Mauser M12 extreme solid

I have to say when Mauser decided to launch a fixed barrel rifle a few years ago I was most impressed with the result - the M12. At the time I assumed it would just be an M03 with its barrel permanently in place. Much like Strasser did with their RS-05 Solo straight-pull, leaving the gun identical to their switch barrel original, which would seem logical! But no; the M12 offers a far more conventional package that did include some M03 features but not that many. Gone was the de-cocker to be replaced by an SRS, 3-position safety mounted on the top of the bolt shroud much like the Heym SR21. Simple and reassuringly familiar to most British shooters! The magazine was similar being a 5-shot unit in standard calibres (4 in Magnum) with a release button at the front; say one thing about Mauser they know how to make a rifle! They also retained the massive and near ambidextrous ejection port; a feature I praise on my M03.

BRIDGES

They also went the traditional Mauser route on the receiver as it has a high bridge at the front and a low one at the rear and is simply drilled and tapped for M98-style bases, so no expensive and dedicated QD scope base to fork out for. They retained the long, straight bolt handle with its large ball end and also the 6-lug lock up that gives a pleasingly short lift angle, they fit twin, plunger-type ejectors. The stock looks classic with a tapering forend that boxes around the action and feeds into a simple, low-combed butt, long, Prince of Wales grip and recoil pad. Stock options were just a synthetic (Extreme) unit in grey like the M03, with impressed gripping panels rather than rubber inserts and a Grade 1 walnut, which was a bit lack lustre.

The receiver is long action only, which means they just have to make one length and take up cartridge overall length with a magazine filler. The light/medium barrel is 22” long, which is OK for some of the standard calibres that includes – 22-250 Rem, 243 Win, 6,5x55 SE,270 Win, 7x64, 308 Win,30-06 Spring, 8x57 IS and 9,3x62 but a bit short for others. The magnum version only offers - 7 mm Rem Mag, 300 and 338 Win Mag, but gives an extra 2” of tube though you lose 1-round in capacity; no big deal! Overall a pleasing design. Compared to my M03 the M12 is lighter and certainly cheaper which are definite plus points!

NEW FOR 2015

At IWA this year I was shown two new updates for the M12, a Grade II timber option; nice but well it’s wood, more to my liking was a Solid barrel option. I have one on my M03, it’s 21.5” 8.5x63 tube is considerably heavier in diameter at 19mm so making it more stable and a tad more recoil-friendly. However, the M12’s is shorter at 20” which to my mind is a mixed blessing given the calibre. The Solid is offered in the following - .243 Win, .308 Win, 30-06, 8 x 57 IS, and 9.3 x 62. Undoubtedly handy but from my experience you will also lose some velocity, with the exception being the 308 as that has a higher tolerance to shorter tubes. For example I would put money on the fact the 243 would struggle to make 1700 ft/lbs with sub-100-grain bullets and it might even struggle with them! Shorter tubes handle well and look cool and in the case of the Solid you do not have any serious overheating and flexing issues. But all I’m saying is choose your calibre with care!

The M12 on test was an Extreme and came with scope mounts and a Zeiss Victory 3-12x56 HT scope; a great piece of glass! No iron sights are fitted but are available on request and at no extra cost according to the Mauser website. The stock showed the usual, fixed swivels front and rear along with a QD stud under the forend for a bipod; sensible. The barrel is threaded 17x1mm as standard with a protector. In its dark grey stock the rifle looks good and feels purposeful, it also handles beautifully as it’s just 40” long and weighs a shade over 7 lbs. That short, thick barrel can be driven fast in any direction but the added weight makes it stable too.

HANDS ON

The control layout and build are also conducive to easy operation. The bolt shows a large diameter body that just glides open and closed with no hesitation or stiffness. Equally the large bolt handle with its big ball end aids this operation as does its short lift angle. Feed is smooth and certain and ejection not an issue as the empties fly out of that large port powered by the twin plunger system. The safety offers three positions – forward FIRE, middle SAFE with bolt operation and rear SAFE bolt locked. It’s positioned a bit like the Win Model 70 and its drop-down lug is operated easily enough by the firing hand thumb with a little disturbance of the firing grip! At the rear of the shroud is a cocked action indicator pin; always a bonus!

Ammo consisted of Winchester, 150-grain Ballistic Silver Tip (BST) and just to see how it handled something heavier; Hornady 168-grain A-MAX. To its credit it shot very well at ½-1”with the A-MAX acing the Winchester on pure accuracy, but nothing outside the inch is a winner for me! However, the BST gets the nod as it’s an effective bullet and does not show a huge velocity loss. It would be a good round for all UK deer species and I’d take on boar with it too.

However, despite the heavier barrel it’s a typical 308 in that it’s barky! A moderator would certainly help here, or as I did with my M03’s Solid tube a muzzle brake! Calibre considerations aside I really like the M12 as a rifle in its own right and if I no longer had my M03 it’s the one I would choose to replace it with! Though I’d go for a 22” standard barrel in 308 Win (with iron sights) as that has a greater appeal due to its better ballistics with fewer penalties. If I went the magnum route it would be the 300 Win Mag, as that would make an awesome pig and plains game rifle!

PRICE: Mauser M12 Extreme Solid, £1420 Standard M12, £1222
CONTACT: Blaser Sporting Ltd, 020 7622 2116, www.blaser-sporting.com