Mauser M03 - 458 Lott

[swoobie]

The Mauser M03 is an ingenious piece of kit. Over engineered by Mauser, the original price point kept many buyers away, but the quality is clearly there. It's a full take-down system, a little different from Dakota in that the forearm is fixed, but the action/barrel integrity is very well engineered. Torx25 is required to remove the barrels and new barrels can be added. Mauser even built in cool functionality to provide a true one gun every situation - the bolt heads can be changed easily to allow for a different cartridge family. The biggest complaint I've seen on the M03 is weight - but that's certainly not an issue with this 458 Lott where a few extra ounces are something to be joyful about. This one weighs 8lbs, 13ozs on my scale and has a 26" barrel.

Other calibers that can fit with just a barrel change include: 270 WSM, 300 WSM, 7mm Rem, 300 WM, 300 Weatherby, 8mmx68, 338 WM, 375 H&H, 416 Rem. Having said that the barrels are difficult to find.

This is just the rifle, I do not have any extras with it, and it's priced accordingly. Amazing quality and engineering. $3495 plus shipping.

 

[V.Veritas]

Excellent rifle. Manual cooking. Safari contour barrel and locking magazine. It is one of the latest models.
Parts are very difficult to find right now.

If anyone is interested, Optics Trade still have in stock 3 different scope mounts for the M03: Swarovski and Zeiss rails and Dentler base.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I prefer the factory base, but the Dentler also works effectively, and there's also a pic rail available if you want to go that route.

 

['68boy]

did it sell? Curious....

 

[swoobie]

It's available

 

[Sandlapper]

I would like to throw my opinion into the ring on the Mauser M03 platform. I used the Mauser M03 chambered in 375 H&H magnum on my first Plains Game Safari back in 2012. With factory Federal Safari 300gr ammo and also with handloads using the Barnes 225gr TSX, the rifle shot like a laser. The two-bolt takedown system is simple and effective with the two takedown bolts even being retained within the stock when disassembled so one cannot inadvertently loose them. You can even lock the removable magazine in place, if desired.The factory scope mount system, of which I had two QD mounts for two different scopes, works flawlessly. Not a lightweight rifle by some standards but overall, a fine takedown rifle system of typical Mauser quality. I sold my M03 a dozen years ago and have regretted doing so ever sense. They are fine rifles and should be given serious consideration by anyone looking for a Top Shelf takedown rifle.

 

[lhook7]

I sold one of these in 300wm seven or eight years ago and am still kicking myself.

 

[Hunter4752001]

From all accounts a superb system. I'd buy one in a flash if the barrels, bolt heads, magazines, scope mounts etc were still readily available. For me the lure is the quality of the rifle, take down convienence for travel and the ability to have one rifle handling many calbres (a feature that can be important with several countries limiting the number of firearms an individual can own.)

Its a pity they don't re-release the model. Maybe update the receiver to take the same scope mount system used on the Blaser R8 and Sauer 505 (all one company). Increase supply and availability. I'm also wary of a company which brings out models for a very limited time and makes parts almost unobtainable within a couple of years of initial release.