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Mauser 95 questions

3K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  NicoPuelma 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I´m new in this forum and I just got a Mauser 95 in 7x57 that looks that was made last year. I pretten to make a custom hunting rifle from this old military rifle, my question is that do you lose some accuracy if you cut the barrel 4 inches? and anybody knows which is the twist of this guns?

Thanks!!
 
#2 ·
IMHO, this rifle is worth much more in it's original military configuration. To "sporterize" it would destroy any collectors value it would have. All old military Mausers are becoming harder and harder to find. One in the condition you describe are getting to be as scarce as honest politicians. Again IMHO, with the price of new hunting rifles being at an almost historic low, plus the cost of sporterizing a military Mauser a rare one at that, I'd put my money toward a new rifle in a newer, easier to find ammo for cartridge.
The '95 Mauser action is not the strongest in the gun family. The '95 is a variation of the '91 action, and lacks the safety lug that the '98 actions all have. The '98 action will handle pressures that could wreck a lesser gun. The twist of that barrel, it should be in the 1:9, 1:8 maybe 1:8.5" rate. It could also be a gain twist barrel, taking 4" off the total length could render it to be little more that a piece of scrap.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your answer. Yeah I know, but the reason why I want to sporterize it is because, the rifle has different parts, it means that the serial number dosen´t match in almost all pieces and the other reason is that guns here where I live (Chile) are each year more expensive and I can make a rifle to my personal teaste and saving some money and I also like the 7x57 cartridge. Here in Chile we have a lot of Mauser 95 and is very commun to customise them, here the hand work of a gunsmith and in general terms is not as expensive as in other countries. I can pay the half of a new gun, let say Ruger Hawkeye, to customise this 95.
 
#4 ·
IMHO, this rifle is worth much more in it's original military configuration. To "sporterize" it would destroy any collectors value it would have. All old military Mausers are becoming harder and harder to find. One in the condition you describe are getting to be as scarce as honest politicians. Again IMHO, with the price of new hunting rifles being at an almost historic low, plus the cost of sporterizing a military Mauser a rare one at that, I'd put my money toward a new rifle in a newer, easier to find ammo for cartridge.
The '95 Mauser action is not the strongest in the gun family. The '95 is a variation of the '91 action, and lacks the safety lug that the '98 actions all have. The '98 action will handle pressures that could wreck a lesser gun. The twist of that barrel, it should be in the 1:9, 1:8 maybe 1:8.5" rate. It could also be a gain twist barrel, taking 4" off the total length could render it to be little more that a piece of scrap.
So you say that the mauser 95 will not shoot safe handloading ammo?
 
#5 ·
A model 95 should be safe with loads intended for it. You should not try to achieve higher velocity or loads heavier then originally loaded. It is not as strong or as safe as a 98 but it is still a good gun with the proper loads. 7 X 57 is an excellent choice for a 95. Cutting the barrel may or may not have any effect. There is only one way to tell.
 
#7 ·
Ok, thanks for your answer. I think that my uncle told me that is safe to shot some handloads on it, I will double check that with him. Now there is a guy in the hunting group that has a 95 in 270 win and he is quite satisface with it. I guess that a 270 win has more pressure than a hot 7x57mm, I´m not sure.
 
#6 ·
Most of the time you take a couple of hundred dollars worth of military surplus rifle, chop it up, grind and drill on it, add $100 worth of sights - and you end up with a $75 rifle. Unless you are a *trained* gunsmith - chopping down the barrel is a bad idea. It is easy to screw up the crown on the muzzle - and it won't shoot right again.

Even if some of the numbers don't match - you are better off leaving it as-is. It is your property to do with as you wish - I advise against it.

7mm Mauser (7X57) is an outstanding caliber. Reloads should be kept below 45,000 PSI. Even when the loads are moderate - this caliber has a world wide reputation as being a true performer. The Model 95 Mauser is no 'slouch' - but keep in mind that the bolt only has two locking lugs (unlike the more modern 98 that has 2 locking lugs AND a 3rd 'safety' lug). Most 98s are also made of better steel, and are properly heat treated, while some of the earlier 93s and 95s are not.
 
#8 ·
Ok, thanks for your answer. Well the idea is to make my first hunting rifle from this one, because is a cheap way to have one to my personal teaste and is much better made than a ruger and the cost will be the half. Ofcourse that I will do all the rifle work with a gunsmith, but if the rifle can´t handle hot rounds I will think about it.. I really like the 7mm mauser, but if the action can´t handle a hot round.. maybe I will keeo it like that or put a 308 barrel (I have an uncle that have one like this).
 
#9 ·
308 on a 95 is not a good idea. There are Spanish Mausers that were converted to 308 and they do not have a good reputation. The 95 is best left with the original calibers it was intended for. If you want a hot rod gun find a nice Model 98 to start with. You have a gun designed 120 years ago and it was not designed for modern cartridges or pressures. Yes these guns for the most part were built to a high standard but it was using 120 year old technology. You are asking the gun to do more then it is intended for. It should be quite safe if the gun is sound with standard 7 X 57 loads all day long. The 7 X 57 is considered a fine round for hunting deer.
 
#11 ·
It have to evaluate a firearm without pictures. We have no idea of the quality of work etc.
It's unlikely there was a revolution in metallurgy between 1895 and 1898. The Chilean rifles were made with the highest order of workmanship of that day. Comparing those rifles to those made in Spain is just not where it's at. Wonder if these rifles for Chile were made at the same time as the 98'?
 
#13 ·
It have to evaluate a firearm without pictures. We have no idea of the quality of work etc.
It's unlikely there was a revolution in metallurgy between 1895 and 1898. The Chilean rifles were made with the highest order of workmanship of that day. Comparing those rifles to those made in Spain is just not where it's at. Wonder if these rifles for Chile were made at the same time as the 98'?
I just read in another forum that the mauser´s 95 were made in three years; 1895, 1898 and 1902 something like that. I don´t have any picture of the gun, is in the farm, but like I said in the begining looks like new, is was made in special orden to a coronel using the best parts of others 95. Here in Chile I have seen a lot of this guns chamber in 308 winchester and looks like they work quite fine
 
#12 ·
I would not want to turn an early 98 into a high pressure rifle either. I think the Chilean Mausers were made in Germany. High pressure cartridges had not yet been introduced. Even a military loaded 30-06 is less pressure then modern sporting ammunition. Generally putting a 308 or any high pressure round on a Mauser earlier then a 98 is not considered safe.
 
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