So, Paul and I swapped actions as I was looking for a M95/96 to build Evan's new deer rifle....a 6.5-55 sporter. When I got home from AK I just parked it in the basement. Well after Evan's 3 deer 4 shot performance I broke out the Ludwig and Lowe and started a plan. But first, I just had to find out what the double L/C cartouche was all about as I had never seen one(and I thought I had seen them all). So I went to the Mauser forum and asked the ?....What is this thing. Then I found out that it was a rare commercial variant and only 10,000 were produced, and that was 123 years ago! So this nice fellow PM'd me and said that he would like to trade actions and he had a nice M93/95 that he would drill and tap for me if I would trade. Well that was an easy decision! The another fellow PM'd me and said he had a brand new 6.5 MM Short Mauser small thread barrel in the white for $130 delivered.....another easy decision. So, in summary, the bolt is being bent, I have a complete barreled action D&T for 2 piece mounts and a Timney trigger somewhere in hiding. I'll get my buddy Skaggs to set the headspace and slap the works in a Boyds thumbhole stock and Evan will be the proud owner of a custom 6.5-55 SM for deer hunting this fall. Another happy ending.

The barrel arrived. 24" one in 8 twist and looks great. These were made for the long heavy bullets 140 to 160 grain with a real fast twist. I found a load that I have used in the past....48 gr RL 22 gives a MV of 2720'/sec. And the Nosler 140 BT/ Accubond  has a BC of .509. Should be dynomite on WTD.

Rick, you were always a lucky dawg. :MOGRIN:I have two 96's in 6.5 & a '95 in 7x57. One 96 has been butchered by some clod but the barrel & action look almost new BUT the :cens: cut the barrel to 17.5 inches & had it crowned with an 11 degree, so called target crown. Reason enough to legalize abortion in his case. ......Paul H

I'm not the lucky one.....Evan is!!

Quote from: Paul Hoskins;150460Rick, you were always a lucky dawg. :MOGRIN:I have two 96's in 6.5 & a '95 in 7x57. One 96 has been butchered by some clod but the barrel & action look almost new BUT the :cens: cut the barrel to 17.5 inches & had it crowned with an 11 degree, so called target crown. Reason enough to legalize abortion in his case. ......Paul H

Looks nice, Rick. I can't wait to see the finished product.

What's the status of this project, Rick?

Paul

Quote from: gitano;151567What's the status of this project, Rick?

Paul

Waiting to be blued.....all the metal work is done. Ev picked out the stock and it is ready

Is it at the "bluer's"?

Paul

Quote from: gitano;151578

Is it at the "bluer's"?

Paul

Yes, Mark Skaggs. He say it will be shipped soon.