mauser action ? anyone useing.them?

[cjmac]

This is probably a crazy question but has anyone used a k98 to build a 6.5x55 or 7mm ? I just would like to build something on a mauser action if i could find one . Found a small ring 95 action but seems theres more parts available for the k98.

 

[WyleWD]

I've had a 220 Swift, a 30-06 & a 6.5-06 built on Mauser Actions. All were built on 98 actions. They make great hunting rifles. WD

 

[stool]

i have a 308 parker hale bbl'd 98

 

[cjmac]

So where would be a good place to find a k98? Im thinking of building a 6.5x55 or . Thats a really long action for a shorter round isn't it ? How would a shorter round feed in such a long action?

 

[Laurie]

That's a really long action for a shorter round isn't it ? How would a shorter round feed in such a long action?

No - 6.5X55mm isn't a short round. Its CIP nominal maximum COAL is 80mm (3.150"), too long for short action Remington 700s, Winchester 70s and suchlike.

The Model '98 Mauser action was designed around the 7.9X57mm Mauser and its 82mm COAL (3.250") and is ideal for similar cartridges of that era such as the 6.5X55mm and 7X57mm. It's a little too long for .308 Win and similar length numbers to always feed well through the magazine, but this can be easily corrected. .30-06 just fits the action and its magazine. Those countries which rebarreled military K98s to .30-06 M2 after the end of WW2 usually machined a small V-shape indentation into the rear edge of the front receiver ring so that bullet tips wouldn't snag that part of the action when being rammed into the magazine in fives from a stripper clip.

 

[WyleWD]

So where would be a good place to find a k98? Im thinking of building a 6.5x55 or . Thats a really long action for a shorter round isn't it ? How would a shorter round feed in such a long action?

I left finding an action to my gunsmith who built the rifle. The research that I did showed that there were some very good and very poor K-98's built. And it became mind numbing to look for one with all the right markings on them. That being said there were some very good commercial Mauser actions made after WWII and again, a gunsmith worth his salt will know where they are and where to get a good one. WD

 

[cjmac]

Well i get confused with all the different. Models but im always hearing that the k98 is the best to use. I found a small ring model 95 , just not how good thay are for im doing . Iv also found a few others made by arginine, spanish , someone else. Theres a k98 rifle or armslist for 250$ but i just need the action

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

pm sent

 

[treeman]

the Argentine makes the nicest hunting rifle with it's hinged floorplate

 

[benchracer]

The military '98 pattern mausers are cool and make great hunting rifles, as previously stated. I have built them into rifles in 6.5x55, 22-250, 7x57, and 338-06. However, there are some disadvantages to using a military action that you should be aware of. First among these, is that mauser prices are sky high right now for some reason. Just to get a decent action will cost nearly as much or more than a new production finished rifle. The military actions also require a lot of work to properly sporterize and their case hardened steel limits what can be done to accurize them. Plus, as you mentioned, you have to know what to look for in a military action.

Save yourself some time, money, and grief and buy a post WW2 commercial '98 action/rifle. Good examples of these are post war FN actions and Mark X's. If you shop carefully, you can get a good sporter '98 for around $400 to $450. I scored one with a magnum bolt face for $360 earlier this year. These rifles only need a custom barrel of your choice and basic truing of the bolt face, action face, and lapping of the locking lugs. All the other sporterized features are already present in the rifle as manufactured. You get modern steel in the bargain and better quality bottom metal.

 

[Laurie]

Well i get confused with all the different. Models but im always hearing that the k98 is the best to use. I found a small ring model 95 , just not how good thay are for im doing . Iv also found a few others made by arginine, spanish , someone else. Theres a k98 rifle or armslist for 250$ but i just need the action

It's not so much the model, but the maker and the manufacture date as the '98 action was made in a lot of countries - Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Czechoslovakia to name a few - and in a lot of different factories in those countries. They were also made in huge numbers during two world wars as well as under less stressful conditions in peacetime. Steel quality and build quality varied a lot, so gunsmiths regard some factories' outputs / periods as better or worse than others.

There are also a number of commercial Mauser 98 based actions around, the most common and very well made being the British Parker-Hale M81, M82, M84 series which used improved 98 actions (bolt shroud and trigger / safety all changed completely and much better than the military type). They were made by the Spanish La Corunna arsenal, and were also sold in the US as actions alone for custom rifles under the 'Santa Barbara Mauser' name. (Note, not all P-H rifles use the improved 'sporterised' Spanish action - many early 1100 and 1200 models used ex K98 and similar military actions from surplus rifles modified with new bolt handles and other improvements.)

 

[2506]

The 98 Mauser action is the one you want to build a 6.5X55 on. You can load the 6.5X55 quite a bit hotter than most load data states using the stronger 98 action. Most all the load data for the 6.5X55 is for the small ring 96 Swede action and is under 46000 CUP. With the stronger 98 action you can jump that up safely. I have found that the longer the barrel the better for the 6.5X55. Use at least a 24" barrel. The Mauser action is a great hunting rifle action. The lock time is a bit slow to make it a bench rest accurate rifle though.

 

[Thauglor]

Building on Mauser actions has been done before. Both the Kongsberg M59 (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_M59) and the Schultz & Larsen M52 (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schultz_%26_Larsen_M52_Target_Rifle) were built on military k98 actions.

The Swedish also built many of target rifles on their small ring 96 actions. The most produced were the CG63, after that came the CG80. I have owned and shot the CG63 before, very accurate but sold it to fund an XTC match rifle. I currently have on order a CG80 as well.
CG63: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Mauser
CG80: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?183419-The-rise-and-fall-of-the-CG80

And the achievable accuracy of the 80: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?295082-Ever-wonder-how-accurate-a-CG80-can-be

 

[normmatzen]

I built a sporter based on a VZ24 M98 action. I bought the action on gunbroker from a guy selling off some actions Kimber had re-worked years ago.

I bought a military 7X57 barrel for a large ring action and had a gunsmith in Oregon trim, blue and fit the barrel to the action. He actually blued the action as well. I fitted a different safety lever as well as a Bold trigger then put the whole thing in a Microfit stock.

I would also look at the Swedish Mausers being sold by SAMCO. They are already the caliber you are looking for.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi cjmac,hi all

CJ,I had posted this during the night but it was deleted during the maintainance operation(good on you Boss and assistants.... ;D)so I'm gonna rewrite it as I remember it was,luckily!!!Why don't you try the CZ 550 long action,it's quite close to the K 98 in fact,quite cheap(Brownells used to retail them for about $440 in 2006),a used one might turn out a good bargain on ebay or something.They're tough,sturdy,all steel but for the floor plate that is heavy plastic(no prob with it on mine so far),you could probably boost your 6.5x55 loads with no pressure signs well beyond the "regular" recommended loads...Hoping it helps. Good luck and a very merry Xmas to all of you gentlemen.

 

[cjmac]

Lots of good ideas, iv never loaded for the 6.5x55 so its going to be a new thing to me . Plus im still trying to think of the best twist rate i should go with. And who i want to get my barrel from this time. Iv had shilen barrels befor and it was a good one not bad price either

 

[jonbearman]

Why go through all the bs finding a k98 when you can build one off a remington,and incidently they chambered their classic for one year in the 6.5 swede as well as ruger and savage.Today you can build up a rifle of your choice from the remington with loads of aftermarket parts or even easier is the savage which requires no gunsmith to do this project.

 

[benchracer]

Like NC-Clod, my last post on this subject was somehow deleted, so I will re-post the thought I was trying to convey:

The CZ 550 is currently available in 6.5x55 and is a fine example of a mauser '98 pattern rifle made with modern materials. The workmanship is high quality and the standard features of this rifle are the sort one normally encounters only in a custom rifle.

The current production Winchester Model 70 is another excellent example of a mauser type rifle made with modern materials. It can be had in .264 Winchester Magnum, which responds quite well to being loaded down to 6.5x55 levels, while retaining the ability to shoot fast and flat with streamlined VLD's.

If you simply have the itch to build a rifle on a mauser action, I completely understand the desire to scratch that itch. I have done it myself several times and have always been pleased with the results. OTOH, I really love my Winchester Model 70 in .264 WM and my CZ 550 Magnum in .375 H&H. It all depends on which road you wish to travel. There are some fine options either way.

 

[benchracer]

Lots of good ideas, iv never loaded for the 6.5x55 so its going to be a new thing to me . Plus im still trying to think of the best twist rate i should go with. And who i want to get my barrel from this time. Iv had shilen barrels befor and it was a good one not bad price either

Both of my Swedes wear 9 twist Shilen barrels. I haven't shot the second one yet, but the first of the two handles Berger 140g VLD's very accurately (easily sub 1/2 MOA). Many people say that a 9 twist doesn't work with the VLD type bullets, but that has not been my experience.

To be on the safe side, and to give yourself more options, an 8 twist is a good idea. One thing to consider if you decide to go with one of the faster 6.5's, is the availability of an even higher bc 160g VLD from Matrix bullets. That, especially, is where an 8 twist barrel would pay dividends.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi again CJ,hi all

This thread seems to be getting a bit hot,very good...CJ as to your question concerning twist,I'd bet 1/8.5 would be the good way to go,it can handle practically all weight bullets,particularly 120 and 140,so I believe you should inquire about this info and try to get documented advice.Good luck anyway,and good shooting.