I have a couple Gustav's one full military and the other a sporter with a poor polishing job and a cut down military stock. The bore on the sporter is very good and it shoots like a champ. From what I'v read the Gustav model 96's are supposed to be of better quality steel than the 96's contractad for in Germany. They are concidered the strongest of all the small ring mausers. If its a nicely done sporter job it should be worth it. On the subject of the 6.5x55 if the bore is good it is a most awsome cartrage in its own right. Just my .02 cents.