[duster066]

Hey guys I fit my Mauser action to the plastic stock and decided to shoot it with the worn 8mm barrel. I didn't go to the range tooled up to determine precision intending only to safety fire the gun. But it seems it shot well enough that with some tuning of the sights it will work as a beater field gun. When I got home I slugged the barrel at the muzzle end only and came up with these figures.

Bore: 0.3243
Lands: 0.308
Groove dia: 0.078
Groove depth: 0.008

I found a great Mauser site where the owner posted results of years of slugging data from as many Mauser designs as he could get his hands on. The figures I got are on the high side of what the blogger found to be normal for Yugo Mausers. So with a bullet dia of 0.323 the gun will obviously be no tack driver, but should be a useful beater field gun. Any comments on experience you have had with a rifle in this condition? For those who remember I am now in a hunt for another action for my 25-06 barrel.

 

[axxe55]

Duster, sounds pretty neat. some people are very fond of the 8mmx57 and it makes a dandy hunting caliber too.

looking for another action? another Mauser or just something to rebarrel into the 25-06?

start scouring the pawn shops and gun stores or maybe check out GunBroker.com and see what shows up there.

 

[Hyphenated]

Hey duster I am real fond of those Yugo Mausers. I have two of them a 48 and a 48A. I picked mine up several years ago when you could get them in like new condition with matching numbers. I would consider shooting cast bullets sized to .325. I think some of the older Lyman designs (321297) drop big enough you could make it work. If not, somebody has to make a 170-180gr mould that works. Then all you need is to load 'em with 20 grains of 2400 and you're in business.

For building custom bolt guns I like the VZ24 actions. However it is getting harder to find them in really nice condition. I build a 25-06 on a VZ and it turned out pretty good. I'll have to take pics and post them. I also did a 270 on a Mark X action. Back in the 80's you could buy new Mark X actions right out of the Shotgun News, but I don't know if anyone is still doing that.

Edit Added:
Okay I got the pics taken so you can see my 25-06. I had really planned on building a 6.5x06, but while I was looking for barrels I came across a guy with some pulled barrels off European rifles. The price was too good to pass up so I went with the 25-06. The close up of the action isn't good, but I think you can see it's a Czech action.

 

[duster066]

What I really want is a complete original gun, a K98 would be perfect. I want it because I want a WWII rifle and I can't afford a Garand or M1 carbine right now. None of the other WWII guns appeal to me. So I'll likely find a K98 then rebarrel this action as I had planned. Thanks Hyphenated that's a great plan as I had decided to buy some dies anyway. Might as well go all the way and cast for it too.

 

[tahoe2]

mausers

Hey Duster, I have two Yugo's' love em! A M24/47 Sporter and a M48A military dress. And a 1941 German M98k GI bringback (duffle cut).
408 Also looking for a VZ to build a .280 Rem

 

[duster066]

I haven't done anything with mine since I shot those first test rounds. It's been nagging me for a week or so. I need to get it back out and see how well I can get it sighted. I have a few 45acp loads ready to test and a few boxes of 8mm would make the trip worth doing.

 

[tahoe2]

yugo's

Duster; I guess I should have elaborated more for you, I have been hand loading the 8x57 mauser for about 7 years now, I have three, as stated above.
I put a Mojo ghost ring sight on the German 98k and it almost cuts my groups in half. These are my fun guns, the M48A Yugo and the German M98k.
Groups with the M48 with military sights and a sling 5" to 7" @ 100 yards and the 98k around 3" to 5" @ 100 yards ( mostly 5" occasionally 3" ).
For plinking I load Sierra 175 grns @ 2700 fps or 200 grn Speer Hot Core @ 2500 fps.
For hunting, Nosler 180grn ballistic tip @ 2600 fps or the 200 grn Speer depending on the animal (elk or bear).
All my loads are listed in the standard loading manuals and I do not load hot.
My M24/47 is my elk/bear gun and it will print 1-1/4" from the bench on my good days, which is about 2" to 3" in the field, and I can hold 4" to 5" at 200.
For deer & antelope, I have a Spanish mauser in 7x57 and it does 2" @ 100 with 140 grn bullets of any brand.
I have never put surplus ammo through any of them. Mausers are truly addicting, I also have a Spanish long rifle(29" barrel) for fun shooting and it will shoot 4" to 6" @ 100.
changed the scope on the M24/47
440441442443

 

[duster066]

Beauties Tahoe. I was gonna go out this week, but the wife shoved a bonus check into my hands and said "Replace the floor down stairs!"

 

[tahoe2]

been there , done that !! good luck, all the best !

 

[duster066]

Well I got this old gun out again today to see how well it could shoot. Now I'm glad I left that barrel on it because it's not to bad. With the original sights I was making 3 to 4 inch groups at 100 yards leaning across the hood of the truck. It's a keeper and not bad at all for 50 bucks.