I have a Mauser 98 action. My question is: opinions on suitability for building a 6.5 284. Any input is appreciated. Thanks
Mauser 98
- Thread starter X Ring Accuracy
- Start date
One of my relatives has a custom 6.5 x .284 on a MK X Mauser action. A little work on the extractor to fit in the extraction groove better, but other than that, no problems. I have shot a couple of Mauser actioned rifles that were under 1/2 moa. Pick a 'smith that knows Mausers and you're in business.
Tom
Tom
Thanks Tom
My shooting partner and I have 3 Mauser 98 actions and really like them 243, 257ai, And 6.5x284 which is a real shooter The Mauser 98 works great the only incident was the 284 case is larger then some and the feed ramp in the action needed real slight filing to accommodate the shoulder of the shell and now works like a charm! If you have any more questions about it let me know just went through the process with the mauser98 and the 6.5x284 about 3 months ago and it shoots .5 MOA
Shaun
Shaun
Key -
Howdy !
For what it's worth....
My first custom bolt guns were 'smithed by Fred Sinclair.
Fred was reknowned for great metal work/machining practices; and held a few world records for small groups.
Fred could allow himslef to be picy on what work he took on.
He flat-_ _ _ refused to what would be called ' accuracy work '
on a M-98. Ditto for Ruger M-77s.... which he called
' a Mauser '. I won't argue accuracy with Mr. Sinclair.
Fred could be talked into doing a simple re-barrel of a Mauser, yes... but no full-tilt accuracy rifle attempts.
He felt the M-98 and it's ilk lacked adequate design features; and serious accuracy work attemps with them was pointless.
Use of M-98s for hyper-accurate rifles went out in the 60's.
I been there. I've done that...including M-77 re-bop.
Sinclair talked me into $$$ for a custom Wichita WBR1375
SS action; and I've never looked back. My custom accuracy rilfes ' shoot ', and that's the whole point of the exercise.
To paraphrase an old saying....
' Accuracy costs money. ... How accurate do YOU want to be ? '
Save you M-98 for things it does best.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Regards,
357Mag
Howdy !
For what it's worth....
My first custom bolt guns were 'smithed by Fred Sinclair.
Fred was reknowned for great metal work/machining practices; and held a few world records for small groups.
Fred could allow himslef to be picy on what work he took on.
He flat-_ _ _ refused to what would be called ' accuracy work '
on a M-98. Ditto for Ruger M-77s.... which he called
' a Mauser '. I won't argue accuracy with Mr. Sinclair.
Fred could be talked into doing a simple re-barrel of a Mauser, yes... but no full-tilt accuracy rifle attempts.
He felt the M-98 and it's ilk lacked adequate design features; and serious accuracy work attemps with them was pointless.
Use of M-98s for hyper-accurate rifles went out in the 60's.
I been there. I've done that...including M-77 re-bop.
Sinclair talked me into $$$ for a custom Wichita WBR1375
SS action; and I've never looked back. My custom accuracy rilfes ' shoot ', and that's the whole point of the exercise.
To paraphrase an old saying....
' Accuracy costs money. ... How accurate do YOU want to be ? '
Save you M-98 for things it does best.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Regards,
357Mag
Thanks for the replies,
I am sorta torn between leaving the rifle as is or trying to make it a shooter. I know 98's are what other rifles used to be measured against and this one shoots well. I guess part of my question was ...is the 98 worth making a .5 moa or better gun or just leaving as is and building off of another action. I have plenty of rem 700 actions, a lawton action, some mcmillan actions, a stiller, a surgeon, etc. Don't want to spend a fortune on it but also hate seeing it sit in the safe when I can grab a different rifle and shoot x's all day. This is killing me....LOL. Thanks again for the input.
I am sorta torn between leaving the rifle as is or trying to make it a shooter. I know 98's are what other rifles used to be measured against and this one shoots well. I guess part of my question was ...is the 98 worth making a .5 moa or better gun or just leaving as is and building off of another action. I have plenty of rem 700 actions, a lawton action, some mcmillan actions, a stiller, a surgeon, etc. Don't want to spend a fortune on it but also hate seeing it sit in the safe when I can grab a different rifle and shoot x's all day. This is killing me....LOL. Thanks again for the input.
keydiverfla: Probably will raise some arguments from those who have used them for 'accuracy',gotta define the level expected), and are happy with their results. I worked with an 03-A3,about as close to a Mauser as you can get), that I had 'sporterized' by a professional g'smith in 1972. Had Douglas, Shilen and Krieger barrels on that receiver, in 30-06, 243, and 250 Savage, and was never once able to get consistant 5 shot m.o.a. groups. Finally gave up on it and sold it on this site as a 'project rifle', barrel replacement req'd. Every experienced, knowledgable person advised me against trying to get accuracy, my requirement for the type is consistant under moa w/ 5 shots), but I would not listen to their advice. The really looooong lock time is only one of the problems: have built on 5 Rem.700 receivers,blueprinted), and never looked back. Just my hard learned and $$$$$ experience.
You'll get different opinions because of different anecdotal experiences. Do you WANT to use the mauser action? Do you LIKE the mauser action? Some will tell you it's a waste of time because they either can't be accurized or it's too iffy or not cost effective. Some will tell you that in their experience they make fine and accurate shooters when done right [any build on any action needs done right to shoot accurately, say at least 1/2 moa]. The key is to find a smith who likes to build accurate rifles on any action or one who likes/loves to build accurate mauser actioned shooters. It can certainly be done by that kind of smith.
Wyo
Wyo
WOW. Thanks again for the replies. I understand that any action needs a good smith to make it work. Any ideas on a Mauser smith? In all honesty I DO want the rifle to shoot well. Like I said, I really hate passing it up every weekend for a rifle that out shoots it and yes, I am becoming anal on accuracy, LOL. The rifle was handed to me by my father and it has shot its quota of deer, but I would like it to shoot better. If it is a money pit then I prefer to leave it. So if any one knows of a special Mauser smith I am all ears. If a different spring was used would lock time be faster or is that not possible? I know building a rem, stiller, BAT, surgeon, etc actions is simpler based on their maunfacturing and design so I don't want to build on an unbuildable action. Typically I want to shoot 4' claybirds at 600 and keep it on the gong at 1000 like other rifles I have. Am I dreaming? Thanks again.
there are good mausers and bad.there are good 1903s and better 1903s.im not biased i swear 
.when i was 14 i got a sporterized 98 from my grampa.the action was as tight as could be and the balance was just right.it had a older bushnell 4x scope and it shot .5-.75 moa@ 100yds.I have another k-98 that is sloppy as all get out.
2 years ago i had a 1903 built into a 25-06.I dont reload for it but it gets .5moa@ 100 if i do my part.
people telling you that they dont shoot havent shot them much or at all.they all have lemons.i have 1 lemon but owned and shot some 98s and 1903s that are fine shooters.your not going to get bench gun accuracy but if its a better action made tight it will make a good big game or varmint gun.
just my 2 cents plus a quarter.
.when i was 14 i got a sporterized 98 from my grampa.the action was as tight as could be and the balance was just right.it had a older bushnell 4x scope and it shot .5-.75 moa@ 100yds.I have another k-98 that is sloppy as all get out.2 years ago i had a 1903 built into a 25-06.I dont reload for it but it gets .5moa@ 100 if i do my part.
people telling you that they dont shoot havent shot them much or at all.they all have lemons.i have 1 lemon but owned and shot some 98s and 1903s that are fine shooters.your not going to get bench gun accuracy but if its a better action made tight it will make a good big game or varmint gun.
just my 2 cents plus a quarter.
OK, Good, Bad, or worse I am holding none of you guys accountable. I am going for it and like I said, I hate passing her by every weekend. Wish me luck unless you know of a competent Mauser smith, otherwise I will be at the mercy of the wolves.
Good I'm glad you decided to build the Mauser! Just got back from the range with my buddy and his 6.5-284 Mauser 98 was pulling under 3/4 inch at 200 we are competing next Saturday at our first 600 yard f class match. His best group so far was 3.5 inch at 600 yards. If you do a little research of your local smiths you can get a good idea of which one to go with or get down to your local range and ask some people! Any good smith that does good work can make it shoot great for you, Just make sure you spend the little extra for a good barrel, bedding and truing of the action. Might not shoot 1 inch at a 1000 yards but who does? I'm sure you will enjoy this rifle and it will shoot great!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Shaun White
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Shaun White
I have a 1/2 MOA 30-06 that my dad and I built a few years ago. It was the first one we did and went through several iterations of upgrades before we got it from a 1' to a 1/2' rifle.
He's pretty good at it now, he's got a 308 and a 22-250 that he built for himself on Ankara actions,turk mausers). The rifles that are the easiest to keep tight and make shoot right away are BRNO or Czech or,Heaven forbid you change one) a true GEW k98. I think he's built about 25 of them total, some as simple as a caliber change with a new barrel, to a polished, accurized 308 that ends up shooting around 1/2' @ 100 with decent hand loads.
You won't be sorry with the rifle if you get a competent guy who knows mausers. I know I have no reputation on here, I've only been a lurker for a few months, but email me if you have questions. I just got a 22-284 reamer yesterday because I'm doing the exact same thing as you.
From what I've seen it won't beat a Surgeon, it won't beat a Stiller, but it's not 1300 bucks for an action either. If you want his email address I can send it along too, he has pictures of his 308 handy probably.
He's pretty good at it now, he's got a 308 and a 22-250 that he built for himself on Ankara actions,turk mausers). The rifles that are the easiest to keep tight and make shoot right away are BRNO or Czech or,Heaven forbid you change one) a true GEW k98. I think he's built about 25 of them total, some as simple as a caliber change with a new barrel, to a polished, accurized 308 that ends up shooting around 1/2' @ 100 with decent hand loads.
You won't be sorry with the rifle if you get a competent guy who knows mausers. I know I have no reputation on here, I've only been a lurker for a few months, but email me if you have questions. I just got a 22-284 reamer yesterday because I'm doing the exact same thing as you.
From what I've seen it won't beat a Surgeon, it won't beat a Stiller, but it's not 1300 bucks for an action either. If you want his email address I can send it along too, he has pictures of his 308 handy probably.
LOL, Yes, a shorter lock time on the pin!
I just caught up with this post....I like smithing Mauser actions, yes I agree they will not compete with the high dollar bench/match rigs however we are talking about a total investment of lets say $800.00 including high end optics 'Leupold'. I have smithed a 22-250 and am currently building a 6mm-284 both on M98 actions, also a 6.5x55 Ackley Improved and 22BR both built on M96 actions. If you do your part these rigs will shoot in the .5'S easy and even better when I am doing things right.
These actions are affordable and have accuracy potential, although I will mention I spend way to much time maching the metal on the mill to change contours to improve the feel and appearance. Go ahead and smith the M98 and enjoy the build...
These actions are affordable and have accuracy potential, although I will mention I spend way to much time maching the metal on the mill to change contours to improve the feel and appearance. Go ahead and smith the M98 and enjoy the build...
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