of a 35 Remington.

The 9.3x62 is very close to a 35 Whelen in power but you can run a heavier bullet

Good post.......

But I do have a question. I'm asking for a friend so he doesn't have to ask. He's kinda' bashful and insecure.... Uh.....uh.....uh....Oh gosh....will it hurt when I pull the trigger?
 
I'm ordering a 25-06 barrel today. I already have dies and brass and just don't feel the need for a 9.3. My smith said he felt bad about selling me a rifle with a bad barrel and will install it for free. Nice having a gunsmith as a friend!! Just FYI before I hear about a friend screwing me, he bought the rifle to help a guy come up with money for a new shotgun and only had the Mauser for a few days. It was never fired or checked for condition or accuracy. I bought a pig in a polk and I bought it "as is". I have no hard feelings what so ever as its not the first one I bought that needed work or probably the last.
 
Good news that he is making good on it.
I like the 25 06. Great caliber.
If resale is an issue you would make money with a 9.3X62, not so much with the 25 06. But if resale is not an issue the 25 cal. will do you well.
 
He didn't know the barrel was bad and I didn't expect anything for free. He's a friend and a shooting bud and he's a dang good gunsmith. If he said to bad, its yours, it would have been OK with me. His friendship is worth a lot more than a barrel for a Mauser.

As far as calibers, I just really didn't see the need or want for a 9.3 as I have plenty of hunting rifles. If I ever decide to sell it, if all I do is break even it will be OK with me. Thank you all for the advice though.
 


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