$150 rifle

[Ben Lamb]

Hey Ben,

I saw an 8mm with the butterknife handle and all at the Missoula gun show this weekend. That thing was actually pretty cool! Handled really nicely. And that goofy-looking sloped stock actually felt better than just about any straight-combed stock I've held. It kinda made me want to buy it...

Was it drilled and tapped or just iron sights? Those old mausers are made extremely well. Next project gun is going to be an old K. Kale Turkish Mauser I've got laying around. Want to turn it into a 8mm AI w/A Plezier style stock.

 

[belly-deep]

It was drilled and tapped with some kind of old scope on it.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I love those old Mausers. I remember when the gun shows used to have several old bring-backs that went for next to nothing. Dad picked up the Commission rifle for $240 at a show in 72. Those rifles have some serious collectors value especially if if they've not been "Americanized."

Claw mount or standard mount?

 

[gundog]

Worth every penny! I lke the standard Whelen--the AI version can have feeding issues in some guns.

 

[Ben Lamb]

First round of load development went well. I was using 250 grain Hornady Round Nose bullets in Remington brass and Federal 210 primers. Reloader 17 was the powder. I ran a somewhat modified ladder test starting at 60 grains and working up to 66 grains.

Seemed to like 64 grains best. Stacked two shots on top of each other at 100. Muzzle velocity was 2588 fps.

Best load in terms of desired velocity and accuracy was 65.5 grains: 1 inch group, MV of 2629.

66 was my max load, but I think I can go higher. No sticky bolt and no pressure signs. Got the following for MV:

 

[noharleyyet]

...time to change the decimal point in the title Ben.