FN Mauser

[Bigstrap3]

Hello all I am new here. I recentely picked up a J. C. higgins 30-06 from a friend for very cheap. I am looking to build a 6.5 -55 . Would the FN mauser action be ok to build a swede on? I am planning to use a 26 inch kreiger varmit contour with a 1-8.5 twist. I have hunted all my life but just started to reload. Also as an aside could I ream the chamber to say a 6.5 sherman in the future if I want to. Hope you guys dont mind the question thanks Geoge B

P.S. Moderators please move this if this in the wrong forum

 

[fj40mojo]

Yes, your FN Belgian '98 is more than adequate for the 6.5x55 Swede. I suggest that if you are building or having this built you chamber with PT&G's 6.5x55 Match reamer. It differs from the SAMMI spec reamer only in throating, it provides the perfect throat for seating 130-140grn bullets near the lands while still feeding from the magazine and can be rented here http://www.reamerrentals.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=362. The SAMMI spec reamer was designed for 160gr round nose bullets and by the time you get seated out to the lands you won't be able to feed from the mag. The FN '98 is recognized as the best commercial Mauser action built and will make a fine rifle. What stock are you planning on using?

 

[elkaholic]

Hello all I am new here. I recentely picked up a J. C. higgins 30-06 from a friend for very cheap. I am looking to build a 6.5 -55 . Would the FN mauser action be ok to build a swede on? I am planning to use a 26 inch kreiger varmit contour with a 1-8.5 twist. I have hunted all my life but just started to reload. Also as an aside could I ream the chamber to say a 6.5 sherman in the future if I want to. Hope you guys dont mind the question thanks Geoge B

P.S. Moderators please move this if this in the wrong forum

Most definitely. It is a great action and could be reamed to 6.5 Sherman later on. The Sherman case would increase the capacity by approx. 24 grains which would give you a HUGE boost in performance. It would max out close to 3200' with a 26" barrel and 140 grain bullets....Rich

 

[rscott5028]

[...]The FN '98 is recognized as the best commercial Mauser action built and will make a fine rifle. What stock are you planning on using?

Not sure what kind of stock you're looking for. But, I bought a Hogue Overmold with the full length aluminum bedding block for my FN '98 rifle. The inletting was perfect. It looks good and handles/shoots nicely.

 

[CLW]

I would also say it would work great for what you are wanting to do. I have an FN Mauser currently chambered in 300 WBY that I am going to turn in to something else as well. Not sure what I want to go with yet but something in the 6.5 or 7mm range is what I am thinking as well.........

 

[fj40mojo]

Not sure what kind of stock you're looking for. But, I bought a Hogue Overmold with the full length aluminum bedding block for my FN '98 rifle. The inletting was perfect. It looks good and handles/shoots nicely.

I've got a FN Mauser (JC Higgins M50) that I picked up for cheap and am planning a .280AI build on it. Haven't made up my mind about the stock yet. B&C Medalist Varmint is on the short list but I'll have to look into the Hogue, never handled one. Krieger 1:9 #3 or #4 contour, Timney Featherweight trigger, Tubbs Speedlock kit. Should be a tack driver.

 

[Bigstrap3]

Hello gang and thanks very much for the responses. I have not decided what to do for a stock, I thought about making one myself but I havent seen hardly any stocks that arnt plastic/composite in the pics i see here. Mojo made a good observation regarding the type of reamer. I want to be able to feed bullets from the magazine, will I be in trouble with the over all length if I want to go to the Berger VLD type. I read on this site someplace that there generally a certain amount of jump where the bullet will shoot well. can I use the reamer that mojo ( sorry I cant remember your exact handle) mentioned, have the bullet fit in the magazine and still be the correct length to shoot the Bergers? I also really intend to go to the Sherman cartridge fairly soon. I just donr have enough knlowledge or confidence to fire form brass and that may be required to shoot a wild cat. Thanks very much for all the responses. Any more thoughts are more than welcome thanks George B

 

[elkaholic]

Hello gang and thanks very much for the responses. I have not decided what to do for a stock, I thought about making one myself but I havent seen hardly any stocks that arnt plastic/composite in the pics i see here. Mojo made a good observation regarding the type of reamer. I want to be able to feed bullets from the magazine, will I be in trouble with the over all length if I want to go to the Berger VLD type. I read on this site someplace that there generally a certain amount of jump where the bullet will shoot well. can I use the reamer that mojo ( sorry I cant remember your exact handle) mentioned, have the bullet fit in the magazine and still be the correct length to shoot the Bergers? I also really intend to go to the Sherman cartridge fairly soon. I just donr have enough knlowledge or confidence to fire form brass and that may be required to shoot a wild cat. Thanks very much for all the responses. Any more thoughts are more than welcome thanks George B

Bigstrap....If you decide to build the Sherman and you are concerned about fireforming, I will hydro form some cases for you to get you started.....Rich

 

[Bigstrap3]

Hello and thanks for the reply Rich. I am in the middle of getting this rifle together. so far I have the action, stainless kreiger 26 inch remington varmit contour with 8,5 twist to come from brunos here in phoenix. They said to be prepared for up to a 20 week wait, which is a drag but what else to do? Anyway am I ok so far? can i get a spec sheet from you you can email me or fax either way if you dont mind. I will go back and look at your old posts and see what I need for dies etc. May I ask if you saw my earlier post about being able to feed from the magazine, and still shoot the Berger 140 VLD .I sure dont want to be a pain in the back side. Thanks very much for your time George B

 

[elkaholic]

Hello and thanks for the reply Rich. I am in the middle of getting this rifle together. so far I have the action, stainless kreiger 26 inch remington varmit contour with 8,5 twist to come from brunos here in phoenix. They said to be prepared for up to a 20 week wait, which is a drag but what else to do? Anyway am I ok so far? can i get a spec sheet from you you can email me or fax either way if you dont mind. I will go back and look at your old posts and see what I need for dies etc. May I ask if you saw my earlier post about being able to feed from the magazine, and still shoot the Berger 140 VLD .I sure dont want to be a pain in the back side. Thanks very much for your time George B

George.....send me a fax # and I'll fax you a spec sheet. You will have to ask your smith whether or not the magazine is long enough for the Sherman and bullet of choice. Feel free to call me anytime with questions. Good luck.........Rich

 

[fj40mojo]

Hello gang and thanks very much for the responses. I have not decided what to do for a stock, I thought about making one myself but I havent seen hardly any stocks that arnt plastic/composite in the pics i see here. Mojo made a good observation regarding the type of reamer. I want to be able to feed bullets from the magazine, will I be in trouble with the over all length if I want to go to the Berger VLD type. I read on this site someplace that there generally a certain amount of jump where the bullet will shoot well. can I use the reamer that mojo ( sorry I cant remember your exact handle) mentioned, have the bullet fit in the magazine and still be the correct length to shoot the Bergers? I also really intend to go to the Sherman cartridge fairly soon. I just donr have enough knlowledge or confidence to fire form brass and that may be required to shoot a wild cat. Thanks very much for all the responses. Any more thoughts are more than welcome thanks George B

Yes, I had similar concerns and called Dave Kiff at PT&G and this is the reamer he suggested. I followed his suggestion and have had no regrets with my 6.5x55 Swede which was also built on a commercial '98 Santa Barbara action. I've shot Berger, Hornady, and Lapua Secant Ogive 140gr bullets and all seat .005" off the lands and still fit and feed from the magazine. As for stocks, Richard's Microfit and Boyd's have been the only wood that I've seen that fit my limited budget. Accurate Innovations builds some beautiful stocks but out of my price range. Out of all the plastic/composite options the B&C Medalist seems to be the most bang for your buck, quality construction and full length bedding block with recoil pad and sling swivels included for around $200. I've got a B&C Carbelite on a Rem Mod 7 and it has been a good stock. Good luck with your build and post some pics when you are done. Not enough "classic" actions here.

 

[Bigstrap3]

Thanks for the reply guys, Mojo I will use a wood stock, If I get to much trouble making the stocj I will look into a composite stock. Elkaholic pm is on the way with fax number. P.S. please send me the specs on the 300 sherman also.thanks much George B.

 

[fj40mojo]

Elkaholic,

Have you ever applied your Sherman design to the .284 bore and if so how much improvement did you see over the .280AI. I would think that if you could gain another 5% case capacity the end result would be neck and neck with the 7mm Mag without the belted magnum headaches.

 

[elkaholic]

Elkaholic,

Have you ever applied your Sherman design to the .284 bore and if so how much improvement did you see over the .280AI. I would think that if you could gain another 5% case capacity the end result would be neck and neck with the 7mm Mag without the belted magnum headaches.

There is one in the process of being built right now but don't have any REAL data as yet. I know it will out perform the A.I. but by how much, I don't know. In the 6.5-06 A.I. vs the 6.5 Sherman , I do have data as I have owned both. The Sherman will get "at least" 100' more...........Rich