Re: Rebarrelling am 8mm large ring Mauser???
Wow!
I'll go completely against this crowd of naysayers. You can build a pretty nice rifle the way you want it using a Mauser action. Get a good action to start with. You sound like you already have an action. I would say for historic purposes, don't modify it if it is complete. Just shoot it that way. And, then go buy yourself the rifle you want. FWIW, if you are just looking to save money, there is a standing auction on AA for a Wby Vanguard in .257 Wby. IMO that is a better action than the standard Weatherby. They use two lugs instead of 8 in a double row and are much easier to true up.
Again, I think it's worth it if it's what you want. The Mauser is a great action. Even though they are supposed to feed from the magazine, and control the round completely during feeding it will pop over the rim and feed if necessary. Mausers understand force.
All that said here's a breakdown of how much it's going to cost you to build a rifle from a Mauser:
Action: if you don't already own one $100-$200
New barrel: $100 for good used or up to $350 for premium
New stock: $260 from Midway or brownells for a decent composite stock. otherwise you can get a shootable composite for around $100. If it's a hunting rifle or something of that nature you can look at Richards microfit stocks or Boyds stocks,
www.rifle-stocks.com,
www.boydsgunstocks.com or you can do a search and find more stocks, composite, laminate or solid wood. Solid wood and laminate are easier for you to finish out.
Trigger: You can go timney tactical/target or hunter, Boyds also has triggers and Jewell makes a good one. $50-$200.
For a good shooter all you need to do is glass bed a laminate that you like and seal it and it'll stay nearly as good as the better composite stocks.
Gunsmithing: Here's where it adds up or you can cut down. Anytime he works on your stock it'll get pricey. But if you give him the metal work he may tell you what you need to do to your stock to make it work better. You can glass bed any solid wood or laminate, even a composite. Shaving the stock down and finish inletting takes a little patience but you can do that. Don't do that with a composite unless you know what you're doing.
Chambering/re-barreling- $50-$100 for the chamber and another $100 to install and headspace the barrel. It is also very wise at this time to spend another $100 to have him true the action.
bending/replacing the bolt handle: new handle- $10-$100 Bending or welding a new one on- $50
Installing trigger: You can do this. But if you don't trust yourself it will cost you $20 for a drop in to install and set it. Some guys charge more.
Drill and tap for scope: either $100 total or $25 per hole. You can do this yourself with a jig and save some money and own the jig when you're done. Again, have patience and check yourself before you drill. The jig, if installed right will align you with the action and keep the bit straight while drilling the hole.
Edit: forgot the safety. You can get a trigger safety for no extra money to $10 extra. Or you can spend up to $160 for a 3 position Winchester style safety. There are also a couple of makers that make a 2 position side safety. One thing I would avoid is the Buehler type safety. That's the one with the longer thinner arm that simply replaces the Mauser safety. My problem with them is they are too easy to bump off safe.
And that's about it. As you can see, if you just want a .257 Wby (which any M98 action will handle easily) it isn't cost effective. But, if you are looking for a custom rifle for yourself it is a great way to go. I have a 7x57 I customized this way. Including the scope I have $1400 into it. It shoots lights out, feeds great and fits me well. And to those who say the Mauser days are over don't know what they are talking about.