Hello all. I require the privilage of your collective knowlege. I have just aquired my winter project. It is an old 6.5x55 Swedish mauser, but unfortunatly, I do not have it right in front of me, I left it at the shop. The problem is, I don't know what it is. I am aware, there were apperantly 3 versions of the military rifle. 2 long barrels, and a short 18" carbine. Mine is the carbine. On the bbl, there is a VT stamped on it, at first I thought Vermont, but thats just silly. All thats there is the barreled action. It's not pretty, but it functions. I fell in love with the little model 70 and 77 compacts. I think this will be the ideal little action to base my compact rifle on. I'm not sure as to what I'll do for a scope mount yet. I don't like side mounts, but the reciever is slotted directly on top, on the rear half where the bolt passes through. Perhaps a foward mount with an extended eye relief scope (?). If anyone has a similar rifle, let me know please, and how you managed to mount optics. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this post.