Swedish M96 Mauser ready for deer season

[David LaPell]

A few months back I picked up an old German made Swedish M96 Mauser rifle, the first four years of their production, the Swedish Mausers were made in Germany, not Sweden. This gun is from 1900, one of the last of the guns from there. Someone years back had already cut the barrel back a couple of inches and put on a different front sight, but it was the wrong sight and was so tall it would have been like shooting an artillery piece. So, I had the barrel cut back to 20 inches since the collector value was gone, had a different ramp put on and a Skinner sight blade that is pretty close to what the original blade was like in height and width, only 1/8" wide.

The caliber of course is still 6.5 x 55mm, one of my favorite rounds, and now the gun is essentially a carbine and is very light and pretty handy. I took it out the other day with some factory loads, these were Remington 140 grain SP, I have my own handloads as well. I was shooting at 11 x 14" poster board, and at 50 yards from the bench, the group is only 2 inches, and then I shot it at 125 yards, the longest distance at my range. I didn't measure that group, but it was pretty good for the range. I want to use this for a cornfield gun this year if I can get out with it, but either way, it's a pretty handy gun, especially for being 117 years old.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Aside from your targets not referencing your POA, the groups look decent for those sights.

Ivan

 

[mtgianni]

I like that and agree with getting sights you can see. I have an old 95 in 7x57 that is still deserving of action.

 

[LVSteve]

S&K make a scout mount for this rifle that replaces the rear sight. A low power scope with long eye relief can really bring out the accuracy of these rifles according to those who have done this.

 

[sheepdawg]

A buddy of mine has an Oberndorf m38/96 with a scope mount and a pistol scope on it and m.o.a. is no problem.

 

[Valmet]

Very cool- 6.5 Swede is such a classic cartridge.

 

[DWalt]

I once used a custom Mauser with a heavy Douglas barrel in 6.5x55mm for bench rest competition. It did very well with the right loads. It particularly liked heavy (140 grain) round nose bullets, so that's what I used.

 

[Erich]

My sadly bubba'd 1901 Swede carbine wears apertures and lives in my car - a fine gun. A deer would be honored to be taken with your lovely rifle.



Mine will do 1.5" at 100 yds off the bench with my warm handloads.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

The vertical stringing of your groups suggests a bedding issue. Having the stock re-bedded would probably shrink your grouping.

 

[BigBill]

Since Carl Gustaf was over loaded with orders for the Swede mausers they sent the Swedish steel to Germany so oberndorf could manufacture the Swede mausers too.
My orginal 1907 Carl Gustaf 65mm 29" barreled Swedish Mauser will shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100yds with no scope. Using sellier & bellot 131 gr sp ammo. Since these are zeroed in at 200yds I bought the higher front sight and filed it down till I have a 100yd zero.

I'm working on a 1900 oberndorf cut down m96 6.5mm Mauser. Bubba cut the barrel to 22". I plan on scoping it.

 

[sheepdawg]

They are zeroed at 300 meters Bill.

 

[shell627]

Back in the 1990s I remember a friend win a few competition s with a stock Mauser in 6.5 .Great gun and caliber.

 

[BigBill]

They are zeroed at 300 meters Bill.

Yup I thought they were. I have the micrometer sights for the 38's.

 

[Frank46]

I have 6 of the darned things. 5 1896 long rifles, one of which got the chopped and channel job and a 1943 Husky M38 that thinks it's a target rifle. Gotta be careful with the Swedes, it's been rumored that if you stick a couple in the safe they have a way of multiplying. Probably one of the most accurate service rifles made. Frank

 

[Wee Hooker]

Every time we have a vintage rifle match at the club, I pass by the rest of my collection and go right for mu (1910) Swedish Mauser. I've owned several in the past including Orbendorf production. These are an absolute joy to own and shoot. I'm always amazed at how little recoil this rifle produces!

Interestingly enough, there are still a few modern production rifles to be had in the 6.5x55 Sweed. It's reportedly still a popular hunting round in Europe (where allowed.)

 

[moosedog]

Nice hunting rifle. The Swedish Mausers are some of the sweetest shooting rifles around.

 

[sheepdawg]

I have 6 of the darned things. 5 1896 long rifles, one of which got the chopped and channel job and a 1943 Husky M38 that thinks it's a target rifle. Gotta be careful with the Swedes, it's been rumored that if you stick a couple in the safe they have a way of multiplying. Probably one of the most accurate service rifles made. Frank

You might be on to something. The m/41 just showed up.

 

[LVSteve]

Nice hunting rifle. The Swedish Mausers are some of the sweetest shooting rifles around.

That's because the Swedes worked out that 30 cal and 8mm rounds were no more efficient on the battlefield than a good 6.5 round. Any 6.5 flys well and produces way less recoil than its competing 30 cal or 8mm round. What's not to like?

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

These are great rifles. Since it has had the collector value removed, a nicely fit and glass bedded sporter stock would be a great addition. A downturned and shaped bolt handle would be the next task. Daiton Traister makes a cocked on opening kit and also a new single staged adjustable trigger. You would have close to the amount of a new rifle invested unless you did the work yourself. But it could be really nice and a one of a kind custom rifle.

 

[LVSteve]

Daiton Traister makes a cocked on opening kit ......

Blech! Those things are a solution for which there is no problem. They are an insult to a rifle that operates the proper way.

(Said by man with safe full of Enfields )