Mauser Model 2000 7x64 Brenneke

[sestoppelman]

Just got this home. These were made by Heym for Mauser from about 1969-71 or 72 in various calibers. Its a push feed action. I wasn't really familiar with these so when it popped up on Gunbroker under 7x64 I got interested and did a little research and decided it ought it to pay a visit! Scoped it today with cheap Weaver mounts and a cheap Bushnell to see if it shoots. If it does I have better optics for it off another 7x64 that will likely get sold if I like this one. It fits me real well, has a long LOP of 14 3/8ths inches, bore shines, action is smooth and functions as it should. I love the Mauser markings, even though Heym made it.

 

[enysse]

Other than a decent recoil pad it looks dreamy, congrats!

 

[sestoppelman]

Thanks Eric, Yeah I probably wont pad it because it would mean cutting the stock of course and the butt plate is marked Mauser, which is kinda neat. 7x64 doesn't have much recoil anyway, bout like a .270 Win. I will probably shoot it next week and will update.

 

[Red Leg]

I love the 7x64. Have a pre-war mauser that is a MOA rifle. Looks like a keeper - though were it mine, I might find a stock man who could rid me of those white line spacers.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Looks great Scott, let us know how it shoots.

 

[sestoppelman]

I love the 7x64. Have a pre-war mauser that is a MOA rifle. Looks like a keeper - though were it mine, I might find a stock man who could rid me of those white line spacers.

Funny thing about those. The one up front is not a spacer but a groove in the wood, filled with white plastic! I don't usually like them either and have been known to remove them if its easy. I can live with these for now at least. If its not a good shooter it wont matter.

 

[Royal27]

I like.... it just has a sleek look to it. Cant wait to hear how it shoots.

 

[Steve Steyr]

Nice rifle. I was bidding on this but had to be out of town and didn't get back in time to rebid. Glad you were able to get it. These are reputed to be very nice rifles and, of course, the Mauser Banner has a certain panache that always makes one feel good. I agree on leaving the original Mauser buttplate in place. 7x64 recoil is not that ferocious and, if the stock fits you without coming up under your cheekbone, there should be no great discomfort in shooting.
I have a Ruger 77RS and a Mannlicher-Schoenauer GK in 7x64. The Ruger originally shot <1" with Remington 175 grain and Norma 170 grain factory loads. Then the stock split and Ruger restocked it free of charge. The thing is, my 7x64's has a wider barrel than the replacement stock's channel so the barrel was really jammed in and accuracy was awful. I had the barrel channel hogged out but accuracy, as it was originally, has eluded all my efforts so far.
I don't shoot the Mannlicher-Schoenauer much but plan to work with when I get the time, whenever that might be.
Please keep us posted on how your nice Mauser 2000 shoots.
Steve Steyr

 

[sestoppelman]

Hi Steve, Its seems like a pretty neat rifle but of course pretty is as pretty does, we'll see. It would not surprise me if it needed bedding and barrel floating but I like to shoot a rifle first before getting into that. I too had the Ruger 77 in this cal and it shot quite well after bedding and floating. Also had the stock develop a crack in the web ahead of the trigger, not much wood there. Did it twice. I made the repairs myself and it continued to shoot well but sold it eventually like most everything else. I currently have a Steyr M Professional in this cal also, with sights and brown stock, double triggers. It shoots very well but if this Mauser shoots that well its going to be tough to see which one goes down the road.

 

[Velo Dog]

Sestoppelman,

The 7x64 Brenneke is one of my favorites.
I have heard it referred to - tongue in cheek - as the "7x57 Magnum".
As for the Heym/Mauser rifle, I have looked at those, a couple times, when I worked part time in a Gunshop.

They appear very well made for sure.
Some folks like to whimper about push feed rifles but I am not one of them, even though I prefer CRF somewhat.
I agree that for DG, the CRF is preferable but, not totally required for clients (since the PH will always be heavily armed when guiding on DG).
At least that's my opinion but, since the 7x64 is not for DG, this is a pointless point.
Besides, properly made and well tested push feed rifles are probably plenty reliable anyway.

In terms of Namibia, or South Africa's Eastern Cape and/or their Highveld, a 7x64 /150 to 160 gr bonded core spitzer / proper scope would, in my opinion be an excellent combination for 99% of the PG species.
Since I don't own a 7x64 (at the moment), I will live live vicariously through your experiences with your new Heym/Mauser.

Cheers,
Velo Dog

 

[Steve Steyr]

Hello AH Legend,

Interesting-my Ruger 77RS started to crack, right side, from right above the trigger heading back diagonally. Sounds like the same as yours. I think the next step is to glass bed it and free-float. First I will try my trick of putting one or two thicknesses of credit card between the recoil lug and the stock. It usually works like a charm.

 

[bassasdaindia]

7x64 is a great caliber for PG in South Africa , IMHO I prefer it to my 30-06

 

[Steve Steyr]

Not trying to hikack this thread but I have a question for all PH's and others who have shot a lot of PG.
I have read there is no real apparent difference in effectiveness, with proper shot placement and a decent bullet, between a 7x57, 7x64, 6.5x55, 30/06, 300 Win Mag, 300 H&H, 300 Weatherby, and other cartridges in this class. Does your experience confirm this?

 

[enysse]

To your answer Steve "NO". I think there is a definite difference, especially with the larger animals. A 300 Win Mag is a lot more lethal than a 6.5x55 or 7x57. But with that being said if you get the bullet in the right place, the animal will die or you will get a chance at a follow up shot. And an excited animal is a lot harder to bring down, than a animal that doesn't know your presence. And I definitely would not try driving a bullet through the front shoulder with a smaller caliber, you may end up with a wounded animal you will never find.

 

[Steve Steyr]

Enysse,
Thank you for your thoughts on this. Wouldn't it be great if we could truly define what constitutes "killing power"? On another AH thread I posted a November, 1932 Western Ammunition ad. It shows a 18 year-old girl who, hunting with her father on Spitzbergen Island, killed 2 large polar bears with one shot each from her Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903 6.5x54 Carbine and Western ammo. Only @1600 fpe but those little 160 grain "pencils" will penetrate through about anything.

 

[enysse]

Well my guide in the Northwest Territories hunted everything with a .223 including polar bear, but then again he wasn't paying much to hunt. You can hunt with a 7x57 or 6.5x55, but you will have to pick your shots. I can personally tell you a waterbuck, oryx, wildebeest, eland, kudu shoulder is something you want to avoid....it will lead to

Anything 30/06 and above with premium bullet will work, but I still would be careful of that shoulder. A lot of animals, when alerted want to turn towards you to see what everyone is looking at.

 

[sestoppelman]

Not trying to hikack this thread but I have a question for all PH's and others who have shot a lot of PG.
I have read there is no real apparent difference in effectiveness, with proper shot placement and a decent bullet, between a 7x57, 7x64, 6.5x55, 30/06, 300 Win Mag, 300 H&H, 300 Weatherby, and other cartridges in this class. Does your experience confirm this?

Not a PH either , but I have read similar things over the years. I think if you kick the mags off that list, its pretty much true, as long as good bullets and shot placement are there, and each round is at or near full potential. A friend took a .308 AND an '06 to RSA and took game with both. Said he could not tell any difference between the two in killing power. I know, I would not have done that either but...

 

[Rob404]

Just Put a Slip on Limbsaver on it,

 

[sestoppelman]

Just Put a Slip on Limbsaver on it,

Wont need it. If it slaps me around too much, I can always put a PAST recoil shield on, but I doubt I need it for this rifle.

 

[Mannlicher]

This is my Mannlicher Schoenauer , Mod GK from 1963 in 7x64, BOEHLER Antinit - Barrel, Hensoldt Diasta 4x32 on Steyr-Pivot -Montage ...

Mannlicher