Mauser 93 rebuild

[lazydrifter]

A couple of weeks ago I was handed this mauser for free.  7X57 cal.  Since I already have a couple builds in progress I thought I would do this as easy as possible. Since the bore looks good and it's in the caliber I wanted I figured I would use the existing barrel.  1st I removed all the black epoxy and the old military sights.  Then I cleaned up the original stock, which I believe is walnut, installed a pachmeyer recoil pad that I already had.  Then I cut off the old bolt handle, heated and hammered it back straight, put a swept back bend on it and rewelded it. I welded it low so that I can go with a small 4X scope mounted real low.  So far, no money invested.  Next, drill and tap for a scope, offset safety, either redo or install a new trigger, and shorten and re-crown the barrel.  Here is a few pics.

[hunterofelk]

That looks real nice!  I had a '93 worked on and the bolt did not come out that well.  I think the guy just cut it and flipped it over and re-welded it.  I had a cock-on-open and trigger kit installed by another 'smith and he did a great job.  Now, the barrel was okay to start with, but I can't get any groups under six inches.  Sometimes a bullet goes wild.  I would like to replace the barrel with a new 7x57 small ring, but I don't see the need to use a premium barrel.  Those high end barrels are the only ones I've found for a '93-'96 small ring mauser.  Do you have any suggestions?  Know of any brands or where I can locate a good or excellent shape used barrel?  Thanks.  Again, nice work on the rifle.  I would like to have a shop, tools and maybe a dozen mausers to practice rebuilding.

[lazydrifter]

There are some nice used or new barrels on gunbroker at times.  There is a new 257 Roberts small ring on there right now and I think the bid is only 75.00.  I've got a 98 mauser in right now getting a Shilen 25-06 barrel but if I need to replace this barrel down the road I think I'll go with an A&B barrel off of Midway.  I think new they only run 89.00.  I've been thinking about the cock on opening kit but I don't know.  Check the bore out on your barrel.  Alot of times the last inch or two is shot because of those steel cleaning rods they ran in and out from the bore.  If it is, you might get away with cutting it down and recrowning it.

[hunterofelk]

Did the recrowning when I first got it.  The guy took some material off the end to fix the large chamber, also.  I did find the A&B barrels on Midway USA, don't know if a series 2 type will fit a small ring mauser.  I sent Midway an e-mail asking the question.  This would be exactly what I am looking for if it turns out.  I swear if you don't do the work yourself, you may as well buy a brand new one.  I have a soft spot for the early mausers, I shot my first elk with a 6.5 Swede.

[phishisgroovin]

thats coming along great! i like it so far.
im not too sure how to modify the safety lever for a low scope. how will you do this, if your scope is forward of it enough then you should be able to leave it as is.
a lighter spring in the trigger is easy, just use a bic lighter spring. be careful touching the trigger though.
my spanish mauser is this way an people think it has a bunch of money invested into it. its TOUCHY!
not sure if mine is a BIC spring or not, but if you pull it the slightest it goes BOOM.