I am quite confused about a rifle I have acquired. It is a Carl Gustaf Mauser stainless action (6.5x55mm) with a stainless steel barrel that says Kimber of America Sporterized. I really like the rifle because it is very short and lightweight. It also has a composite stock. I have seen many sporterized Mausers but never by Kimber, or "Kimber of America". Does anyone know the roots of this rifle?

several years ago kimber began selling sporterized swedish mausers. i believe they offered them in other calibers too, but 6.5x55 was a lot less money (i assume because they did not have to rebarrel). i would be willing to bet your gun is industrial chrome plated rather than stainless, as i think the swedish mauser was out of production before stainless steel was being used for actions. you have a very good gun in a fine caliber. the swedish mauser is one of only two or three actions that was designed for one particular cartridge (6.5x55) so action length and feed rails, ect are for your caliber and not a one-size-fits-all thing. i sometimes wish i'd picked one of those kimbers up...(i have two military swedes)

monty

Im not sure, I'd be willing to bet that the barres is actually stainless steel. I looks like a dull stainless (much like Taurus revolvers). I still can't find any online info about these Kimber of America Sporterized rifles. Thanks you all of your help though.

Im not sure, I'd be willing to bet that the barres is actually stainless steel. I looks like a dull stainless (much like Taurus revolvers). I still can't find any online info about these Kimber of America Sporterized rifles. Thanks you all of your help though.

The barrel is 20" in length, a real lightweight shorty

These rifles were built by Kimber back when they were trying to make their comeback after bankruptcy. They were a fast way for them to generate money, and the project ended when they ran out of surplus Swedish Mausers. They were nice rifles, for what they were, sporterized military rifles. As I recall, some were re-barrelled, but most 6.5s were recontoured military barrels. ==Bob

Bronc,

My buddy uses the same rifle for whitetails in PA. Loads a 160gr. Hornady roundnose at about 2550fps. I actually watched him hit a doe in the chest and have the bullet travel length-wise till it stopped just under the off-side hide next to the anus. That pill would take care of just about anything you would want it to. Great all-weather rifle too.
Good luck with it and enjoy it.

Whizzum300

I think I'm envious. If it's got a fast twist like the original Swedes had then I KNOW I'm envious. Wear it well, You've got a jewel. Pepe Ray

I have two of them, both in a dark finish. They were in fact made by Kimber to try and get thru the bankruptcy thing. The first one wouldn't feed, so was sent back (after a lot of trouble finding out where to send it) and the magazine spring replaced. The second was drilled so far off center, that the hole had to be welded shut and re-drilled, almost 1/8" off center. My buddy had the same off-center prob with his. He put a speed-lock kit in his, and loves it. I love both of mine, also, however i'm really disappointed in Kimber that the workmanship was lacking. When i was finally able to get in touch with a repair center (in Yonkers New York, man named Richard B.), they told me that it really wasn't Kimber, just sort of a "in between contractor" that was building them. At any rate, both of mine have the military barrel, and satin nickel was offered as an option. And i agree that the 6.5x55 round is a winner.

BB86 -

We've had two, blew one up, now down to one. Both proved to be very picky about loads - the wrong loads went at 4" for 10 at 50y, but the right loads were 1" at 50 (160 horn rn on i/h/aa4350 was the magic). For lead both liked 266469's, neither liked 160gr lead. Neither shot lighter stuff worth snot. Given the price, $175, worthwhile guns. [for 6.5swede our sweety is still an old very well used m70.]

do shoot straight,
greg
www.gmdr.com