I have recenly inherited a German Mauser manufactured around 1940 and am going to have a custom timber rifle built on the action. This is going to be a fairly light "mountain rifle" that will be used to hunt both deer and elk in thick timber. I am hoping that this rifle will be used for shots of 200 yards or less. If I think the shots may be longer, I'll take my .270 Wby Mag. I want to keep the action length the same, so a short-action round is out of the question. I also want to keep the recoil to a minimum (too many shoulder surgeries). My question is, should I just keep the chambering the same (8 x 57) or should I go with something like 30-06, .280 Rem, .338-06 or 7 x 57? What other suggestions might you have? The gun will sport a 23" fluted Lilja stainless barrel, composite stock and Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. It will most likely wear a Leupold 2x7 Compact scope in Conetrol rings.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting