Seeing we had some discussions on this model on a Blaser thread, and also I have had an exchnage of PMs with a member looking to acquire one, thought it might be an idea to have a thread discussion on the Mauser M03.

Just a quick post or two to start it off, then maybe some more posts later on.

I didn't think much of the Mauser M03, but after using one of ErikD's rifles a Mauser M03 in 7x64mm on an alg/elg/moose hunt, decided I liked them after all. When the rght rifle came up for sale locally dusted off the credit card and lashed out on it. Finally acquiring a takedown, which I had wanted for years, but instead of a Mauser M98 takedown, instead the more modern M03.

I am lucky enough to have two Mauser M03's. One of these rifles is the "Extreme" version with a green synthetic stock. Originally I purchased this rifle second hand from Mark Savage who was a gun dealer at the time, but owned this rifle as a personal firearm. It was then equipped with a .30-06 "Solid" barrel, a heavy profiled barrel.

I ordered through Mark a serious of accessories. Being shy and experienced with "multi" rifles through my Valmet/Tikka "shooting system" and what happens when they are no longer manufacturered, and once must search used markets for years to find bits and pieces. This time I decided to spend and get what I needed at the beginning. So I ordered an "African" style barrel in .404 Jeffery. Has a wide V useful rear sight and a banded muzzle. A thicker barrel. Having had an Extreme model designed for a SOLID barrel turned out to be useful, as the thicker solid barrel stock could also handle the bigger bore barrels. A thinner forend barrel groove on some models would not have sufficed.

Also a much desired longer barrel in 8x68S.

The third additional barrel I desired was the 6.5x68 to match the 8x68S. But alas Mauser no longer listed them, and had instead the 6.5x65 RWS which I have to satisfy myself with. A Mauser salesman even lied to me once, and said they had never listed the 6.5x68 ... even though it once was listed. I think Mauser also used to specify custom chamberings were possible and I enquired twice. Don't think I ever recieved a reply.

And the fourth additional barrel purchased is my much loved and most used .222 Remington barrel.

Inadditon I acquired a variety of 26 mm and 30 mm Mauser Mo3 QD mounts, porobably not enough, I must look into a couple more, but they are not cheap. Also the bolt tips for differing cartridge head sizes, and additional magazines. I should acquire an additional mag for the .404, which I think doubles for the 8x68S (?). Need to check.

A gun case for the rifle and a barrel was included with the rifle.

Now I had a redundant .30-06 SOLID barrel. I probably would have kept it if it wasn't a heavy barrel, but decided to raise some cash and sell the barrel. After a while, one of NE's members expressed interest it in and acquired it.

Then to my wallet's dismay, newly replensihed he later had a Mauser M03 for sale himself. In a "Alpine" model, walnut stocked with a schnabel tipped forend, and a somewhat Germanic stock. The member had two other M03's as well so wasn't abandoning the model. We came to a deal and I added a second M03 to my safe.

Now why did I want two? Well I always wanted one to restock in a nice English fashioned stock of quality walnut. Also I wanted a second, so for example if I hunted in Africa, I could have a .404 AND a 8x68S readily available, without having to change over barrels, scopes etc etc. Ideally I should have a custom takedown rifle case made up to cater for two stocks and two barrels, scopes, bolts etc.

Or I could have my favourite .222 always ready for action on the farm, and have the walnut stocked M03 with the 6.5mm or 8mm barrel setup for any deer hunting, that might come up from time to time.

As for English classic restocking of the walnut M03, I think I have decided to just keep the existing Germanic stock. OIt does suit the German rifle and many of its chamberings which I do have.

Changing over from one calibre chambering to another is very easy. Remove the scope, QD mounts make it easy. Reove the bolt so the bolt no longer locks up into the barrel. There are two screws in the bottom of the stock. A specific tool allows them to be unscrewed easily. The barrel can then be removed. The bolt head is reasonably easy to remove with a bit of fiddling each time. Change over the magazine as required. Then reverse the process for the new calibre.

I do usually test re-sight the rifle when changing over. Especially for the .222 where I demand extreme on target accuracy. I brain shoot a lot of deer with my M03 .222 and this needs a lot fo accuracy. More so, headshooting hares, rabbits and foxes. Not much adjusting is usually neeed. And for the larger calibres, the difference would not be important.

The safety on the rifle also decocks the bolt. It looks a but finicky and even noisy. In practice it is not an issue at all.

Now these rifles do not win beauty contests IMO. Maybe the specially made ones, the other NE member has might. Mine are relatively plain rifles. Good user rifles. The M03 is a solid made man's rifle. Stout, strong and not gimmicky.

The only problem I have had is the magazine springs in the mags are touchy. i left .222 rounds in that mag and it must have weakened the mag spring. So it no longer exerts enough forced to chamber cartridges. Pathetic IMO. But now I make sure cartridges are removed from mags. As is a legal requirement now for storage anyway. The Australian agent, Myalls promised to replaced the ,222 mag years ago, free of charge. Never did it. Hopefully they still will!!!

Some previous photos to start off some pics.

Coming later, have to post and come back to this thread and post.