I have become intrigued with the idea of getting a European rifle with a Mauser action in 7x57 for hunting. Looking for an older one in good shape. Kinda leaning towards a Mannlicher stock configuration just because that says European to me but not married to that idea. Not wanting to convert a military rifle though. Thinking $1000-1500 price range.

What makes/models should I be looking at? I know next to nothing about European rifles.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Steyr, Mannlicher Schoenaur, Browning - owned by FN and used SAKO & FN recievers, FN aka Fabrique Nationalle of Herstal Belgium -and there's a Full stock 7x57 FN on GB right now, Husqvarna, SAKO, Schultz & Larsen, and a number of English firms who also used FN receivers. Recently saw a Whitworth Lightweight - not the Safari stlyle that Whitworth was noted for, on GB in 7x57. I don't remember ever seeing an Anschutz in a full length receiver caliber, but I may be wrong...and they are outstanding examples of quality workmanship. Couple other brand names are floating around my foggy brain just out of reach, when/IF they ever surface I'll update the info.

The Mannlicher Schoenaur styled Full Stock is what became known as a "mannlicher". A good double trigger pre WW II commercial Austrian rifle can cost substantially more than the $1k-$1,500 budget you've set.

Hit the Auction Lists for available 7x57's and see what you come up with, but this list will get you started. Have Fun!
Cheers
Ron

I may have exactly what you're looking for if you can be flexible on caliber. PM me.

Thanks Ron lots of good info there. Not really flexible on caliber have had that caliber floating around in my head for awhile.

Sir I have wanted the same thing for many years....a Rigby style in 275 Rigby (7X57)...way out of my meager budget. I assume you are looking for a controlled feed rifle instead of push feed. Have you considered the CZ rifles ? They are about as good a deal as you can find in a European Rifle in 7X57......

rick

Find a the desired barreled action, choose a nicely figured walnut stock and build you one.

I love to play with an old '96 or '98 action. I built one out of an old k98 in 8x57.

I love a good 98, as a mater of fact I own three customs built off of Mauser 98 actions. I just built a .257 WBY on a Czech 98 for Stickchunker on here last year.

With that said, if you want to stick with an original action and caliber for hunting I think you need to unstick the 7mm from your head.

If I was going to pick a mauser action in an original caliber for Texas hunting, it would be the 6.5X55 Swede all day long and twice on Sunday. It is without a peer when it comes to accuracy in the Mauser or Mauser Style family of weapons, If you reload it a dream, and it is more than capable of reaching out there quite a ways.

The Swede rifles are also very well constructed and everyone I have handled has run like butter.

Dang it now I am going to have to buy one, again. One of those post sell regrets setting in.

6.5x55 is a really good one.

98 mauser! But rem 798 remington.good gun

If not for the action & caliber request I would have suggested the remington model seven MS in 7/08 or 260. I tinkered with a Spanish 7mm Mauser for my uncle before he passed and really can't say anything good about them except owning one to have one.

The best one you might ever find with your above mentioned desires:
http://www.gunsamerica.com/932388799/FN_Supreme_7x57.htm

AND, that's a really decent price especially considering it looks new. Also, its easy to see its the FN proof marks on the barrel so its the original barrel. It also looks like a 5 digit so its a 50's era rifle.

I have the exact rifle in .270 Win and its a dream. VERY good craftsmanship. The barrel is slightly heavier than a normal sporting barrel, but that gives it its great accuracy.

I bought a 'custom' rifle from an estate with a Mauser 98 action mated to a pre-64 Winchester barrel a few years ago. Wasn't especially fond of the gun and sold it but I can't get the solid feel and lockup of that action out of my head.

Thus,thinking about another one.

Thanks so much for the replies and PMs guys-feel free to keep them coming as I am learning alot.

Here is one to look at
we shot it and it is a nice gun when he gets more shell we are going to sight it in 8mm
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...elp#Post4114643

Cool gun! tth40 I really like the one you are building too.

I've got a sporterized 98 in 7x57 and love it. Acuurate and very little recoil. Most shots and the deer is DRT, its kind of weird how that little gun drops them with 139gr Core lokts. Have killed deer to ranges pushing 300yds with no issue.

There's an ad in the classifieds that has 3 7x57's.

What's got me stuck on the 7x57 is O'Connor writing about his wife Elenor's (sp?) rifle in that caliber. He extols the virtues of it a lot.

That said, I looked at a Ruger International in either 6x57 or 6mm Swede (I can't remember exactly and don't even know if I have those calibers correct) at a small gun shop. Will be there Wednesday and may pick it up if I like the feel of it. That is, if I can rationalize it within my budget, as it would be in addition to looking for the 7x57.

I have a real gun "bug" right now and really need to shake it somehow.

The 6.5 x55 SE aka Swedish Express is the newest 1908 ?? version of the 1894 design and was the designated Swedish & Norwegian military round until after WW II. The SE is a tad faster than the original.

The 6.5x57 was a German sporting caliber, and is still offered in some euro brands of ammo. Obviously it is a variation of the 7x57-8x57-9.3x57 line of designs pre WWII. I used to see a fair number of these from Allens Armory in Tampa, but haven't looked in long time.
Cheers
Ron

Thanks Ron it was the former as I'm sure you already knew.

the .270 would never been as popular as it was had it not been for Mr. O'Connor and his writings.

Its not a true european rifle, but ruger makes a mannlicher stocked M77 Mk II in 7x57 i believe. its not a true mauser action but does have a claw feed.

I really like the FN Commercial 98M. There is a shop in NW Austin that has several in different cals.

Brno and the early browning safari pre salt

Thanks, brother. Hopefully I'll have everything dialed in just right for some anti-hog sniping activity very soon. Working on some new loads for it now.

Thanks for all the help guys. I have my eye on a 7x57 in an auction. They had sold the Ruger 6.5x55 I was looking at but that's fine I think I'll make that one a future acquisition in another 98 action.

We all have our own favorites. I own Mausers from several countries. The 6.5X55 is hands down the best shooter of any of them. When a stock rifle made in 1906 puts 5 shot groups under 1" at 100 yards, it's a shooter. Recoil is negligible. And ammo is available just about everywhere.

Whichever one you go with, you may want to change the front sight since most are set to shoot 200 meters with the rear sight all the way down. You can buy Mauser blank front sights at any of the parts places like Brownells for nearly nothing. I bought 6 of them since they fit just about all Mausers. Set your rear sight up one notch (just in case you file too much off) and file the front sight down till its on at 50 yards. Keep the original front sight in a labeled container so you can return the rifle to "original" condition if you want to.

Thanks PH I'll do that. Wow! That 6.5x55 gets rave reviews-definitely on my list now guys.