Large Ring Mauser Donor Rifle Advice Needed

[8mm Enthusiast]

I have a Brazilian M1908 large ring pre war Mauser that has a worn and corroded barrel, corroded bottom metal/trigger guard, but the receiver and bolt are in very good condition and operate very smoothly. I have shot this rifle and it does not do well with high BC monolithic bullets. Every other shot ends up being a flyer. This is understandable as the long boattails are likely not engaging properly with the deep chamber and worn rifling. To get acceptable accuracy, I sourced some long and fat round nosed 7mm bullets that I plan on reloading for this rifle however along the way I also found another Brazilian M1908 in excellent all matching condition with the engravings on the wood visible and a pristine bore.

I'll likely reload for and use the clean rifle lightly but have no use for the more worn rifle so I was thinking of using the receiver and bolt for a custom rifle.

I'd like to get a custom 308 Norma Magnum built but have no experience with custom rifles. Will the M1908 that I have be a good donor rifle? I know the bolt face will need to be opened up and I'd like a slightly longer than standard spec magazine as I only shoot all copper bullets and want to avoid single feeding.

Any advise on price and practicality would be appreciated. The 308 Norma Mags that occasionally pop up on Gunbroker seem to be overpriced.

Thanks.