Opinions requested for a Yugo Mauser Sporter, please

[StockDoc]

I am starting a a new sporter base on a Yugo Mauser 48 mix master. Barrel was rusted.

I have built a 8x57 and a 308 built on k98k rc but would like to do something different.

I purchased a M 24 milled trigger housing to use instead of the stamp one. Trying to keep the budget for it at $600.00. The rifle intial cost was $199.00.

I was thinking a 6.5x55 swede would be nice but that is longer then the 8mm mauser. I do reload so ammo will not be the problem.

any suggestions?

[joem]

How about 7X57. Easy to load for accurate and a barrel is cheap NOS.

[StockDoc]

everything I have read, people rave about the 7x57, and it is a Mauser caliber, hmmmm

[mike webb]

x2 on the 7x57. If you handload the old 7mm can be spruced up to .270 Winchester performance with no danger at all. I used to have one years ago and killed three whitetails and a black bear with four rounds. All but the bear were DRT and bears will almost always go a little ways before piling up in my experience.

[StockDoc]

for some reason, I thought the 7mm's oal was greater the the 8mm's, checked it again and found out I was wrong,. A lot of bullet choices on the 7mm, which is good.

[joem]

I load a heavier bullet, but there is no cheap surplus ammo that I know of.

[StockDoc]

Doing it in 308, the wife got me a barrel in that caliber, reasoning that since I have the dies and reamer, it falls better into the budget. Not to mention the scope bases, a timney trigger and safety. Guess I was a good boy this year!!

[randy langford]

That should work very well in that action.

[StockDoc]

yeah, the 308 ammo will be easy to find and it's cheap

Looking at the Boyd's Platinum stocks for it, like the Maple or the Claro

[StockDoc]

Well it was coming along smoothly, until the "Reputable 'smith that I sent the Bolt to have the handle replaced for a low mount, lost it, I am dead in the water now until they find/replace it.

[joem]

Wow, that's a big bummer. When you get the rifle I wouldn't use that smith again.

[mike webb]

Well it was coming along smoothly, until the "Reputable 'smith that I sent the Bolt to have the handle replaced for a low mount, lost it, I am dead in the water now until they find/replace it.

That sucks and the Yugo 48 is an intermediate length action so a standard Mauser bolt will not work.

[StockDoc]

yeah, they said they found the bolt, so we will see if it fits, when or if I get it. The rest is coming along nicely.

[bruce]

Given that the barrel was toast, rebarreling it to 7mm Mauser is a very good idea. This will simplify any potential feeding issues that would otherwise arise if you tried to use a case w/a body taper significantly different from the original 8x57mm. Given the excellent 7mm bullets available and the plethora of suitable powders your rifle will give outstanding results on game in the woods and fields. And, if you don't handload, there are many many excellent factory loads available. With a bit of attention to the trigger and properly stocked, your rifle should be a real pleasure to use. Good luck. Sincerely. bruce.