pisgah
Buckeye
Or maybe I should say the Ruger is Mauser-like. I know this is not a Ruger, but it's a classic of sorts. Fifty-plus years ago when I was catching the whitetail bug and, as a consequence, the rifle bug, a well-done sporterized 98 Mauser was my young heart's dream. Over the years I have owned 3 or 4, all fine rifles (one of which I would give my last few teeth to have back), and this one bids fair to be both one of the best and possibly the last one I'll acquire. A buddy stopped by on his way to put it on consignment at a gun shop. After I had looked it over, I asked the price -- which, naturally, was too low to even bargain over. I won't disclose the price, but I'll say that for less than I'd pay for a new Savage Axis equipped with a lousy scope I got a work of art.
It's a Spanish Model 98, their designation being M43. I know that's regarded as a less-desirable 98 by some, but this one is pristine and looks like it could have left the factory last week. Given the use I intend to make of it I am unconcerned. It is chambered for the 8x57 JS round, and the bore is perfect. Barrel and receiver have been beautifully polished and blued, and a Williams sight combo is nicely installed. It was drilled and tapped for a scope, so I added Weaver bases and rings, along with a vintage steel-tube Weaver K-4W I had stuck in a drawer. It looks right and works right. The trigger is standard military, but it is the very best one I have ever encountered. The first stage is smooth and virtually weightless, while the trigger break is absolutely crisp at about 4 lbs. The stock is walnut, the barreled action expertly inletted and glass-bedded, fairly slim but with a handfilling grip, with a modest, well-executed rollover cheekpiece that together with the almost-straight stock and the almost-10 lb. weight are going to make this a pussycat to shoot even when the fullhouse loads get brewed. The thin Pachmayr White Line butt pad doesn't help much, but it does look good. Only full-growed men and hefty women will find it anything but a chore to tote in rough country, but for stand hunting or slow stillhunting in open woods it should be fine. The overall slimness and balance help a lot in that regard.
I have plenty of IMR 4064 on hand, and dies and 200 gr. Speer softpoints are enroute, but two boxes of Federal 170s and one box of Privi Partisan 196 softpoints, both fairly mild loads, came with the rifle. After zeroing dead-on at 25 yards I shot a three-round group of each at 100 yards. Even with the discrepancy in bullet weights and velocities both shot essentially to the same point of aim, and both groups were just a smidgeon under 1.3".
I know it is cruel to post this without pictures, but Photobucket and I seem to be having a spat right now. Soon as I work something out I will make amends.
It's a Spanish Model 98, their designation being M43. I know that's regarded as a less-desirable 98 by some, but this one is pristine and looks like it could have left the factory last week. Given the use I intend to make of it I am unconcerned. It is chambered for the 8x57 JS round, and the bore is perfect. Barrel and receiver have been beautifully polished and blued, and a Williams sight combo is nicely installed. It was drilled and tapped for a scope, so I added Weaver bases and rings, along with a vintage steel-tube Weaver K-4W I had stuck in a drawer. It looks right and works right. The trigger is standard military, but it is the very best one I have ever encountered. The first stage is smooth and virtually weightless, while the trigger break is absolutely crisp at about 4 lbs. The stock is walnut, the barreled action expertly inletted and glass-bedded, fairly slim but with a handfilling grip, with a modest, well-executed rollover cheekpiece that together with the almost-straight stock and the almost-10 lb. weight are going to make this a pussycat to shoot even when the fullhouse loads get brewed. The thin Pachmayr White Line butt pad doesn't help much, but it does look good. Only full-growed men and hefty women will find it anything but a chore to tote in rough country, but for stand hunting or slow stillhunting in open woods it should be fine. The overall slimness and balance help a lot in that regard.
I have plenty of IMR 4064 on hand, and dies and 200 gr. Speer softpoints are enroute, but two boxes of Federal 170s and one box of Privi Partisan 196 softpoints, both fairly mild loads, came with the rifle. After zeroing dead-on at 25 yards I shot a three-round group of each at 100 yards. Even with the discrepancy in bullet weights and velocities both shot essentially to the same point of aim, and both groups were just a smidgeon under 1.3".
I know it is cruel to post this without pictures, but Photobucket and I seem to be having a spat right now. Soon as I work something out I will make amends.
