Another vote for the razor. Great performance and the heavier non-E versions can be had used under $1k. I don’t know anything about the other scopes mentioned but I bet the razor can stack up against if not out perform most or all. Might as well add capability with that weight.
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That one is a 1640, which is a small-ring commercial Mauser based on the 1898. Husqvarna considers it an "improved" version but that's open to debate. I've owned several over the years and found them to be accurate, especially with bargain factory loads like the Remington CoreLokt, Winchester PowerPoint, and the Federal HiShok in both 150- and 180-grain weights. They're known to damage their stocks in recoil, usually by splitting the web. The tangs also weren't always relieved properly, so look for damage there. This is particularly common on guns they built for other brands like JC Higgins. Glass bedding should fix all of that. In 30-06, they have a 1:12 twist, which is a little too slow for 220-grain bullets but anything lighter should shoot well.
You can spot a 1640 by the tiny bolt stop on the left side of the action as shown here:
I've also owned a number of 640s, which are built on a commercial 98 Mauser actions made by FN in Belgium. Stocks are usually beech or birch, both of which are harder and somewhat heavier than walnut. All of the standard accuracy tricks for the 98 work with this one. The first thing to check is the action screw tension. Crank in the front one as tight as it will go with a screwdriver. Do the same thing to the back one, then back it out 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn. Adjusting the tension on the rear screw can change group size. Some of those shoot best when they're free floated, others seem to need a little bit of upward pressure from the stock. Glass bedding never hurts, either, but if you do that, then crank both screws in good and tight.
You can spot them by the massive Mauser bolt stop on the left side of the action as shown here:
Either should be a solid hunting rifle that will provide decades of service is the bore is any good. Scandinavians know how to build solid hunting rifles.
Okie John
“The reliability of the 30-06 on most of the world’s non-dangerous game is so well established as to be beyond intelligent dispute.” Finn Aagaard
"Don't fuck with it" seems to prevent the vast majority of reported issues." BehindBlueI's
Hey thanks! Mine is a 1640 then. I'll try action screw tension then, already glass bedded it. For sentimental reasons, I'd hate to have to get a new barrel. It's such a handy rifle. I had it Ceracoted it black last year, thinking it would be my coastal AK gun. But the accuracy just isn't cutting it right now.
A few questions:
What optic and loads are giving you 2 MOA?
Is the barrel free floated? Humidity can warp the stock enough to make it touch the barrel which can open up groups. Also, you should weatherproof the interior of the stock with something like Johnson's Paste Wax to be on the safe side.
How does the crown look? You might need to have a gunsmith clean this up if it's nicked or dinged.
When is the last time you cleaned the bore down to bare metal with something like Sweets? Those old rifles can hide a surprising amount of fouling.
What kind of trigger are you using? Some of the factory triggers are essentially a military k98 trigger and could use some love from a smith. If nothing else, it's easy to take them apart, clean them, and reassemble them, which can really help.
Have you rechecked the rings, bases, and mounts, and LocTited them in place? The 1640 is so light that those things shoot loose faster than they do on heavier rifles.
Also, the next time you take it out of the stick, use LocTite 243 on the screw that holds the ejector in place. An ounce of prevention and all that...
Okie John
“The reliability of the 30-06 on most of the world’s non-dangerous game is so well established as to be beyond intelligent dispute.” Finn Aagaard
"Don't fuck with it" seems to prevent the vast majority of reported issues." BehindBlueI's
Michael@massmeans.com | Zeleny@post.harvard.edu | westcoastguns@gmail.com | larvatus prodeo @ livejournal | +1-323-363-1860 | “If at first you don’t succeed, keep on sucking till you do succeed.” — Curly Howard, 1936 | “All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” — Samuel Beckett, 1984