Mauser Question

[RB]

I inherited this from my grandma several years ago and decided to finally take it to the range. The problem is it would not shoot anywhere near consistent. After 10 rounds I literally covered the entire target at 100 yards.

Question's could it be the 50 year old Weaver K3 not good any more?

Could it be the ammo?

Could it be just an old worn out gun that will no longer shoot consistently?

I was hoping to set this up for my son but if it will not dial in I am going to have to go a different route.

Thoughts??

Thanks

[Oh Mah]

Yep,i have one too,its the round count.ITS BEEN FIRED A LOT BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.I love mine,it was a gift when i was a kid but very inconsistent.I might get a group of 4-5 in. at 100yds.

[RB]

Yep,i have one too,its the round count.ITS BEEN FIRED A LOT BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.I love mine,it was a gift when i was a kid but very inconsistent.I might get a group of 4-5 in. at 100yds.

Yup that is about as good as I was getting

[Magnum_Willys]

My mauser 30-06 is shoots 5" groups with factory ammo but ragged hole with handloads.   

[RB]

My mauser 30-06 is shoots 5" groups with factory ammo but ragged hole with handloads.   

Yeah her late husband was a handloader and I was not able to get his formula, figured I would try factory loads, still might pick up a couple more different brands when i can and see if they shoot any different. I would think the scope would be ok it was a quality scope back in the day i believe

[dreadi]

I have an old Spanish Mauser that had been sporterized.  I couldn't figure out what was up with the groups. Well I cut another 4 inches off and put an 11 degree crown on it. Worked on some loads and and sticking with this.

160gr Sierra Game King SP with 48.3gr of H4831SC 2491fps COAL 2.975" .26" group at 50yds.

[j_h_nimrod]

I certainly would not give up on it. I have a military stock 1896 6.5x55 that shoots 4-5" with factory loads at 200 yards with open sights.

First I would check all the scope mounting screws, maybe throw a $25 Tasco on for a few groups to rule out the good ol' Weaver. Take a close look at the crown, get a cut n crown if you can/think it will help.  Give it a thorough cleaning!  Take a good look at the bore. Look at the action screws, stock bearing on the barrel...

If all that fails, look into a new barrel. Give or take that all might add up to a new Ruger American, but the sentimental value of your kid taking a deer with that 100 year old gun may outweigh that...

[Oh Mah]

I have an old Spanish Mauser that had been sporterized.  I couldn't figure out what was up with the groups. Well I cut another 4 inches off and put an 11 degree crown on it. Worked on some loads and and sticking with this.

160gr Sierra Game King SP with 48.3gr of H4831SC 2491fps COAL 2.975" .26" group at 50yds.

I'm gonna give this a try.Mine was my first hunting rifle,worked ok but never very close.But means a lot to me. 

[dreadi]

You're welcome. I also have a 175gr Hornady flat base bullet and 36gr of IMR 4064 recipe data somewhere.

[cardinalguns]

I inherited this from my grandma several years ago and decided to finally take it to the range. The problem is it would not shoot anywhere near consistent. After 10 rounds I literally covered the entire target at 100 yards.

Question's could it be the 50 year old Weaver K3 not good any more?

Could it be the ammo?

Could it be just an old worn out gun that will no longer shoot consistently?

I was hoping to set this up for my son but if it will not dial in I am going to have to go a different route.

Thoughts??

Thanks

RB, as dreadi and J B Nimrod pointed out, it could be as simple as the scope needing repair, (just don't test it with a scope of lesser quality) scope mounts loose, or a bad muzzle crown. Beyond that, make sure the sling swivel stud is not bearing on the under side of the barrel. While you have the stock removed, look for a split stock or poor bedding. When you re-assemble, lightly bang the butt on the floor, then torque the forward guard screw, followed by the rear screw, with less tension on the rear. Finally, you can check the the barrel throat for erosion, but if that is the only issue, its time for barrel work.

[hunterofelk]

Looks like a great rifle.  I am partial to mausers.  I have an 1893 mauser in 7x57 and it never liked the bullets below 154 grains.  I use 160 gr. Speer and the minimum load of IMR 4831.  The old barrels have a slower twist of rifling and like longer bullets.  That ammo might be too hot.

[dreadi]

I'm glad your brought all that up. I forgot to mention that this morning.

In addition to the shortening and crown work of the muzzle, I cleaned the bore, more so than any other rifle I've ever cleaned. I even plugged the barrel and filled it with Kroil, scrubbed it with ChoreBoy because I couldn't find ChoreGirl, and much JB Bore Paste was used. Doing those type of things and checking that all the mounts and rings are installed correctly, are what I think are the most important part ensuring accuracy of the rifle.

My rifle, it's accurate enough for my intended hunting. I consistently hit a 8" steel plate from a rest and off hand at 100yds with a Vortex Scout Scope and that 160gr Hornady load.

[724wd]

and you're SURE it's a 7x57? 

[RB]

and you're SURE it's a 7x57?

My grandma is still alive and is very sure it is a 7mm Mauser she hunted with it in the 50's and 60's out of Spokane. But I had that thought too rounds feed just fine.

[RB]

Thanks for all the replies guys I will check it out some more, I know the screws are tight on the scope mount, and I will check the the other points mentioned, as well as different ammo. 

[cardinalguns]

and you're SURE it's a 7x57?

 

[dreadi]

and you're SURE it's a 7x57?

That's great question. What Mauser is the rifle? Is the caliber stamped on the receiver?

[RB]

Ok thanks for all the replies, I went to the range today and it shot well! This is the first time I have witnessed ammo changing accuracy so much. Bought this box of 175 grain Federals and first two shots were within 1/2 inch of each other, but way low and right.

After making sure the scope was not loose and all screws were tight I opened the caps and started to adjust the scope. Made elevation first and went way to far, then brought it back down and then moved left. Hit the bulls eye at 100 yards with the fifth shot, dead on!

Not the most sleek looking bullet but they sure shoot good it this rifle! Thanks again for the helpful tips.

 

[quadrafire]

RB
I have a 7x57. it is a great shooter. Mine is a Ruger. I'm  hand loading with H4350 47.5 gr.  and accubond 140 gr. Killed a whitetail with it last fall.
It's a little prettier bullet than that 175. haha

[quadrafire]

RB
I have a 7x57. it is a great shooter. Mine is a Ruger. I'm  hand loading with H4350 47.5 gr.  and accubond 140 gr. Killed a whitetail with it last fall.
It's a little prettier bullet than that 175. haha

But don't ask the end recipient

[quadrafire]

I have a 8mm  sporterized Mauser with a 4x Jason scope with a broken reticle  that was sighted in probably 1970. It still shoots 2 inch groups. Crazy!!!!

[RB]

RB
I have a 7x57. it is a great shooter. Mine is a Ruger. I'm  hand loading with H4350 47.5 gr.  and accubond 140 gr. Killed a whitetail with it last fall.
It's a little prettier bullet than that 175. haha

But don't ask the end recipient

Awesome