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Which rifle to sporterize???

duster68duster68 Member Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
edited December 2001 in Ask the Experts
I've got several bolt action mil. surp. rifles. I'd like to sporterize one to use as a hunting / casual target rifle. I'd like to make the right choice, so I need some opinions. I've got the following:1. Romanian Mosin Nagant, VG, all matching.2. M-48 Yugo Mauser, unissued, all matching, all accessories.3. Spanish FR8, Good, non-matching. 4. Czech. VZ-24, Good, non-matching. If you had the above rifles, which would you sporterize? Are any of these collectible, or potentially collectible? If so, I'd like to leave them as they are. I should also mention that I'm not considering any other "non-gunsmith" option for the scope mount. I'm going to have it drilled and tapped and the bolt and saftely altered if needed. To me, it's between the Czech. and Yugo. I haven't fired the latter because of its condition. I was planning on storing it and hoping it's value increases in the future. Will it or are they too common? The Czech is an awesome shooter, far prettier and of better quality than the Yugo, IMO. It's also not in as good condition and is non-matching. What do you think?
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Comments

  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What Saxon said can be true ... but it depends on how far you want to go with it! I was concidering the same thing you were, I have a '38 turk, an Un-issued Yugo M48 and thought I wanted to "customise" one too! I bought an 98K german action $125 ... needed lots of work, light pitting on receiver, heavy on the bolt body & extractor ... get the picture?Cheap barrel $100, cheap production walnut stock $100+ cheap trigger $80, drill & tap $50, head-space, float barrel, glass bedding $300, scope rings & bases $60, then there is all the little stuff like sling mounts & swivils ... another $50 ... who much gun can you buy for $865 ... without a scope!Needless to say, after I put a pencil to it I decided aginst it ... want to buy a German 98K action?What I did end up doing was taking my Yugo and had it drilled & tapped, ordered a thumbhole stock (finished drop in) from Boyds & installed it myself, polished the hammer/trigger/sear contacts and I installed the scope & mounts. I like it, I plan to reload for it eventually which will improve the groups, but I still have $585 in it(including scope) that it will never be worth to anyone except to me.Do what you will ... its a man thing!
    GUN CONTROL: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Well, I always am against sporterizing as it messes up a piece of history, but if you want to, you can go a cheaper route. If you want, you can cut down the military stock, keep the original caliber mil. barrel and install new sights, perhaps shorten the barrel and bed the action, but finish will still be military, bolt and trigger military, that is kind of crude... but you will have a lighter, handier gun with a minimum of effort. Personally I like double stage military triggers and would be happy with a sporter in one. But as I said, I wouldn't bother anyhow.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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  • duster68duster68 Member Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll leave things well enough alone. I had no idea I'd have to change triggers, in additional to everything else. I love the rifles the way they are, I just thought I could save money by going this route. I guess not.
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  • J.JohnJ.John Member Posts: 56 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Been there done that several times. Actual money spent any where from $250 to $450, but I had at least $1000 worth of satisfaction.The Czech would be my choice.
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  • sig-mansig-man Member Posts: 591 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go with the VZ-24, the BRNO action is one of the strongest around, I have a friend that has several in .308,and they shoot very well, you could buy a Remington for what you need to spend to get your choice sporterized, but then again the personal satisfaction of doing it yourself is worth alot more, have fun and good luck...
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  • wundudneewundudnee Member Posts: 6,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Think real hard before you bend, fold or mutilate. I have two guns that I would sure like to have back in their original configuration. One is a WW2 model 12 riot. It has the original cartouched WB stock checkered and a recoil pad added. Also has a big checkered beavertail forearm on it. The cream on top is the weaver choke screwed on the end of the flaming bomb marked barrel. This gun was very cool in the early 50's. Who would've thought what a treasure it would be now? The other is a bring back K98 mauser 1937 with waffen's. I won't bore you with how bad it got chopped. Thimk
    " Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects" Will Rogers
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  • docsamadocsama Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are going the full bore route with new bbl in a different caliber buy one of the Turkish Mausers for 40 bucks. If you like 8mm stay with the military bbl (if it shoots) and go from there. I have a 1908 M98 Oberndorf in 7X57 that I have used for years to take a truck load of deer. Email me for a smith that does fine work for very reasonable fees. Example: forge bolt, mill and polish for $24.50. Docsama@cox-internet.com
    Doctor Sam
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  • bartobarto Member Posts: 4,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    to me this is like having a 33 ford & wanting a street rod but buying a 2002 taurus because you dont want to screw up a piece of history or because it would cost to much.
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