I have a custom 1909 Argentine Mauser heavy game rifle in 9.3X62mm that I no longer need. But selling such a beast is at best a losing proposition. Simply put, I'd loose my shirt. So I've decided to take a different approach and instead build a long range 30'06 on the platform.





The rifle will have the barrel pulled, then a stainless Kreiger tube fitted with the same contour, but 26" rather than 22". The bottom metal is Blackburn +1, the safety is a Dakota and the bolt handle is a Model 70 configuration. The scope mounts will remain Warne Maxima, but the scope will be a Leupold 3.5-10X40 with a B&C reticle. This is a minimalist approach that will require that I rebed the stock only under the chamber area of the barrel, leaving the rest alone. Due to the stock being a McMillan CZ Express, the magazine holds 6 rather than 5 rounds, and since it was a heavy game rifle the stock has Magnum fill throughout, both for strength/durability and for balance.

I'll give you all an update once the I've tested the rifle at the range.

Keith

Would you be interested in selling the 9.3 barrel? I might know someone. If so, send me a PM.

Sounds like a Rocky Mountain hunting trip...

If I was in your situation and it was purely for LR work....I'd go 26", a 1 in 8" or 9" twist and build a .280 AI.

Compare the .284" and the .308" match bullets at LR and the sevens surely have the advantage.

Or go 6.5-06. So many good 6.5 mm Match bullets available.

The original 9.3 configuration is about as good as it gets IMHO for a Plains game or elk/bear rifle at moderate ranges. That IS a beauty. I did a .338-06 that is similar though on a M-70 action. Heavy for caliber, LONG slug, at a moderate velocity...A proven performer on big game.

I thought about all of that and a few more before deciding on staying with 30'06. Too much invested in '06 and no interest at my age (63) to expand into other cartridges. Already load about 10 different rifle cartridges and that takes a lot of my time. Good suggestions though.
Keith

This is an interesting project. All my 30 caliber rifles are of the '06 persuasion except for a M94 Winchester.
OP, please keep us posted on your progress and results.

I built a long range .25-06 rifle for coyote, etc. I qualified on the club's 1,000 yard range with it quite handily. Fun projects these. Here is mine:



It has a 26" bull barrel (forgot maker now...Lilja? Hart?). It will stack bullets into one ragged .5" hole at 100 yards with boring regularity. Hit a prairie dog at just shy of 400 yards. Haven't shot it much lately...nowhere out here in Northern VA to do that.

__________________
No good deed goes unpunished.

Keith, that will be an interesting and worthwhile project IMO.You have a solid base rifle/stock to work with.I am a big fan of the 30-06. I competed with an M-1 garand(70's)for a decade before I started shooting an M1A. My first assigned precision rifle was a pre 64 Win 70......It was scheduled to be "retired" by my agency, which meant a trip to the drop shear. It had a heavy bl/wood stock, I mounted a Leupold tactical 3.5 x 10 (which was the gold standard for tactical teams then (80's).....I had McMillan build a beaver tail forend stock for it, then I bedded it......I shot that rifle a lot, competed with it in SWAT competitions and responded to many a call out with it.
I shoot long range weekly now since I retired and just bought a Remington 700 LR 30-06 with a 26" bl, have missed having a LR 30-06 bolt gun. I have a 700 long action that I am going to build a dedicated long range target rifle in 06, the 700 LR will suffice until I put the custom rifle together. Will look fwd to following your new project.
Regards, Bill

Sounds interesting please keep us posted. Thanks

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

Fort Meade has a 600 yard KD range and a 300 yard assault course. Contact me if you want to shoot there.
Keith