[AKsoldier]

I need some help choosing my predator/blacktail gun. I've decided on .243 Win. for the caliber, and I've read good things about the controled-round feed mauser action. I've never had a rifle with a mauser action before, and I'd like to get one. I don't know all of the modern rifles that use a mauser style action though. I know the Remington 798 does, and I believe the Win model 70? The Ruger M 77? Price will be a factor - I'd like to stay under $700.

Anyone with knowledge to share, please chime in. Also, those of you who have owned and used them let me know what you think of them. Thanks in advance!

 

[pisgah]

Virtually every centerfire bolt action rifle made today is, in a general sense, a "Mauser-type" action. That is, a turning bolt with locking lugs located on the front end of the bolt. The main details that differ are the extractor and ejector. The true Mauser 98 has that large, non-rotating claw extractor riding the side of the bolt, while most other designs use a smaller extractor set in to the face of the bolt; the ejector on a Mauser is fixed to the receiver, while in most other designs the ejector is a spring-loaded plunger set in to the face of the bolt.

Controlled feeding is considered an advantage, but mainly in rifles used against dangerous game (or, as originally, against the most dangerous of all -- man). Theoretically, controlled feed lessens the chances of a double-feed or misfeed. So-called push-feed rifles like the Rem. 700 and many others, actually function perfectly well, so any real advantage of the Mauser is small. And if you're looking for a .243, dangerous game won't even come in to the picture (I hope, for your sake.)

On average, other actions maybe more accurate than the Mauser 98. The Rem. 700, for instance, has a receiver made from a plain steel tube (as do many others). This results in an action that is stiffer than the 98, and also easier to manufacture (meaning less expensive). But again, this is a theoretical advantage, and a Mauser 98 actioned rifle can be darned accurate. Still, if I were building a rifle strictly with best accuracy in mind I would probably choose an action other than the Mauser.

I'll sum up by saying that while you're shopping don't get hung up on the exact action a rifle may have. You will likely be perfectly well-served by any common design on the market.

 

[AKsoldier]

Pisgah, Thanks for the info! I guess I'm just looking for something different. I've owned and still own a few of the more modern push-feed designs. (I currently own a Remington 770 300 Win Mag.) I want to broaden my firearms experience a bit. As for dangerous game - Alaskan brown bears in my neighborhood - That's what my Marlin 1895M with 500 grain hardcasts is for.

 

[density1]

The closest thing I can think of that you are looking for would be:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/m77HawkeyePredator/models.html

If you just want a cheap mauser to play with then:

http://www.samcoglobal.com/m24.html

The 8mm mauser cartridge is a good all around cartridge. I use these Yugo mausers as swamp hunting rifles.

 

[VP-46 G.K.]

In my opinion:

1. CZ 550
2. New Winchester Model 70
3. Ruger

Remember this is MY opinion of the best commercial controlled round feed actions out there in your price range.
Now if you really want to spend some money find a nice CZ24 or FN military and have a good smith do their magic and you will have the best.

Have fun looking, and trying out different rifles. I am starting a new journey with black powder and muzzle loading.

 

[pisgah]

I certainly understand the desire for something different. I have a closet full of "something differents", myself! And, yes, I'd say a grizzly qualifies as "dangerous game" in my book, any day.

I have one suggestion -- back in the '50s and '60's many big retailers like Sears and Montgomery Ward sold rifles under their own trade names, and many of these, made by such respected European makers as FN and Heym, were made up on FN commerical Model 98 actions. In my experience, these are uniformly excellent pieces, if a bit heavy and outdated by today's popular styles. Sometimes wonderful wood, and always beautiful metal finishing. These guns frrequently show up in the used market, in many chamberings, and usually go for very attractive prices because of the "Off-brand" names stamped on them -- $250-300 is not at all uncommon. A good friend has a collection of about a dozen of these rifles, in calibers from .243 on up, accumulated over the past 15-20 years, and I doubt he has $3,000 tied up in the whole passle of them. One of them, a Heym with a hammer-forged barrel chambered in .30-06, is just stunningly accurate, and not a one of them is a dog. You might find one of these in .243 that would be perfect for you; certainly, any of them would make excellent inexpensive raw material for a custom job.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Tang]

Ruger Hawkeye

 

[VP-46 G.K.]

I certainly understand the desire for something different. I have a closet full of "something differents", myself! And, yes, I'd say a grizzly qualifies as "dangerous game" in my book, any day.

I have one suggestion -- back in the '50s and '60's many big retailers like Sears and Montgomery Ward sold rifles under their own trade names, and many of these, made by such respected European makers as FN and Heym, were made up on FN commerical Model 98 actions. In my experience, these are uniformly excellent pieces, if a bit heavy and outdated by today's popular styles. Sometimes wonderful wood, and always beautiful metal finishing. These guns frrequently show up in the used market, in many chamberings, and usually go for very attractive prices because of the "Off-brand" names stamped on them -- $250-300 is not at all uncommon. A good friend has a collection of about a dozen of these rifles, in calibers from .243 on up, accumulated over the past 15-20 years, and I doubt he has $3,000 tied up in the whole passle of them. One of them, a Heym with a hammer-forged barrel chambered in .30-06, is just stunningly accurate, and not a one of them is a dog. You might find one of these in .243 that would be perfect for you; certainly, any of them would make excellent inexpensive raw material for a custom job.

Good luck in your search!

I have owned and used many of the Sears Model 50 in my life. They were built using the FN commerical action, one of the best in my opinion. If you can find one of them you could always rebarrel it to what you want. I have done this many times, but be careful it is very easy to spend a whole lot of money

 

[Shawn Crea]

I don't know all of the modern rifles that use a mauser style action though. I know the Remington 798 does, and I believe the Win model 70? The Ruger M 77? Price will be a factor - I'd like to stay under $700.

Anyone with knowledge to share, please chime in. Also, those of you who have owned and used them let me know what you think of them. Thanks in advance!

You've named a few of the more common, though good ones, as have others.

I could be a bit out of order here in price, and don't know if all I list are going to be available in your desired 243 Win cartridge, but from least expensive to most expensive:

Rem 798
Ruger M77 MkII
CZ 550
Win Mod 70
Kimber
Empire Rifles

Not sure if the Rem 798 line is still in production? I'd heard that that relationship had ended with the Zastava factory? And, didn't Kimber get bought up (by Rem?)? Empire is a top-end rifle, with beautiful wood and mostly considered for dangerous game.

I'm almost sure my memory is failing on some of this, and I've likely forgotten some of the players in the '98 action' arena. Help me out fellas!

 

[Jakeway]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Marlin bolt action rifles, and I believe they have controlled round feed. Not quite the fine finish as a gun like a Winchester Featherweight, but very accurate and a great buy for the money.

Not a controlled feed round, but I really like the 60 degree bolt throw of the Browning. Today's scopes seem to be going with larger and larger diameter eye bells, and when I mount one with low mounts on my Ruger the bolt barely clears the scope bell.

 

[kdub]

The new Marlin XL-7 has the Sako type extractor, I believe.

 

[MikeG]

Lots of Interarms Mark X guns, and similar, floating around on the used market. Those were commercial mauser actions and fine rifles indeed.

 

[fyimo]

I bought a used mint condition CZ 550 American in 22-250 for $500 and it has controlled feed and is an excellent shooter. I have a Mark X 30-06 I bought used that has controlled feed and also is excellent. I also have an H&R 300 Ultra rifle from the 70's with a commerical FN Mauser barreled action with controlled feed.

New
CZ 550 American
Ruger Mark II or Hawkeye
Winchester Model 70 with controlled feed

 

[AKsoldier]

Thank you for all the information gentlemen! Pisgah - you have piqued my interest with the mention of those off-brand rifles. I'm something of a budding gunsmith, so finding one that is functional but in need of tweaking appeals to me. Shawn - I don't know if the Rem 798 is still in production, but it is readily available. I've seen a few of them labeled "new in box" on gunsamerica and gun broker. Looks like I've got some more research to do on all of these suggestions. And that is a good thing - it will give me something to do on my down time here in Afghanistan before I get to go home.

 

[mattsbox99]

This is my next rifle:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/m77HawkeyeCompact/models.html

I'm gonna get the 6.8 SPC.

 

[AKsoldier]

Here's an Interarms Mark X that appears to be a pretty good bargain - it will probably be gone before I get home to make the purchase though. At least it gives me an idea of what can be found.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/937949347/Guns/Rifles/Interarms-Rifles/Interarms_Mark_X_243.htm