The barrel looks really clean and overall the gun is in good shape. This guy bought it from him for his kids but his kids didn't like it because the wood stock was too heavy. The guy I bought it from said his brother had it custom built several years ago and only used it for 2 years then had problems of some sort and couldn't hunt anymore. We don't have a lot of variety here locally as far as ammo goes but I bought a box of Federal's Fusion ammo in 120 grain. I'd been wanting a good rifle to shoot coyotes with anyway. I usually bow hunt but thats not easy with a 5 and 7 year old along so I thought we'd give rifle hunting a try this year. I bought it so I could take my kids elk hunting with me this year and it starts in a couple of weeks. I actually went out and did just that last night. I would shoot the gun with some good quality ammo before doing anything to it. My best shooting rifle is built on an FN Mauser action. My next rifle will be topped with a Nightforce w/ turrets. I think if you stretch out to 1k turrets are the way to go. Its just my opinion, but I believe reticle drops work well 3-700 yards. Zeiss also makes a reasonalbe priced turret option scope. Vortex makes some now, as well as Leupold tooįor a budget scope, I just ordered a vortex target dot reticle in a 6.5-20x50 that I'm gonna have turrets put on for a buddies rig. THe 1' tubes were relativley cheap a while back (400 less than what I paid)įor turret options, look at Kenton industries. I prefer the BR retice, but they want close to $300 to change it. Everybody who I know who has had a Shepard switches to the Swaro BR if they want a drop reticle. The Shepards do work well, but i'm not a huge fan. I'm not much help with the mauser actions but have spent some time behind scopes. I know two guys who shoot the Shepards and swear by them. I've been looking at the Shepard scopes, as well as various turret scopes trying to figure out which would be the best route. I'll be on a budget but want to have a reliable gun I can reach out to 800-1000 yards to knock over the local coyotes as well as trying some out of state rifle hunts for deer and elk. So where would you start? Or is there a good gunsmith that you know of that could be of help. I know, both extreems! I either want to be close enough to touch them or be able to really reach out and touch them. I'm mainly a traditional bowhunter but have been wanting to get into long range shooting.

My dad's friend is now gone, so I can't hit him up for ideas so I thought I'd ask around. Last month I saw a 25-06 for sale that was built on a Mauser action for a pretty good price so I grabbed it. He had a few guns built that were tackdrivers! I guess those memories stuck. As a kid I my dad had a friend/gunsmith that swore by the Mauser actions.

K98 mauser for sale utah