Sporterized?

raging_bull · 02-12-2006, 08:28 AM

What does it mean to sporterize a Mauser?

UncleNorby · 02-12-2006, 08:50 AM

Basically it refers to converting a military arm to a sporting arm. That can involve a very wide range of stock, barrel and action treatments.

bigbulls · 02-12-2006, 01:53 PM

Just like Uncle said. To change the original military configuration of the rifle.

This could be a little as changing the stock to a full blown custom rifle on a military action.

IMINRUT · 02-12-2006, 07:55 PM

Here is a before and after shot of my sporterized .303.

raging_bull · 02-13-2006, 02:30 AM

Thanks for clarifying thos one, guys;

and thanks IMINRUTfor sharing your beautiful rifle.

bigmatty65 · 02-13-2006, 06:04 PM

Thats a beautififul #4 lee-enfield IMINRUT. Are the canadian/british/indonesian .303 rifle common in the U.S like they are here in Canada? personaly having 17 different .303rifle ranging from a asnew #5 jungle carbinecomplete with an original bayonete to sporterized rifles with synthetic stocks, five round flush-fit mags and scopes. i was wondering this because i have only seen 3 M1 grands, one springfield 1903, a couple of 30-40krags and i have never seen a trapdoor springfeild yet in life. I seem to reason that american militery rifles are scarce in Canada.

Roskoe · 02-13-2006, 07:04 PM

This rifle is almost a dead ringer for my first gunsmith project. My grandfather had this old #4 Lee Enfield and we made the stock from a plank of Turkish Walnut. Despite its two groove barrel, the gun shot almost MOA with handloads.

That was almost 40 years ago. I have since sporterized a lot of military rifles - mostly Mausers - in every case, however, the cost to convert the military rifle far exceeded what you could buy a quality sporting rifle for at Gart Brothers. My most recent personal project wound up costing me the same as a new Remington 700; despite getting the Mauser 96 action as a gift and using a barrel I had sitting around the shop. I guess old gunsmiths never learn . . . .

IMINRUT · 02-13-2006, 07:46 PM

bigmatty,
I usually see a few at gun shows, but not many. I don't know anybody else that hunts with one. I have another one just like it that I inherited from my father. My grandfather had a #5 carbine that went down in a house fire.

Since you own 17, I'm going to assume that you know a thing or two about .303s, so I have a question. On my father's gun, the words "Long Branch" are stamped on the side just under No.4 Mk.1. What does Long Branch stand for?

Roskoe · 02-14-2006, 11:57 AM

This means it was made at the Long Branch Arsenal.

bigmatty65 · 02-14-2006, 03:33 PM

Long Branch is one of the Canadian arsenels that made the rifles. Savage also made 303 #4 MK3s and the one that i have is marked U.S property. i also have a a #4 long branch made in 1954 that is in mint shape and shoots 1 moa at 100 yards.