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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Mauser Discussion Forum
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NitroXAdministrator
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"Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions
      #86030 - 22/09/07 02:01 AM

When I was at the SHOT Show in Melbourne this year, I purchase a couple of stock blanks from Roger Vardy.

One was to be used to re-stock my .30-06 and this is being done by Ross Waghorn of Melbourne.

The other, an exhibition grade stock, I fell in "love" with. With its rich colours. For some reason it made be think of the lovely coat of a tiger. So doing a deal with Roger I arranged for it to be put aside for me and I now have it in my possession.

The project I have in mind is to build a Mauser 98 actioned rifle in a calibre popular in India during the grand hunting days of the sub-continent.

Have a look at this stock blank:



What calibres do you think would be suitable for it?

They should be chamberings that were popular in India in the first half of the previous century (ie 1900 to 1950). Possibly big bore chamberings but more likely to be medium calibres from .300 to .400.

Tell me what you think!

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DarylS
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86037 - 22/09/07 03:22 AM

Very nice indeed. Make a nice .35 or .375 Whelen or Whelen Imp. Of course, a 9.3x62 would also fit well being almost identical to an improved '06 case in case capacity.

--------------------
Daryl


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Yochanan
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86042 - 22/09/07 06:46 AM

John,
404 Jeffery, 375 H&H, 10,75X68, 9,3X62, 333 Jeffery, 318WR, 8X57IS or 300 H&H

Cheers
Johan

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.

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szihn
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: Yochanan]
      #86046 - 22/09/07 07:34 AM

Beautiful!

I wrote to him but he never wrote back to me.
What would such a stock blank cost in US dollars (if you might know?)

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dons
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: DarylS]
      #86051 - 22/09/07 10:01 AM

How about the classic turn of the century 350 Rigby.

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308
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: dons]
      #86053 - 22/09/07 11:46 AM

What rifles did Corbett use?

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: 308]
      #86060 - 22/09/07 01:42 PM

Some good suggestions, some of which I had thought of.

The .318 WR and the .333 Jeffrey have appeal.

The .350 Rigby Magnum was probably popular in India as well.

Keep up the suggestions. What calibres are mentioned by the various Indian hunter writers?

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peter
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86073 - 22/09/07 05:36 PM

the 318 for sure john

its a classic that will do all execpt heavy DG.

peter

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Classic416
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Re: Corbetts rifle [Re: 308]
      #86108 - 23/09/07 07:39 AM

I believe one of Corbetts favourite rifle was in .275 Rigby; received as a gift for killing the Champawat man eater in 1907, from the Governor (of U.P), Sir John Hewett (I am of the understanding that this is the same as the 7x57 - not sure if they are interchangeable?)I believe Bell (in Africa) used the 7x57 a great deal. So you have a calibre used by two very famous and highly respected hunters. The Rigby name also has the nostalgia factor. Perhaps this is one to consider.
Just realised there is the thread about Jim Corbetts rifle in this section. I was looking through a reproduction of an old Rigby catalogue, dated 1924, that I have. Their model 4 rifle is in 350 Rigby magnum and below the details of the calibre is a picture of a Tiger; I guess to indicate its suitablility for that animal. Don't know how difficult 350 Rigby brass is to find?

Edited by Classic416 (23/09/07 03:28 PM)

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dons
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86109 - 23/09/07 08:18 AM

One of the famous Rigby calibers (275, 303, 350, 416) would certainly be appropriate. After all, Rigby started the whole British made Mauser thing in 1898 when Mauser introduced the 98 action. They were the exclusive distributor for Mauser from 1898 to 1912. This was the height of tiger hunting for the British Raj in India. Eliminate the 303 because it is a rimmed round. The 350 Magnum action was developed exclusively for Rigby in 1905 and the 416 appeared in 1912.

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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: dons]
      #86167 - 25/09/07 11:47 AM

John,

Beautiful piece of wood.

I would do a 9.3x62 Mauser. That was the mainstay of the African continent, and I feel sure it got a lot of use in India too.

By the way, it is an outstanding cartridge in its own right!

Curl

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mehulkamdar
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86168 - 25/09/07 12:11 PM

John,

That is a superb stock in the making and you have the Marlene Dietrich of rifles waiting to be made!

The 30-06, 318, 333 Jeff, 6.5x57, 7x57 and 300 H&H were all popular in India. Any of these done in the classic British style stock would be a superb rifle indeed. You're going to give a lot of people here insomnia waiting for thie beauty to be built.

Good luck and good hunting!

--------------------
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Mehul Kamdar

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #86181 - 25/09/07 08:22 PM

333 Jeffrey,an absolute classic.
Al

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #86712 - 07/10/07 02:12 AM

Well my first choice is still my last choice.

The .318 Westley Richards. One of WDM Bell's favourite rounds and a great killer of game in Africa.

From the Westley Richards website:



.318 Westley Richards

250 grain Soft Nose or Solid Bullet
Muzzle Velocity 2400 ft/sec Energy 3200 ft/lbs BL 26"

Woodleigh makes a 250 gr RNSP Weldcore and FMJ, and Bertram makes a 180 gr SP, and 250 gr soft point at a cheaper price. Maybe some .338 bullets can be swaged down as well.

Brass can be made from .30-06 brass.

I like the 8x68S, .338/06, .318 WR, .333 Jeffrey range of cartridges for medium game, and the .318 is also a classic.


***

Gentlemen, however please update this thread as you might read different Indian hunting books. I am more than interested in recording what calibres were predominantly in use in India. Thanks.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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dons
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86722 - 07/10/07 08:17 AM

No one can argue with this choice.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: dons]
      #86733 - 07/10/07 02:22 PM



Yes I was interested when Bruce Bertram told me he was making 180 gr SPs in .330 for the .318 WR. They should prove a good bullet for lighter medium game like pigs and goats for practice. Not sure how they are constructed but would find out. However this is a "long term" project and knowing custom gunsmithing times several years before a shot is fired!


I will probably use a Mauser 98 action I have in stock. An FN Columbian Mauser 98 action in good condition. Currently it is equipped with a .30-06 stepped barrel.

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Classic416
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #86796 - 08/10/07 07:02 PM

John, if you choose the 318 WR I'll get a box of Kynoch factory ammo from my uncle for you; just to have for collector interest. My dad lives in Gawler so when I next visit him I'll bring it with me; assuming I get it on the aircraft, otherwise I'll work something else out. (courier etc.)

Edited by Classic416 (08/10/07 09:40 PM)

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: Classic416]
      #86814 - 09/10/07 02:11 AM

Thanks for that! Will look good in the future photos too.

I might have some wine for you in return.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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1980E26
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #87507 - 21/10/07 11:07 AM

NitroX

Nice stick of lumber. How about something unique and rare like a 40BSA!!!!


Corbin

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1980E26
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #87509 - 21/10/07 11:10 AM

Nitro X

How about more photos of the blank. Forend and the other side.


Corbin

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Nakihunter
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: 1980E26]
      #87519 - 21/10/07 08:01 PM

Hi John, My name is Ashok. I was born in India & now am a Kiwi for the last 15 years. I am a new member on this site. My dad was a forestry & widlife manager from 1947 to 1983. He was a passionate hunter turned conservationist & was the Chief Wildlife warden of Tamil Nadu state in South India for a while. He shot 2 tigers in 1952 & 53 - he used an Astra 12 bore hammer gun (new) with "lethal ball" Elley ammo. Both were females at 9ft 6in "between pegs". They were killing cattle belonging to the forestry staff & dad had to either shoot them or see them poisoned (pesticide in the kill) by the locals. I still have old photos but the skins were not well preserved. He also bought a 423 Mauser (10.75X68) FN rifle in 1957 (after I was born). He shot 2 leopards with that rifle - both big males 7ft 6in "between pegs" which was considered a great trophy even then. One skin was ruined in transit & the other still hangs on the wall of a cousin's house (it was gifted to my grand dad & then it went down the line of male heirs!). This was done by the famous taxidermists Van Ingins of Mysore.

Let me confess that I am not at all experienced in the above subject but have been passionate about it since I was 12 years old, when dad sold his firearms in 1968!

Your stock looks stunning & I would suggest the following calibers only because they are what dad's friends used in the mid tom late 60's before all legal hunting stopped in India. The bolt action rifles I can remeber are 375H&H, 404 Jeffrey, 318 WR (I know an old friend from college who has one & I haven't seen him for 30 years - may be I should call on him!), 423 Mauser, 416 Rigby and the 9.5X57 Mannlicher Schoenauer (375 express). This was the era after Jim Corbet & he used double rifles for most of his tiger shooting. I had never heard of the 9.3s in India (though I bought a Simson & sohon here in NZ & am having it refurbised). My caliber for nostalgia would be either the 318WR or the 404 Jeffrey. I still hope to track down dad's 423 some day! He is now 83 & not too well, but still congratulated me on my nice black bnear (brown phase) I got last month in BC.

Good luck on your project.

--------------------
Always shoot through the target & not just at it.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: Nakihunter]
      #87587 - 22/10/07 12:23 PM

Ashok

Thanks for your comments and stories.

The 10.75x68 (or a .404) would be a strong contender if I was more interested in a big bore chambering. In this case I am leaning to a medium bore so I can use it more at home.

Are you able to can the old photos? If so it would be really great to see any old photos from India's hunting days. Plus any from the era of interest on other related subjects. I can host the photos for you if needed, send me a PM if you need them hosted.

Now that you live in NewZealand with its relatively liberal gun laws, yes it would be great for you to track down any family firearms. Lots of hunting to enjoy them with in NZ (but no tigers ) !

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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Peterb
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: NitroX]
      #88175 - 02/11/07 03:38 PM

Beautiful piece of Jurglans Regia, seed English. I'd say if the forearm is as well grained as the rear, it is a $750 piece. Beautiful.

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Nakihunter
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: Peterb]
      #88176 - 02/11/07 05:05 PM

Please check out gunstocks com . They have some great wood on specials & the prices look very interesting. I have ordered the Obendorf English walnut for a future project. I which I could have put it on my 9.3 which arrives next week after a full refurbishment.

What have you decided on John?

--------------------
Always shoot through the target & not just at it.

Edited by NitroX (10/11/07 05:58 PM)

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: "Tiger" M98 rifle - need suggestions [Re: Nakihunter]
      #88675 - 10/11/07 06:00 PM

Thread hyjack snipped off and relocated to the General reloading forum.

Got to be some advantages to being an Administrator.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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