In my life time so far I have had a ton of fire arms but never a Mauser actioned rifle. I know absolutely nothing about them. I am interested in 1 of these but need to have a little back ground on them. The rifle is said to have a Mauser Supreme action and is in 243. It is a wood stock rifle and appears to be a hunting rifle. Are the actions any good and are they hard to find parts? How about the trigger in them, are they junk and can you buy anything aftermarket for them. It has front sights but no rear sites. Are scope mounts easily obtainable for them. It is supposed to have been made or the rifle built between 58 and 59. I have heard a lot of people talk about them over the years but have never handled any of them. If you ever wanted it rebarreled are they a pain in the butt? Do the actions come in different sizes? Just not sure if it is a complete factory rifle or if a lot of these were pieced together.
Somebody school me on FN Mauser rifles
- Thread starter dtucker
- Start date
IMO some of the best Mauser 98 actions made. By your description it sounds like a commercial model post war production, not a converted mauser 98. I have a converted 98 FN Mauser in sporting config rebarrelled to 7x57. Clasic rifle.
Parts, hell yes, many 98 parts are interchangable as the M98 is the basis for many many many sporting rifles, from deer rifles to African dangerous game rifles, from backyard "smiths" to the likes of holland and holland and Rigby used M98 actions.
Do your research on Mauser rifles, you will soon learn that they are the 'parent' of most modern actions. They are well known to be great actions to build custom rifles from. Parts from old surplus to new current manufacture are all available. Most trigger manufacturers will have drop in triggers.
Again FN Mausers are one of the better mausers to build from. I dont think you could go wrong with a non military 98 from FN either. Others may have a different opinion though .
Parts, hell yes, many 98 parts are interchangable as the M98 is the basis for many many many sporting rifles, from deer rifles to African dangerous game rifles, from backyard "smiths" to the likes of holland and holland and Rigby used M98 actions.
Do your research on Mauser rifles, you will soon learn that they are the 'parent' of most modern actions. They are well known to be great actions to build custom rifles from. Parts from old surplus to new current manufacture are all available. Most trigger manufacturers will have drop in triggers.
Again FN Mausers are one of the better mausers to build from. I dont think you could go wrong with a non military 98 from FN either. Others may have a different opinion though .
Mausers were made starting in the late 1800's. Almost every bolt action rifle takes cues off of the Mauser.
Over the years, there have been different sizes of Mauser actions made, from many different countries.
Barrels come in essentially 3 sizes.
Large ring, small ring, and Japanese.
Getting an old military barrel off can be a pain sometimes.
New barrels screw into the receiver and are torqued, no barrel nut like a Savage.
There is a ton of aftermarket, and factory parts available.
If you order a stock, it may need some hand inletting, and the bolt handle may not be cut out. This due to many of the older military actions having a straight bolt, and being cut/reshaped for use with a scope.
If doing a custom build, the Mauser action is still very desirable. And new Mauser actions can still be had from Mauser themselves and Domoulin (a division of Herstal).
Older actions are best to have the serial number matching on the bolt and action. I've seen some seriously sloppy fit with non matching parts.
Hoosier Gunworks used to have a listing of all the different actions with measurements on their website.
In all it's hard to go wrong with a Mauser action. Do some research (there is literally tons of data out there!).
Over the years, there have been different sizes of Mauser actions made, from many different countries.
Barrels come in essentially 3 sizes.
Large ring, small ring, and Japanese.
Getting an old military barrel off can be a pain sometimes.
New barrels screw into the receiver and are torqued, no barrel nut like a Savage.
There is a ton of aftermarket, and factory parts available.
If you order a stock, it may need some hand inletting, and the bolt handle may not be cut out. This due to many of the older military actions having a straight bolt, and being cut/reshaped for use with a scope.
If doing a custom build, the Mauser action is still very desirable. And new Mauser actions can still be had from Mauser themselves and Domoulin (a division of Herstal).
Older actions are best to have the serial number matching on the bolt and action. I've seen some seriously sloppy fit with non matching parts.
Hoosier Gunworks used to have a listing of all the different actions with measurements on their website.
In all it's hard to go wrong with a Mauser action. Do some research (there is literally tons of data out there!).
Ramblerman
Gold $$ Contributor
Of all the Mausers to build on, the commercial FN with no magazine notch cutout would get my vote, everytime. They are a thing of beauty for a "pretty" hunting rifle.
If it's Eastern European, i.e. Interarms Mark X, or the like it will never be as nice, even after many hours of filing, sanding and lapping to remove poor workmanship. (Tool marks)
If it's Eastern European, i.e. Interarms Mark X, or the like it will never be as nice, even after many hours of filing, sanding and lapping to remove poor workmanship. (Tool marks)
The Interarms Mark X, was actually made (at least mine) by Whitworth of England. Supposedly they used FN made actions.
Interarms is an importer only.
Ramblerman
Gold $$ Contributor
Mine was made in Yugoslavia... Or was it Czech?..need to look it up.... absolutely garbage compared to my brothers FN. Was yours a magnum?
Edit: It was Zastava in Yugo. The barreled action would be a tomato stake if I still had it.
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jackson1
Silver $$ Contributor
Have 2, both Belgian made from the 50's. Both actions were the foundation for hunting rifles, built by my great uncles, in the late 50's. One a 7-06 AI 40 degree shoulder and the other has a 30 degree should. Have hunted the 40 degree rifle for over 30 years and has never let me down. Acquired the 30 degree should rifle a couple of years ago in a trade with a cousin. Have 3 pound triggers, Buehler scope mounts, older Leupold scopes and custom made stocks. No Mauser expert, but really enjoy them. Have owned or shot about every commercial action (non custom) available in North America believe they measure up to any of them. Hopefully the last big game rifle I will use.
Sears sold FN made Model 98 in a sporter configuration for quite awhile they were Models 50 and 51, these are real sleepers if you are looking for a 98 to shoot as is or to use the action for a custom build. Stamping Sears or J.C. Higgins on a gun makes some turn their nose up and lead to a lower price, which makes the Mauser hunter a happy camper.
FN Made actions have changed the machining to add a cutout on the left rail of the inner ring. The right rail cutout allows for the extractor. My understanding is that it was changed to allow for ease of manufacturing. FN receivers I think were made from good steel and I would imagine they are strong well made receivers. Over the years I have owned several and still own a J.C.Higgins imported F.N. in 30-06.
Some of the modern Eastern made actions have a little different screw spacing than original Mausers. They are good actions and make up into some fine hunting rifles but I don't think they are competitive with the modern custom actions made today. The extraction and ejection is very good. I expect that no modern actions use the original concept because of ease of manufacture.
Some of the modern Eastern made actions have a little different screw spacing than original Mausers. They are good actions and make up into some fine hunting rifles but I don't think they are competitive with the modern custom actions made today. The extraction and ejection is very good. I expect that no modern actions use the original concept because of ease of manufacture.
From the time I started gunsmithing I have held this opinion:
If you want a target/varmint rifle which is easy to work with a provides consistent accuracy, you want to build on a Remington
If you want a classy hunting/target rifle with some panache, you want to build on a Winchester Model 70.
If you want a stone-reliable, rugged, never-fail, hunting rifle with classic roots, you want to build on a Mauser. A Mauser action, with the original trigger, cannot be made to fail. As long as it is used for the family of cartridge for which it was designed, it will feed flawlessly. You can remove and replace the extractor or firing pin, in the field, with no tools. I have never seen a failure of the ejector or bolt stop. I use the original, two-stage trigger and have them set to break at 3 pounds even and, again, failure is unheard of. This is the beauty of the Mauser; it is built to work and work it does. WH
If you want a target/varmint rifle which is easy to work with a provides consistent accuracy, you want to build on a Remington
If you want a classy hunting/target rifle with some panache, you want to build on a Winchester Model 70.
If you want a stone-reliable, rugged, never-fail, hunting rifle with classic roots, you want to build on a Mauser. A Mauser action, with the original trigger, cannot be made to fail. As long as it is used for the family of cartridge for which it was designed, it will feed flawlessly. You can remove and replace the extractor or firing pin, in the field, with no tools. I have never seen a failure of the ejector or bolt stop. I use the original, two-stage trigger and have them set to break at 3 pounds even and, again, failure is unheard of. This is the beauty of the Mauser; it is built to work and work it does. WH
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
dtucker,
Be careful of some of the information posted about Mausers on forums. Not everyone is qualified to discuss this topic.
Here is a short, bite-sized article on the M98 type rifles:
https://revivaler.com/the-mauser-m98-current-production/
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/b...unting-how-mauser-model-98-made-history-92111
If you enjoy reading about history and the modern variations of the Mauser pick up a copy of Jon Speed's book:
Mauser: Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles
This can be pricey, so ask around to find a copy to borrow.
Concern for parts is a non-starter. With somewhere in the vicinity of 100,000,000 (that's 100 million) Mausers produced, there is usually no lack of parts. Just be careful of the variations as there are several which will affect the parts you need. Rarely do Mausers need repair unless the owner loses parts or does something stupid. Mausers have been the base and backbone of the custom hunting rifle for 100 years and are still being produced by a few manufacturers.
Triggers, bottom metal, stocks in varieties, barrels, etc. are available here in the U.S. The actions are easy to rebarrel and the M98s were the original DIY dream come true.
Be careful of some of the information posted about Mausers on forums. Not everyone is qualified to discuss this topic.
Here is a short, bite-sized article on the M98 type rifles:
https://revivaler.com/the-mauser-m98-current-production/
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/b...unting-how-mauser-model-98-made-history-92111
If you enjoy reading about history and the modern variations of the Mauser pick up a copy of Jon Speed's book:
Mauser: Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles
This can be pricey, so ask around to find a copy to borrow.
Concern for parts is a non-starter. With somewhere in the vicinity of 100,000,000 (that's 100 million) Mausers produced, there is usually no lack of parts. Just be careful of the variations as there are several which will affect the parts you need. Rarely do Mausers need repair unless the owner loses parts or does something stupid. Mausers have been the base and backbone of the custom hunting rifle for 100 years and are still being produced by a few manufacturers.
Triggers, bottom metal, stocks in varieties, barrels, etc. are available here in the U.S. The actions are easy to rebarrel and the M98s were the original DIY dream come true.
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If it is a FN Mauser, it WILL have markings to prove it SOMEWHERE on the action. At one time the FN action was imported by so many companies over the years it could have any mark visible, but deep down it will have a Belgian mark somewhere. The original Browning “Safari” hunting rifle (one of THE BEST sporting rifles made) were FN rifles. PO Ackley hisself sold a line of rifles with FN Actions.
The triggers on these commercial guns were either the two stage military style or (at least by 1958) had a single stage adjustable trigger. It kind of depended on who imported it.
The triggers on these commercial guns were either the two stage military style or (at least by 1958) had a single stage adjustable trigger. It kind of depended on who imported it.
Joe Maisto
jam711
I have one. Wouldn't trade it or anything. Have a Redfield widefield 3x9 on it as well. What a great combination. Stamped..."made in Belgium" !
Great build quality. Be careful; they’re like Pringles. You may not be able to stop at one. My first was bought over the internet to be a donor for a custom project. It was a very early (1948) model imported by Firearms International. It was just too nice to take apart. I have 11 now; 8 commercial and 3 ex-military.
The beautiful pictures of the Mauser action in Kurz's entry is missing a VERY important piece
that is very often eliminated in sporterized Mauser actions.
The rear action mount screw should have a metal sleeve around it. This sleeve is a pillar. Mauser actions get a lot of their accuracy from being pillar bedded. The front pillar is cast on to the front mount but the rear pillar can be removed or simply ignored. Not a good idea.
My home built VZ-24 98 action, made in Czechoslovakia during WWII. was carefully bedded with its rear pillar and will shoot less than 1 MOA with a cut down military 7X57 barrel!
that is very often eliminated in sporterized Mauser actions.
The rear action mount screw should have a metal sleeve around it. This sleeve is a pillar. Mauser actions get a lot of their accuracy from being pillar bedded. The front pillar is cast on to the front mount but the rear pillar can be removed or simply ignored. Not a good idea.
My home built VZ-24 98 action, made in Czechoslovakia during WWII. was carefully bedded with its rear pillar and will shoot less than 1 MOA with a cut down military 7X57 barrel!
I have one of those VZ-24s that was made my checks captured by the nazis handed to romanians and captured by the soviets. It is in a pretty sad state but stills shoots.
I almost never shoot it, the sights are TERRIBLE. The rear notch needs to be found using a magnifying glass.
I almost never shoot it, the sights are TERRIBLE. The rear notch needs to be found using a magnifying glass.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
Actually, neither action has the sleeve you mention because I make them in bulk and grind them to size as I need them depending on the stock. So when I assemble an action for pictures, I rarely put that rear sleeve on in an attempt to to avoid someone mentioning that it might be too long...
Have a nice day!
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