Mauser 24/47 Project Dreams... Suggestions Welcome.

[CMBTshooter]

My buddy gave me an M24/47 Mauser right before I moved to California. I'm a huge fan of .30 caliber rifles so I don't have to buy bullets in multiple calibers so I decided that the 8mm may not be right for me. I was originally thinking of a .30-06 as that would bridge the gap in between the .308 Win and the .300 Win Mag but now I'm thinking of going in a completely different direction.

Here is what I have in mind so far:
.358 Winchester or .35 Whelen (Leaning more towards the .358 because I'd like my wife to be able to shoot while standing and she's pretty small)
20 inch barrel with a heavier contour
Walnut stock
Timney trigger

The bolt is what I'm having problems with. It currently has the flat bolt and the awkward three position safety. Does anyone know of any suitable bolt replacements or upgrades? Also since this is my first build any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Question on terminology: when you say "flat bolt", do you mean straight, not bent downward bolt or do you mean spoon handle bolt like on commercial Mannlichers? I assume that you mean straight bolt?

You can buy a Gentry 3-position Model 70 type safety and bolt shroud for $179. at MidwayUSA. There is a cheaper conversion kit for a single sided Mauser replacement safety for $40 at Brownell's. Plus, the expense of welding a new bolt handle onto the bolt body to clear a medium scope mount. Everybody has different ideas on what a project means to them in terms of cost. A new bolt with correct handle and sliding safety will be over $300 unless you can find a used one.

My early, military Mausers conversions were safety, bolt handle weld and commercial stock only. It depends with me on how well made the action is. If is equivalent to a commercial Oberndorf Mauser in workmanship, I would spend some money on it. Czech 24 actions vary a lot in quality, depending on when it was made and at what armory. Have someone check action locking groove and bolt lug hardness too.

 

[Guest]

And, for the record, don't discount the 8x57 as a great cartridge for your wife, either. I have a Remington 700 and bullet selection is pretty good (not as good as .308cal, but nothing is). You can get 125, 150, 170, 175, 180, 185, 195, 196, 200, and 220gr bullets for that bore if it's .323cal. You may want to have the bore slugged to be sure, though, because if it's .318cal, you'll want to swap it out for sure. The 8x57 will do anything the 308 or 30-06 will do, and if it's in good shape, it would certainly be cheaper in the short run to use the existing barrel.

 

[bullet]

+ONE on what dubyam said