Gun Mystery/History

This is the missing link between old bolt action and modern military and sporting rifles.

[@sirgalahad3574]

I know just that store. There is a unique small rural gun store I frequent. They carry the most fascinating guns. I've adopted a few.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

The gun chooses you!😉

[@Leonardokite]

Fascinating story Max! Thanks for sharing....... except it took you EIGHT YEARS!!!!!!! That was an awesome find. Like an old car in a barn 😀🧐

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Yeah. But it’s just been in the last two years that I found rounds to fire from it!😉

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

I have lots of stories to tell. So many guns…. So little time

[@Leonardokite]

@@MaxHeadspace9mm Always love your stories! (and your guns 🙂)

[@legarmaniac402]

So very cool! Nice find! It's so cool that you found rounds for it!

[@MrBrad777c]

Von Manlicker.....that sounds like something out of a James Bond movie! Love the gun btw. I would have paid 150 for a wallhanger alone....its beautiful.

[@MrBrad777c]

These are selling on gunbroker for 400 and up....mainly up. Steal of a deal brother! Can't wait to see some shooting footage of her.

[@MrBrad777c]

Love the way that bolt action works.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Brad C Yeah. I think I was lucky because it was hard for the seller to ID. Even luckier that it turned out to be chambered for a cartridge that is a real scientific breakthrough in modern times. It’s a heavy hitter! A box of 20 for this cost me $32 and that’s kind of high but if it were for any of the original chamberings it would be much higher. Plus I just love the action and the look. Always great to talk with you Brad and share your love of firearms!😉

[@MrBrad777c]

@@MaxHeadspace9mm Oh for sure thats why the price. When I go to live gun auctions the normal hunting rifles and AR15s sell often above retail.....but obscure military guns is what I mainly purchase. I've made a lot of money off those. My favorite was a Japanese Arisaka 99 WITHOUT the lotus flower marked out. When captured it was a dishonor to the Emperor not to file off the flower. Sadly I dont think I reviewed that gun because it was such a quick turn around on the sell. I only paid like 125 or 150 for it. It had all Japanese writing and no one knew what it was including me....but I took a shot at it.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Brad C So here’s a story about one that got away- I was at an estate auction and there were guns there. Some really beat up stuff wen way over priced. They saved the vest for last and it was two John Wayne collectors edition lever action 30/30’s. Never been fired in the original boxes perfect condition adjacent serial #’s. The pair sold for $300 because almost everyone had left disgusted at how high the bidding was going! I didn’t have the money at the time but those would be worth well over $3,000 today.

[@ronaldcolman6211]

You never told us what it's chambered for. Neat rifle.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Well that was a long mystery to solve. It’s engraved 8x50 and the original military rifle used that cartridge. So I got a couple from a friend but they didn’t chamber. So my research revealed that when the Germans conquered Hungary they captured a large number of these rifles and were so impressed with them that they rechambered them in 8x56 because they had a lot of that ammo on hand. I had a reloader I know make me some of that but it would not chamber either! So that’s when I made the cast of the chamber and found it was a real oddball. Another friend found a cartridge that matched all the specs of my chamber and I ordered 5 boxes of that ammo and it works perfectly. It basically is a souped up 30/30 with an 8mm spritzer projectile that is 200 grains heavier than the usual 30 caliber bullet. It also travels 200 fps faster than the 30/30. How do they accomplish this? They use a blend of pistol and rifle powders that really let this heavy bullet fly. So needless to say, it’s a pretty sweet shooter that is also a very heavy hitter.

[@ronaldcolman6211]

@@MaxHeadspace9mm So, it's not any off the shelf chambering? You make it sound like its a modified (trimmed?) 30/30 case with some hot powder. Those five boxes were all custom?

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Ronald Colman It’s called Hornady Leverevolution. And basically it is a mass produced custom round. It uses the rimmed 30/30 as a parent Case but they flare the neck to accept an 8mm bullet. The box explains that to get higher velocity they use a blend of rifle and pistol powder and it really is amazing. I don’t know much other than that but they still make the stuff because there is a market for it. And I can see why. It’s a really remarkable round. And gunpowder has been developed to a much higher degree than what they used 100+ years ago. So as long as it’s safe, why not capitalize on better performance?

[@ronaldcolman6211]

@@MaxHeadspace9mm so there isn't a specific cartridge designation? like ".30 fireball" or somesuch.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

Ronald Colman Basically it’s an 8mm 30/30 with hot powder. Kind of a mongrel. Here’s a really informative link www.hornady.com/ammunition/leverevolution#!/

[@anonymousf454]

Awesome score! What gun store did you find this rifle?

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

I hate to say this but I found it at Cabelas back when they were a decent store for gun lovers. Those days are long gone.

[@robertelmo7736]

Good grief man what caliber is it? Aren't you a gun guy? The caliber name should be on the box, "Leverevolution" is a brand name for the ammo and comes in multiple calibers. Jeez.

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

It’s the 8 millimeter variety.