mauser boltface

[shriker]

I acquired (free) a large ring Interarms mark x action many years ago. Ive ordered a 30 cal. barrel short chambered in 30-06.and checked bolt face. It is opened up to accept magnum cases. What is the problem using the smaller case head. I have a 330 win. mag reamer and a 30-06 reamer, but I would really like an `06 Shriker

 

[shortgrass]

The extractor may not grab it reliably.

 

[swd]

If you put the correct extractor on it, it might work ok. No guarantees..

 

[std7mag]

You aquired a Whitworth Mark X action, imported by Interarms.

Anyways, as said previously, the extractor may not grab the case lip.

 

[shriker]

I am more concerned about safety with the smaller rim not supported. Shriker

 

[Ggmac]

Get the correct bolt or use a magnum cartridge. You could always have a spacer ring silver soldered on the bolt face , but itll be cheaper to find a bolt . Almost Any larger ring std length 98 mauser bolt should fit . As long as its bolt handle has been modified for scope use .
Ive modified dozens of std 98 bolt faces to use 222 /223 cartridges. If you only use a std extractor, itll pull the case partially out of the chamber and drop it . No safety concerns , just a non eject situation.

 

[shortgrass]

If you put the correct extractor on it, it might work ok. No guarantees..

Even if you'd put an extractor for a 8 x 57mm on it (be the same extractor used for a .30/06) it will give insufficient "grab" to pull the case to the fixed ejector. It may pull from the chamber, but chances are it'd drop the case before it could be 'ejected'. The bolt face is just too big. New magnum extractors might be available from Zastava USA, standard extractors might be, too. But there is no simple change of extractors on a Mausers. For best results, any extractor change would need to be 'tuned'. As Ggmac noted, you need a bolt with a standard bolt face and an extractor to go along with it.

 

[shriker]

Even if you'd put an extractor for a 8 x 57mm on it (be the same extractor used for a .30/06) it will give insufficient "grab" to pull the case to the fixed ejector. It may pull from the chamber, but chances are it'd drop the case before it could be 'ejected'. The bolt face is just too big. New magnum extractors might be available from Zastava USA, standard extractors might be, too. But there is no simple change of extractors on a Mausers. For best results, any extractor change would need to be 'tuned'. As Ggmac noted, you need a bolt with a standard bolt face and an extractor to go along with it.

Shortgrass I know what you mean. I`ll need to improvise with the extracter. What I`m concerned about is the safety If I have to I`ll chamber it to 300 Win. Mag. I have a reamer I haven't used in 55 years. But I`d rather chamber it for an `06. I`ve built so many 300 mags in another lifetime. I had a great smith business back then, before I had a total fire. It took my house and business. Total, everything. I gave up and never looked back. My mistake. shriker

 

[Ggmac]

what is with Safety ? Bolt face still hits the cartridge. No mauser bolt is going to support the solid case head . Even if it did it would have no bearing on safety , the cartridge sticks out aprx .110 and most cases are solid from the .200 line down ( all but ballon cases and some ppc ) . As long as you chamber it correctly youll be safe , it wont eject or extract but youll be safe . If you were a smith Ive got hundreds of mauser bolt bodies , unbent you could weld a handle on .

 

[shriker]

what is with Safety ? Bolt face still hits the cartridge. No mauser bolt is going to support the solid case head . Even if it did it would have no bearing on safety , the cartridge sticks out aprx .110 and most cases are solid from the .200 line down ( all but ballon cases and some ppc ) . As long as you chamber it correctly youll be safe , it wont eject or extract but youll be safe . If you were a smith Ive got hundreds of mauser bolt bodies , unbent you could weld a handle on .

Got me between a rock and a hard place. I could take the easy way out and rechamber my new blank to 300 win mag and be done with it, BUT I really want an `06. Had one I made back in the `60s. Springfield action std. 4 land barrel and it would shoot a moa most of the day. Reloads. I don't remember working over any mauser actions and extractors and if some sort of an extractor can be worked over. Maybe the best recourse is to solder a sleeve into the bolt face . I`ve put a couple hours into jeweling it already. Shriker

 

[Lee in Texas]

Are all other dimensions the same as 30-06? If it is set up for .375 H&H length cartridges, I’m sure you would have no trouble trading to to someone for their 30-06 action.

 

[Ggmac]

If the action was for a magnum cartridge the feed rails may not feed 30-06 cases .you can compare the rails to a std military mauser and see the difference, not only in location but in distance across one rail to the other .

 

[shortgrass]

Got me between a rock and a hard place. I could take the easy way out and rechamber my new blank to 300 win mag and be done with it, BUT I really want an `06. Had one I made back in the `60s. Springfield action std. 4 land barrel and it would shoot a moa most of the day. Reloads. I don't remember working over any mauser actions and extractors and if some sort of an extractor can be worked over. Maybe the best recourse is to solder a sleeve into the bolt face . I`ve put a couple hours into jeweling it already. Shriker

The Mauser '98 or any action with a 'claw' type extractor relies on the opposing edge of the bolt face to keep the extractor from just pushing the cartridge away from it, and when it does if the bolt face is too big it no longer extracts /functions reliably as the extractor no longer will have a positive 'hook' on the cartridge case. General rule of thumb; never do any cosmetic work until all mechanical work is complete and functional. Would I jewel the bolt and then weld a sporter handle on? HECK NO! Would I blue the metal and then start fitting metal to wood? NOT A CHANCE! Custom work proceeds in a certain order for a reason.......