I have an opportunity to buy this...
 

I posted this a couple years ago, but passed. The seller still has it, and is trying to sell again.

It's a sporterized Mauser in .308. He bought it from a farmer who did the work himself as a hobby. So it's a Mauser action (short action I guess, since it's .308), the barrel and stock being semi-custom. It has a Weaver scope. It's been a while since I've handled it, so I can't remember the details on the scope. Still, being a good used Weaver, I figure it is worth at least $100 by itself.

Well, he wants $225 for the rifle. Assuming it shoots well (I can shoot it all I want if I'm serious about buying) does this seem worth it?

Here's my reservation: I live in Ohio, a shotgun only state, so although it would be a great toy, I wouldn't be able to hunt with it.I dohave family in Michigan (ina rifle zone)and New Mexico where I might hunt some time, and a rifle would be great. However, if I hunt in New Mexico, it would be for mule deer or elk, which I think a .308 might be on the bottom end of the spectrum for what would be appropriate.

So, I'm not crazy about the caliber. I don't know a lot about Mauser actions, but could it be rechambered into something a little more potent?

Thanks for any advice you might give.

RE: I have an opportunity to buy this...
 

If I were you, I'd shoot it a few times from a rest. If it is "half-way accurate," I'd buy it. Like you said, the scope is worth probably half the total price.

BTW- I AM crazy about that caliber. The .308 Winchester is a fabulous cartridge, I use it for deer hunting here in Maine.

Kev

RE: I have an opportunity to buy this...
 

The 308 is a good cartridge and the mauser has a good action generally. So i would get it and u could see if you can get the price down a bit even

RE: I have an opportunity to buy this...
 

Under 200 yards, the .308 will kill an elk without question. My buddy has a 7mm mag that has a century barrel and a mauser action that is just fine. Go for it! EJ

RE: I have an opportunity to buy this...
 

I'd buy it ONLY if the rifle is on a '98 Mauser action. There were and are a whole bunch of '95 based actions converted to a lower pressure cartridge that was dimesionaly identical to the 7.62x51 NATO/.308 Winchester, but operates at a lower pressure. People have been argueing both sides since they started being imported again back in the late 1980s. Me? I don't feel comfortable shooting 52,000 PSI cartridges from a rifle designed for 45,000 PSI cartridges.