So a month or so ago I took my 1941 swedish mauser 6.5X55 m38 to the range for some variety. I purchased it and 5 others about 15 years ago for 60 bucks a piece (sadly i was 18 and had no idea i should hold on to all of them....) I have looking at tons of 6.5 AR builds but it didn't occur to me until recently to just build on what I already have. While I know bore gauging is important before investing to much..I know at 500 yards im consistant on a bench open sights so im thinking i can skip this step. Any ways here is the poor mans sniper rifle build concept-
-6.5X55 mauser (there are several varieties but the best are m96 and m38 (some of the M38 are actually cut down M96's) 60$
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... BA&dur=226
-LER scout mount for M96/M38 25$
http://www.wayfair.com/Sun-Optics-Mause ... A0C85C8074
-New ergo stock 100$
http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/VT-MAUSER ... 10-470.htm
-scope of choice 105$
http://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-illu ... efr10.html
-reloading dies 34.25$
http://www.rrarms.com/lee-deluxe-rifle- ... auser.html
-Shipping about 100$
grand total for the poor mans starter kit- 424.25$
now the mauser prices are hovering about 250-400, if you already have a scope and stay with the original stock..still pretty cheep. I'll let you know how it turns out in a few weeks.