I finally had a custom rifle built.

[Badger]

A week ago Wednesday I received my custom rifle back from a great gunsmith after an 11-month wait. I had a Mauser Mark X action barreled to .264 Winchester Magnum. A Timiny trigger was installed and the action glass bedded and barrel floated. I put a 6X scope on the rifle and went to the range to test IMR 4350 and 120 grain, 129 grain and 140 grain jacketed spitzers in the rifle.

Fortunately another club board member was on the firing line to witness the results. All loads were under one inch at 100 yards, but the best was the 120 grain Sierras that went .375" for 3 rounds. I am happy with the .264 and will shoot it all summer at chucks and coyotes.

I always wanted to build one rifle in my lifetime and have done so. I have another action and am thinking of a 7x57MM or maybe a 6.5x55MM rifle to add to the heap. Anyone else building a rifle?

Badger

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve a 6.5x55 on a Mark X action, Timmeny trigger, hart barrel, glass bedded/floated in a old Fajen laminate stock. I put a burris FF II 3x9 on it and am happy as a clam with it.
Yours sounds like a very nice rifle, one I`d be proud to own:D

[Altjaeger]

That should keep a smile on your face a few days!:)

It sounds really nice. Now to the other action I am a fan of the 7x57, but have never used the 6.5x55. Tough decision. Do you go for a second and more moderate 6.5mm or a new caliber.

By the way on that new rifle pics would be nice.:)

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Badger, you're a helluva man if you can shoulder a 264 Win Mag for varmint shooting. My shoulder and ears just won't take that sort of abuse any more. Sounds like a beaut though.

Alan

[Badger]

Alan,

LOL. Yes, I plan to use the .264 for chucks, BUT I always wear ear muffs when I shoot chucks with ANY gun.

I have a farm in PA and about 10 years ago two college-aged guys came by and asked to hunt chucks in the big hayfield. I told them ok and all afternoon I heard their .22/250s pop. Just before dark they came down to the house and both fellows complained, "Wow, my ears are ringing!" I asked them, "Why don't you use ear muffs?"

Both said, "Because we were hunting." I said, your ears are DAMAGED by 150+ decibles whether on the range or in a hayfield." I reckon both guys graduated with honors. DUH!

Badger

[Badger]

Altjaeger,

I am leaning toward a 7x57MM so I can load that fine round to its full potential. I have M1893, M1895 and M1916 7mm Mausers and they are really limited to 40,000psi. They are nice old guns within their limitations. I would like a nice 7x57mm that shoots well.

Badger

[southtexas]

Badger: Congrats on the 264! Where are the pictures??!! BTW, the 264 makes a marvelous open country deer gun with 125gr Partitions at about 3300fps!

[bugsNbows]

Badger, that .264 WM sounds awesome. Congrats. I'm jealous as can be.

[Gil Martin]

I have a few rifles at the same gunsmith Badger used that are under construction. Two are 1903 Springfields (that were sporterized when I bought them) and will become a .338-06 and a .270 Winchester. A sporterized U.S. 1917 Enfield will become a second .338-06. The last one is a 1909 Argentine that will be a 7X57mm Mauser. I have been waiting for a spell, but the gunsmith does great work at reasonable prices. All the best...
Gil

[Badger]

Gil,

Lester does fine work and that is why there is a long wait for his services. I will send him an action for a 7X57MM rifle in the near future.

Badger

[pepaw]

Congrats on your rifle. I had mine rebarreled recently and was very pleased when it turned out to be much more accurate than before.
I can imagine you are still puffed up!

Nice to see a plan come together.

I have hunted with a .264 mag, but now carry the other 6.5 (.260). :)

pepaw

[kenjs1]

Congrats - a custom rilfle is something everyone of us ought to have once in our lifetime. Still pining here. Pepaw congrats on your new barrel too.